Bare Ground

AUS-TMS-FOR-BAR General Low confidence

Benchmark Value

30 %
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

Based on these considerations, sustained Bare Ground (%) levels exceeding 30-40% across significant portions of a forestry coupe (i.e., not just isolated, very small patches) would likely indicate a detrimental state.

Metric Definition:

Sustained percentage of bare ground across significant portions of a forestry coupe indicating detrimental ecological state.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark marks the minimum bare ground percentage beyond which significant ecological harm is likely in tropical monsoonal savanna production forestry areas.

Justification:

Associated with significant increases in erosion risk, soil degradation, and negative impacts on biodiversity and regeneration.

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 DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 10 Jun 2026

Notes

Levels above 50% are clearly unacceptable and indicative of severe degradation.

Related Benchmarks

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

— % Low
Production Forestry · Conservation Target
OptimalRange Active v1
— % Low
Production Forestry · Conservation Target
OptimalRange Active v1
50 % Low
Production Forestry · Conservation Target
MaximumOnly Active v1