Litter Cover

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 20 to 40 %

Optimal Range: 20 to 40

Direction: Higher 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

The optimal range is between 20% and 40%.

Metric Definition:

Visual estimation of litter cover.

Benchmark Definition:

Healthy subalpine woodlands in the Australian Alpine and Subalpine Complex typically have organic litter cover between 20% and 40%.

Justification:

Real-world measurements in healthy, well-managed sites often record values between 20% and 40%.

Sources (1)

Preview of Vic Ecology FF Long Report Template - Planning

Vic Ecology FF Long Report Template - Planning Journal

Biosis and GHD. (2016). Flora and Fauna Assessment: Mount Buller Water Storage Project.

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Supporting Sources (13)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

AHF Freshwater aquatic herbland

Direct Evidence Journal

AHF Freshwater aquatic herbland

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Assessing the quality of native vegetation: The 'habitat hectares' approach

Direct Evidence Journal

short-term review

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Assessment of Habitat Quality: Subalpine

Direct Evidence Journal

Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (GBCMA). (2011). Assessment of Habitat Quality: Subalpine.

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Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP). (2020). Victorian Alps Bioregion EVC Benchmarks.

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP). (2020). Victorian Alps Bioregion EVC Benchmarks.

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Flora and Fauna Report 2022

Direct Evidence Journal

Flora and Fauna Report 2022

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Gelliondale Flora and Fauna Report

Direct Evidence Journal

Gelliondale Flora and Fauna Report

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Guidelines for the removal, destruction or lopping of native vegetation - Environment

Direct Evidence Journal

Native Vegetation Integrity Benchmarks - Environment and Heritage, accessed April 6, 2026

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Preview of Holmquist, J. G., Schmidt-Gengenbach, J., & Haultain, S. A. (2013). Effects of a Long-Term Disturbance on Arthropods and Vegetation in Subalpine Wetlands. PLOS ONE, 8(1).

Holmquist, J. G., Schmidt-Gengenbach, J., & Haultain, S. A. (2013). Effects of a Long-Term Disturbance on Arthropods and Vegetation in Subalpine Wetlands. PLOS ONE, 8(1).

Contextual Support Journal

Holmquist, J. G., Schmidt-Gengenbach, J., & Haultain, S. A. (2013). Effects of a Long-Term Disturbance on Arthropods and Vegetation in Subalpine Wetlands. PLOS ONE, 8(1).

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Mapping Windthrow Severity as Change in Canopy Cover in a Temperate Eucalypt Forest

Direct Evidence Methodology Source Journal

Somerville, M. et al. (2019). Function attribute benchmarks for the Biodiversity Assessment Method. NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.

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