Gully Density

AUS-TSW-LVG-GUL General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

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

Scoring Curve

Scoring curve unavailable

The scoring engine could not generate a curve for this benchmark context. The primary form is OptimalRange, but the benchmark data may be missing required fields (e.g., optimal range bounds for an OptimalRange benchmark). This is typically a data quality issue in the benchmark pipeline.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

The Lower Critical Threshold for maintaining health is 0 m/ha; any value >0 indicates the system is already in a degraded state.

Metric Definition:

Lower Critical Threshold for Gully Density below which the landscape maintains health and stability.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the minimum gully density threshold in temperate semi-arid shrublands and open woodlands under livestock grazing, below which the landscape is considered healthy and stable.

Justification:

Cross-validated by land condition frameworks and ecological principles indicating any gully presence signals degradation.

Sources (1)

Preview of Synthesis of Australian Government Land Condition Frameworks and Best Management Practice Guidelines for Sustainable Grazing.
Synthesis of Australian Government Land Condition Frameworks and Best Management Practice Guidelines for Sustainable Grazing. Journal

Synthesis of Australian Government Land Condition Frameworks and Best Management Practice Guidelines for Sustainable Grazing.

View Source

Supporting Sources (1)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Can simple, on-ground vegetation and soil measures reliably indicate the health of rangelands? An application in Australia's semi-arid woodlands - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 30, 2025
Can simple, on-ground vegetation and soil measures reliably indicate the health of rangelands? An application in Australia's semi-arid woodlands - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 30, 2025
Direct Evidence Journal

The Rangeland Journal - CSIRO PUBLISHING, accessed July 10, 2025

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Vegetation Shrubland
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

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

Notes

No upper detrimental threshold — higher values indicate degradation. This threshold represents the geomorphic initiation point of gullies; values above zero indicate degradation.