Gully Density

AUS-AKW-AGR-GUL General High 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. The scoring engine uses 8 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 7 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

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

Evidence & Context

Therefore, the upper detrimental threshold is any value > 0 m/ha of active gully density.

Metric Definition:

Threshold of active gully density (m/ha) beyond which landscape degradation occurs.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the maximum acceptable active gully density in Arid Karstic Woodlands; any presence above zero indicates landscape degradation and failure of management to maintain stability.

Justification:

This threshold is based on the threshold-dependent nature of gully formation and the biome's extreme fragility, indicating that any active gully presence signifies systemic failure.

Sources (3)

Preview of "Human Impacts on Karst" (Gillieson, 2005)
"Human Impacts on Karst" (Gillieson, 2005)

"Human Impacts on Karst" (Gillieson, 2005)

View Source
Preview of nesplandscapes.edu.au, accessed May 15, 2025,
nesplandscapes.edu.au, accessed May 15, 2025, Journal

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

View Source
Preview of Resource condition, accessed July 27, 2025
Resource condition, accessed July 27, 2025 Journal

KARST - Earth Science Australia, accessed July 23, 2025

View Source

Supporting Sources (17)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of "Karst and agriculture in Australia" by David Gillieson and Mia Thurgate - Digital Commons @ USF - University of South Florida, accessed July 23, 2025
"Karst and agriculture in Australia" by David Gillieson and Mia Thurgate - Digital Commons @ USF - University of South Florida, accessed July 23, 2025
Contextual Support

Report card on sustainable natural resource use in the rangelands, accessed July 23, 2025

View Source
Preview of Alluvial Gully Erosion Rates and Processes Across the Mitchell River Fluvial Megafan in Northern Queensland, Australia - Resilient Landscapes Hub, accessed July 26, 2025
Alluvial Gully Erosion Rates and Processes Across the Mitchell River Fluvial Megafan in Northern Queensland, Australia - Resilient Landscapes Hub, accessed July 26, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Alluvial Gully Erosion Rates and Processes Across the Mitchell River Fluvial Megafan in Northern Queensland, Australia - Resilient Landscapes Hub, accessed July 23, 2025

View Source
Preview of AUSTRALIAN chenopod shrublands - Ecosystem Guides, accessed July 27, 2025
AUSTRALIAN chenopod shrublands - Ecosystem Guides, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Karst and agriculture in Australia - Digital Commons @ USF, accessed July 23, 2025

View Source
Preview of Chapter 13 Gully erosion and its control - Queensland Government publications, accessed August 12, 2025
Chapter 13 Gully erosion and its control - Queensland Government publications, accessed August 12, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

The hydrogeomorphic influences on alluvial gully erosion along the Mitchell River fluvial megafan

View Source
Preview of Digging up the dirt on water quality on the Great Barrier Reef - CSIRO, accessed July 19, 2025,
Digging up the dirt on water quality on the Great Barrier Reef - CSIRO, accessed July 19, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Digging up the dirt on water quality on the Great Barrier Reef - CSIRO, accessed July 23, 2025

View Source
Preview of Discover the Top 6 Benefits of Regenerative Farming in Australia, accessed August 5, 2025,
Discover the Top 6 Benefits of Regenerative Farming in Australia, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Regenerative agriculture in Australia: the changing face of farming - Frontiers, accessed July 23, 2025

View Source
Preview of Discover the Top 6 Benefits of Regenerative Farming in Australia, accessed July 22, 2025,
Discover the Top 6 Benefits of Regenerative Farming in Australia, accessed July 22, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Vast area of Nullarbor Plain protected - Australian Geographic, accessed July 23, 2025

View Source
Preview of Effects of soil degradation on infiltration rates in grazed semiarid rangelands of northeastern Patagonia, Argentina - project bedrock
Effects of soil degradation on infiltration rates in grazed semiarid rangelands of northeastern Patagonia, Argentina - project bedrock
Contextual Support Journal

Landscape rehydration and regenerative agriculture improves soil health, accessed July 23, 2025

View Source
Preview of Factors related to gully erosion in woody encroachment in south-eastern Australia | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed on May 29, 2025,
Factors related to gully erosion in woody encroachment in south-eastern Australia | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed on May 29, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Discover the Top 6 Benefits of Regenerative Farming in Australia, accessed July 23, 2025

View Source
Preview of Karst and agriculture in Australia - Digital Commons @ USF, accessed July 22, 2025,
Karst and agriculture in Australia - Digital Commons @ USF, accessed July 22, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

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

View Source
Preview of Nullarbor bioregion - DCCEEW, accessed July 27, 2025
Nullarbor bioregion - DCCEEW, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Nullarbor bioregion - DCCEEW, accessed July 24, 2025

View Source
Preview of Nullarbor Plain - Wikipedia, accessed July 25, 2025,
Nullarbor Plain - Wikipedia, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Nullarbor Plain - Wikipedia, accessed July 24, 2025

View Source
Preview of Nullarbor Plain | Desert, Limestone, Cave - Britannica
Nullarbor Plain | Desert, Limestone, Cave - Britannica
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Nullarbor Plain | Desert, Limestone, Cave - Britannica, accessed July 23, 2025

View Source
Preview of Quantifying and Modeling the Surficial Karst of the Nullarbor Plain (Southern Australia) - Scholarship@Miami, accessed July 24, 2025
Quantifying and Modeling the Surficial Karst of the Nullarbor Plain (Southern Australia) - Scholarship@Miami, accessed July 24, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Quantifying and Modeling the Surficial Karst of the Nullarbor Plain (Southern Australia) - Scholarship@Miami, accessed July 23, 2025

View Source
Preview of Regenerative agriculture in Australia: the changing face of farming - Frontiers, accessed August 4, 2025
Regenerative agriculture in Australia: the changing face of farming - Frontiers, accessed August 4, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Regenerative agriculture is key to dry season preparation - Soils For Life, accessed July 23, 2025

View Source
Preview of Report card on sustainable natural resource use in the rangelands
Report card on sustainable natural resource use in the rangelands
Contextual Support Journal

Evaluation of tolerable erosion rates and time to critical topsoil loss in Australia., accessed July 23, 2025

View Source
Preview of Wetlands | Environment, land and water | Queensland Government, accessed July 26, 2025
Wetlands | Environment, land and water | Queensland Government, accessed July 26, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Wetlands | Environment, land and water | Queensland Government, accessed July 23, 2025

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Arid Karstic Woodlands & Shrublands
  • Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Vegetation Woodland
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

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

Notes

Any active gully density greater than 0 m/ha indicates landscape instability and degradation. This threshold marks the initiation of irreversible erosional processes.

Related Benchmarks

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

0 m/ha High
Agricultural Crop Production · Conservation Target · Woodland
Point Active v1