Gully Density

AUS-AKW-LVG-GUL General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

1 m/ha
Direction: Lower is desirable ↓
Form: MaximumOnly

Scoring Curve

This curve shows how a field measurement for this indicator would score across all available benchmark forms in this context.

Evidence & Context

The value < 1 m/ha of active gully length is a quantitative proxy for this "no significant gullying" state.

Metric Definition:

Active gully length per hectare representing gully density as an indicator of landscape degradation.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the maximum acceptable gully density in Arid Karstic Woodlands under livestock grazing, indicating that active gully length should be less than 1 meter per hectare to maintain landscape stability and prevent degradation.

Justification:

This benchmark is derived using a weight-of-evidence approach due to the absence of direct data, supported by geomorphological principles, management impact studies, and analogous grazing system data.

Sources (1)

Preview of Gully mapping and drivers in the grazing lands of the Burdekin catchment (RP66G) Summary Report - Queensland Government publications, accessed August 1, 2025,
Gully mapping and drivers in the grazing lands of the Burdekin catchment (RP66G) Summary Report - Queensland Government publications, accessed August 1, 2025, Journal

Grazing impacts on gully dynamics indicate approaches for gully erosion control in northeast Australia - The Australian National University

View Source

Supporting Sources (20)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of ( a ) Shaded relief of the Nullarbor Plain showing various... | Download Scientific Diagram - ResearchGate, accessed July 26, 2025
( a ) Shaded relief of the Nullarbor Plain showing various... | Download Scientific Diagram - ResearchGate, accessed July 26, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

When the Nullarbor heats up, these are the small caps with first-mover advantage

View Source
Preview of An inventory and condition survey of the Western Australian part of the Nullarbor region - DPIRD's Digital library
An inventory and condition survey of the Western Australian part of the Nullarbor region - DPIRD's Digital library
Contextual Support Journal

Pastoral Land Condition Report - 2007/2008 Financial Year

View Source
Preview of Assessing the impact of overgrazing on soil erosion in arid regions at a range of spatial scales
Assessing the impact of overgrazing on soil erosion in arid regions at a range of spatial scales
Contextual Support

'Tolerable' hillslope soil erosion rates in Australia: Linking science and policy | Request PDF, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Barwon Darling and Far Western Water Quality Objectives explained - NSW Government, accessed July 25, 2025,
Barwon Darling and Far Western Water Quality Objectives explained - NSW Government, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Barwon Darling and Far Western Water Quality Objectives explained - NSW Government, accessed July 25, 2025

View Source
Preview of biodiversity - Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed July 23, 2025,
biodiversity - Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed July 23, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Our natural environments - NSW National Parks, accessed July 23, 2025

View Source
Preview of Chapter 13 Gully erosion and its control - Queensland Government publications, accessed August 12, 2025
Chapter 13 Gully erosion and its control - Queensland Government publications, accessed August 12, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

The hydrogeomorphic influences on alluvial gully erosion along the Mitchell River fluvial megafan

View Source
Preview of Gully density map of the study assessment area (kilometres... - ResearchGate, accessed August 1, 2025,
Gully density map of the study assessment area (kilometres... - ResearchGate, accessed August 1, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

(PDF) Gully erosion prediction across a large region ... - ResearchGate, accessed July 20, 2025

View Source
Preview of Gully erosion | Erosion | Soil | Farm management | Agriculture Victoria, accessed May 13, 2025
Gully erosion | Erosion | Soil | Farm management | Agriculture Victoria, accessed May 13, 2025
Methodology Source Journal

Grazing impacts on gully dynamics indicate approaches for gully erosion control in northeast Australia - ResearchGate

View Source
Preview of Gully erosion prediction across a large region: Murray–Darling Basin, Australia, accessed August 1, 2025,
Gully erosion prediction across a large region: Murray–Darling Basin, Australia, accessed August 1, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

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

View Source
Preview of Karst features and remnant dune systems on the Nullarbor Plain, Australia, accessed July 26, 2025,
Karst features and remnant dune systems on the Nullarbor Plain, Australia, accessed July 26, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Repairing gully erosion in Western Australia - Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

View Source
Preview of Land management for graziers | Business Queensland, accessed August 8, 2025
Land management for graziers | Business Queensland, accessed August 8, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Managing Gully Erosion - NQ Dry Tropics

View Source
Preview of nesplandscapes.edu.au, accessed May 15, 2025,
nesplandscapes.edu.au, accessed May 15, 2025,
Methodology Source Journal

Alluvial Gully Erosion Rates and Processes Across the Mitchell ...

View Source
Preview of Nullarbor bioregion - DCCEEW, accessed July 27, 2025
Nullarbor bioregion - DCCEEW, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Nullarbor bioregion - DCCEEW, accessed July 24, 2025

View Source
Preview of Nullarbor Plain - Wikipedia, accessed July 25, 2025,
Nullarbor Plain - Wikipedia, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Nullarbor Plain - Wikipedia, accessed July 24, 2025

View Source
Preview of NVIS Fact sheet MVG 22 – Chenopod shrublands, samphire shrublands and forblands - DCCEEW, accessed July 24, 2025
NVIS Fact sheet MVG 22 – Chenopod shrublands, samphire shrublands and forblands - DCCEEW, accessed July 24, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

A Case for Below-Ground Dispersal? Insights into the Biology, Ecology and Conservation of Blind Cave Spiders in the Genus Troglodiplura (Mygalomorphae: Anamidae) - PubMed Central, accessed July 23, 2025

View Source
Preview of Overgrazing & Reducing Grazing Pressure | Bush Heritage Australia
Overgrazing & Reducing Grazing Pressure | Bush Heritage Australia
Contextual Support

Overgrazing & Reducing Grazing Pressure | Bush Heritage Australia

View Source
Preview of Program - CSIRO, accessed August 1, 2025,
Program - CSIRO, accessed August 1, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Rehabilitation effects on gully sediment yields and vegetation in a savanna rangeland - CSIRO Research Publications Repository

View Source
Preview of Report card on sustainable natural resource use in the rangelands
Report card on sustainable natural resource use in the rangelands
Contextual Support Journal

Evaluation of tolerable erosion rates and time to critical topsoil loss in Australia., accessed July 23, 2025

View Source
Preview of The erosional impacts of grazing animals - Gaia Visions
The erosional impacts of grazing animals - Gaia Visions
Contextual Support Journal

The erosional impacts of grazing animals - Gaia Visions

View Source
Preview of www.publications.qld.gov.au, accessed May 13, 2025
www.publications.qld.gov.au, accessed May 13, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Soil condition | NSW State of the Environment

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Arid Karstic Woodlands & Shrublands
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Vegetation Woodland
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 9 Jun 2026

Notes

The benchmark represents a near-zero state of active gully density, indicating high ecological health and landscape stability. Any measurable active gully density above this threshold is considered detrimental.