Gully Density

AUS-TMS-LVG-GUL General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 20 to 25 m/ha
Optimal Range: 20 to 25
Direction: Lower is desirable ↓
Form: OptimalRange

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 6 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 5 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

Assuming that gully density (total gully length per unit area) scales proportionally with mean gully length within comparable landscape units, a 50% reduction in gully length in the ungrazed/lightly grazed catchments relative to the Weany Creek catchment (45 m/ha) suggests an estimated gully density in the range of 20 3 25 m/ha for these minimally disturbed sites.

Metric Definition:

Gully density defined as total gully length per unit area (m/ha)

Justification:

The benchmark value of 20-25 m/ha for the "best available condition" is an inference based on the statement that gully lengths in ungrazed/lightly grazed areas were approximately half those in a grazed catchment with 45 m/ha. This is supported by peer-reviewed data from Wilkinson et al. (2018) in the Burdekin catchment, relevant to Australian Tropical Monsoonal Savannas under livestock grazing.

Sources (1)

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 Journal

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

View Source

Supporting Sources (8)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Can changes to pasture management reduce runoff and sediment loss to the Great Barrier Reef? The results of a 10-year study in the Burdekin catchment, Australia - ResearchGate, accessed May 14, 2025,
(PDF) Can changes to pasture management reduce runoff and sediment loss to the Great Barrier Reef? The results of a 10-year study in the Burdekin catchment, Australia - ResearchGate, accessed May 14, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) Can changes to pasture management reduce runoff and sediment loss to the Great Barrier Reef? The results of a 10-year study in the Burdekin catchment, Australia - ResearchGate

View Source
Preview of (PDF) Monitoring Australian Rangeland Sites Using Landscape Function Indicators and Ground- and Remote-Based Techniques - ResearchGate, accessed July 16, 2025,
(PDF) Monitoring Australian Rangeland Sites Using Landscape Function Indicators and Ground- and Remote-Based Techniques - ResearchGate, accessed July 16, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) Monitoring Australian Rangeland Sites Using Landscape Function Indicators and Ground- and Remote-Based Techniques - ResearchGate, accessed July 16, 2025

View Source
Preview of Clearing savannas for use as rangelands in Queensland: Altered landscapes and water-erosion processes | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed May 14, 2025,
Clearing savannas for use as rangelands in Queensland: Altered landscapes and water-erosion processes | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed May 14, 2025,
Methodology Source GreyLiterature

Clearing savannas for use as rangelands in Queensland: Altered landscapes and water-erosion processes | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed May 14, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space-for-time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments, Australia - ResearchGate, accessed July 19, 2025,
Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space-for-time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments, Australia - ResearchGate, accessed July 19, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space-for-time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments, Australia - ResearchGate, accessed July 17, 2025

View Source
Preview of E528M Grazing management that protects sensitive areas from gully erosion - Natural Resources Conservation Service, accessed July 30, 2025
E528M Grazing management that protects sensitive areas from gully erosion - Natural Resources Conservation Service, accessed July 30, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Grazing impacts on gully dynamics indicate approaches for gully erosion control in northeast Australia - The Australian National University, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of E528M Grazing management that protects sensitive areas from gully erosion - Natural Resources Conservation Service, accessed May 14, 2025,
E528M Grazing management that protects sensitive areas from gully erosion - Natural Resources Conservation Service, accessed May 14, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Grazing management systems for cattle in the tropical savannas of northern Australia - UQ eSpace - The University of Queensland, accessed May 14, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Grazing Management in Tropical Savannas: Utilization and Rest Strategies to Manipulate Rangeland Condition - ResearchGate, accessed July 19, 2025
Grazing Management in Tropical Savannas: Utilization and Rest Strategies to Manipulate Rangeland Condition - ResearchGate, accessed July 19, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Effects of grazing on gully erosion rates in red goldfields soil on ..., accessed May 14, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Linking hydrological connectivity to gully erosion in savanna rangelands tributary to the Great Barrier Reef using structure‐from - ResearchOnline@JCU, accessed May 14, 2025,
Linking hydrological connectivity to gully erosion in savanna rangelands tributary to the Great Barrier Reef using structure‐from - ResearchOnline@JCU, accessed May 14, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Linking hydrological connectivity to gully erosion in savanna rangelands tributary to the Great Barrier Reef using structure‐from - ResearchOnline@JCU, accessed May 14, 2025,

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical Monsoonal Savannas
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Not Stated
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

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

Notes

No upper detrimental threshold 6 higher values indicate more gully erosion and are less desirable. This range serves as an aspirational target for sustainably grazed landscapes aiming for high environmental health and stability. Lower gully densities indicate better environmental condition, with active gully erosion ideally approaching zero. The benchmark is not a static pristine wilderness state but a dynamic equilibrium achievable under conscientious grazing management. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.