Bare Ground — Benchmark Detail

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 10 to 15 %

Optimal Range: 10 to 15

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.

Evidence & Context

Based on this synthesis, a proposed reference value for Bare Ground (%) in operational areas immediately following harvesting (excluding dedicated infrastructure like primary roads and log landings, and prior to active regeneration efforts which should further reduce it) is <10-15%.

Metric Definition:

Percentage of ground surface area that is bare soil in operational areas immediately following harvesting, excluding dedicated infrastructure.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the typical proportion of bare soil expected in tropical monsoonal savanna production forestry areas immediately after harvesting, excluding infrastructure, before regeneration efforts reduce bare ground further.

Justification:

Synthesized from the need to be significantly better than regulatory maximums; aligns with RIL principles of minimizing soil disturbance; reflects natural ecosystem tendencies for high ground cover.

Sources (1)

Preview of Queensland Department of Resources (2023) "Accepted development vegetation clearing code: Managing a native forest practice"

Queensland Department of Resources (2023) "Accepted development vegetation clearing code: Managing a native forest practice" Journal

Abstract Template - DAFF, accessed May 15, 2025

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical Monsoonal Savannas
Land Use Production Forestry
Assessment Conservation Target
Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 10 Jun 2026

Notes

This range acknowledges some transient bare ground is unavoidable during timber extraction but sets an ambitious target substantially better than regulatory minimums. This range is less than 15% bare ground.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TMS-FOR-BAR family.