Gully Density

AUS-AIF-AGR-GUL General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

0 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 concept of a minimum required density is not applicable. The critical threshold is the geomorphic threshold of initiation, where a stable landscape (0 m/ha) transitions to a degrading state (>0 m/ha).

Metric Definition:

Geomorphic threshold of gully initiation where a stable landscape transitions to active gully formation.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the geomorphic threshold at which a stable landscape begins to experience active gully erosion, marking the transition from stable to degrading conditions.

Justification:

This threshold is influenced by slope, runoff, soil resistance, and land management, representing the tipping point from stable to degrading landscape.

Sources (1)

Preview of (PDF) The Topographic Threshold of Gully Erosion and Contributing Factors

(PDF) The Topographic Threshold of Gully Erosion and Contributing Factors GreyLiterature

(PDF) The Topographic Threshold of Gully Erosion and Contributing Factors, accessed July 17, 2025

Supporting Sources (14)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Drivers of Gully Erosion and its Socio-economic and Environmental Effects in a Tropical Semi-arid Environment - ResearchGate, accessed May 11, 2025,

(PDF) Drivers of Gully Erosion and its Socio-economic and Environmental Effects in a Tropical Semi-arid Environment - ResearchGate, accessed May 11, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) Drivers of Gully Erosion and its Socio-economic and Environmental Effects in a Tropical Semi-arid Environment - ResearchGate, accessed July 17, 2025

Preview of Alluvial Gully Erosion Rates and Processes Across the Mitchell River Fluvial Megafan in Northern Queensland, Australia - Resilient Landscapes Hub, accessed July 8, 2025,

Alluvial Gully Erosion Rates and Processes Across the Mitchell River Fluvial Megafan in Northern Queensland, Australia - Resilient Landscapes Hub, accessed July 8, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

What is the best technique to estimate topographic thresholds of ..., accessed July 17, 2025

Preview of ecollaboration.org.au, accessed May 15, 2025,

ecollaboration.org.au, accessed May 15, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Gully Erosion | ECOllaboration

Preview of Gully erosion - Enviro Data SA, accessed July 18, 2025

Gully erosion - Enviro Data SA, accessed July 18, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Gully erosion - Enviro Data SA

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,

Direct Evidence Journal

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

Preview of Gully Morphological Characteristics and Topographic Threshold Determined by UAV in a Small Watershed on the Loess Plateau - MDPI, accessed July 16, 2025,

Gully Morphological Characteristics and Topographic Threshold Determined by UAV in a Small Watershed on the Loess Plateau - MDPI, accessed July 16, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Lessons for Gully Management | NESP TWQ

Preview of Impact of Soil Erosion on Production in Cropping Systems. II.* Simulation of Production and Erosion Risks for a Wheat

Impact of Soil Erosion on Production in Cropping Systems. II.* Simulation of Production and Erosion Risks for a Wheat

Contextual Support Journal

Impact of Soil Erosion on Production in Cropping Systems. II.* Simulation of Production and Erosion Risks for a Wheat, accessed July 17, 2025

Preview of Managing soils - Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, accessed August 12, 2025

Managing soils - Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, accessed August 12, 2025

Direct Evidence Government

Repairing gully erosion in Western Australia | Department of Primary ..., accessed July 17, 2025

Preview of National Guidance on Acid Sulfate Soils - Water Quality Australia

National Guidance on Acid Sulfate Soils - Water Quality Australia

Contextual Support Journal

Managing soils - Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, accessed July 17, 2025

Preview of nesplandscapes.edu.au, accessed May 15, 2025,

nesplandscapes.edu.au, accessed May 15, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

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

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

Preview of Soil management guides - NSW Department of Primary Industries

Soil management guides - NSW Department of Primary Industries

Contextual Support Journal

Soil management guides - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 17, 2025

Preview of Soil management guides - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 30, 2025,

Soil management guides - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 30, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Managing soils during and after drought in cropping systems - Fact sheet - Soil CRC, accessed July 17, 2025

Preview of Study area (all shaded areas), consisting of > 70% of mainland... | Download Scientific Diagram - ResearchGate

Study area (all shaded areas), consisting of > 70% of mainland... | Download Scientific Diagram - ResearchGate

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Study area (all shaded areas), consisting of > 70% of mainland... | Download Scientific Diagram - ResearchGate, accessed July 17, 2025

Context

Region Australia
Biome Arid Inland Floodplains & Ephemeral River Systems
Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 10 Jun 2026

Notes

Best-practice management aims to avoid crossing this threshold. It is not a numeric density but a physical condition threshold. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-AIF-AGR-GUL family.