Litter Cover
Benchmark Value
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 18 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 17 guard(s) constrain the result.
Contributing Benchmarks
Evidence & Context
Excessive litter accumulation (e.g., ... >40-50% persistent thatch in grasslands...)
proportion of the soil surface covered by detached, non-living plant material such as leaves, bark, twigs, and dead grasses
A maximum litter cover of 40% in native grasslands marks the upper detrimental threshold above which plant diversity may be reduced by smothering.
Persistent litter/thatch levels significantly above the optimal range can become detrimental to overall plant diversity by smothering smaller plants and preventing germination.
Sources (3)
ACT Government. Environmental Offsets Ecological Monitoring Program Reports
View SourceDorrough, J., Stol, J., & McIntyre, S. (2010). Native grasslands in the PlainsTender incentive scheme: Conservation value, management and monitoring. The Rangeland Journal, 32(2), 235-246
View Source
Gibbons, P, Lindenmayer, DB, Barry, SC, Tanton, MT & Michael, D 2008, 'The ecological requirements of Yellow Box, Eucalyptus melliodora: a review', Ecological Management & Restoration, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 203-209
View Source