Ground Cover - Tree Canopy

AUS-TSR-FOR-TCC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

40 %

Direction: Higher is desirable ↑

Form: MinimumOnly

Scoring Curve

This curve shows how a field measurement for this indicator would score across all available benchmark forms in this context. The scoring engine uses 4 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 3 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

A lower critical threshold is identified where canopy cover falls below approximately 40%, corresponding to intensive logging practices that lead to degraded ecosystem states and unsustainable recovery times of 180-220 years.

Metric Definition:

Minimum percentage of Tree Canopy Cover below which ecological integrity and productivity are compromised in production forestry.

Benchmark Definition:

Critical lower threshold of Tree Canopy Cover below which forest health and long-term productivity are significantly compromised in tropical and subtropical rainforest production forestry.

Justification:

Based on long-term ecological outcomes from intensive logging scenarios showing degraded states and long recovery times.

Sources (1)

Preview of Modelling growth, recruitments and mortality to describe and simulate dynamics of subtropical rainforests following different levels of disturbance

Modelling growth, recruitments and mortality to describe and simulate dynamics of subtropical rainforests following different levels of disturbance Journal

Modelling growth, recruitments and mortality to describe and simulate dynamics of subtropical rainforests following different levels of disturbance

View Source

Supporting Sources (10)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Australia's State of the Forests Report - 2013 - DAFF, accessed July 20, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Australia's State of the Forests Report - 2013 - DAFF

View Source

AUSTRALIA'S STATE OF THE FORESTS REPORT - DAFF, accessed July 12, 2025,

Regulatory Framework Journal

Final report Advice on finalising Draft Private Native Forestry Codes of Practice March 2022

View Source

AUSTRALIA'S STATE OF THE FORESTS REPORT - DAFF, accessed July 20, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

AUSTRALIA'S STATE OF THE FORESTS REPORT - DAFF

View Source

ecosystem services in a forest landscape facing significant changes Eleanor Rosemary Tew - CORE, accessed July 20, 2025

Contextual Support

ecosystem services in a forest landscape facing significant changes Eleanor Rosemary Tew - CORE, accessed July 20, 2025

View Source

Preview of Full article: Estimating the extent of selective timber harvesting in private native eucalypt forests with multi-temporal lidar - Taylor and Francis, accessed July 20, 2025

Full article: Estimating the extent of selective timber harvesting in private native eucalypt forests with multi-temporal lidar - Taylor and Francis, accessed July 20, 2025

Methodology Source Journal

Full article: Estimating the extent of selective timber harvesting in private native eucalypt forests with multi-temporal lidar - Taylor and Francis

View Source

Indicators of Rainforest Recovery from Disturbance - Preprints.org, accessed July 20, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Australia's native forests and wood production - DAFF

View Source

Land | State of the Environment Report 2011, accessed August 10, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Reef Trust Phase IVGully and Stream Bank Toolbox ... - DCCEEW

View Source

Land | State of the Environment Report 2011, accessed July 20, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Land | State of the Environment Report 2011

View Source

Preview of Regeneration changes in tree species abundance diversity and structure in logged and unlogged subtropical rainforest over a 36-y - CiteSeerX, accessed July 20, 2025

Regeneration changes in tree species abundance diversity and structure in logged and unlogged subtropical rainforest over a 36-y - CiteSeerX, accessed July 20, 2025

Contextual Support

Regeneration changes in tree species abundance diversity and structure in logged and unlogged subtropical rainforest over a 36-y - CiteSeerX

View Source

The Long-Term Survival and Growth of Enrichment Plantings in ..., accessed July 17, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Reforestation in the Tropics and Subtropics of Australia

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical & Subtropical Rainforests
Land Use Production Forestry
Assessment Conservation Target
Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 9 Jun 2026

Notes

Canopy cover below this threshold is associated with intensive logging and compromised ecological integrity.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TSR-FOR-TCC family.