Bare Ground

AUS-TMS-LVG-BAR General High confidence

Benchmark Value

60 %
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 16 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 15 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary LowerThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

Multiple sources converge on the understanding that when bare ground exceeds approximately 60% (or conversely, when total ground cover falls below 40%), savanna ecosystems enter a state of significantly increased vulnerability to degradation.

Metric Definition:

Bare Ground (%) indicating soil surface not covered by vegetation or litter

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark marks the critical threshold where bare ground exceeds 60%, indicating severe ecosystem degradation and increased erosion risk in Australian Tropical Monsoonal Savannas under livestock grazing.

Justification:

Exceeding 60% bare ground signifies a severely degraded state with impaired ecosystem functions and increased erosion risk, supported by multiple sources and land condition frameworks.

Sources (3)

Preview of Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space-for-time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments, Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025,
Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space-for-time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments, Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025, Journal

Ludwig, J.A., Bastin, G.N., Chewings, V.H., Eager, R.W., and Liedloff, A.C. (2005). Clearing savannas for use as rangelands in Queensland: Altered landscapes and water-erosion processes. Rangeland Journal, 27(2), 135-149.

View Source
Preview of era.dpi.qld.gov.au, accessed May 14, 2025,
era.dpi.qld.gov.au, accessed May 14, 2025, GreyLiterature

Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes

View Source
Preview of Karfs, R.A., Abbot, B.N., O'Reagain, P.J., et al. (2009). Land condition monitoring information for Reef catchments: A new era. The Rangeland Journal, 31(1), 91-104.
Karfs, R.A., Abbot, B.N., O'Reagain, P.J., et al. (2009). Land condition monitoring information for Reef catchments: A new era. The Rangeland Journal, 31(1), 91-104. Journal

Karfs, R.A., Abbot, B.N., O'Reagain, P.J., et al. (2009). Land condition monitoring information for Reef catchments: A new era. The Rangeland Journal, 31(1), 91-104.

View Source

Supporting Sources (3)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Managing grazing to increase ground cover in rangelands: using remote sensing to detect change - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 18, 2025,
Managing grazing to increase ground cover in rangelands: using remote sensing to detect change - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 18, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Managing grazing to increase ground cover in rangelands: using remote sensing to detect change - CSIRO Publishing

View Source
Preview of O'Reagain, P.J., and Ash, A.J. (2002). Principles of sustainable grazing management for the northern savannas. In: Proceedings of the 12th Australian Rangeland Conference, Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. Australian Rangeland Society. pp. 242-247.
O'Reagain, P.J., and Ash, A.J. (2002). Principles of sustainable grazing management for the northern savannas. In: Proceedings of the 12th Australian Rangeland Conference, Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. Australian Rangeland Society. pp. 242-247.
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

O'Reagain, P.J., and Ash, A.J. (2002). Principles of sustainable grazing management for the northern savannas. In: Proceedings of the 12th Australian Rangeland Conference, Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. Australian Rangeland Society.

View Source
Preview of Thornton, C.M. and Elledge, N.C. (2018). Paddock scale water quality monitoring in the Brigalow Catchment Study (P2R2) – Final Report for project R M001 (P2R201A). Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Brisbane.
Thornton, C.M. and Elledge, N.C. (2018). Paddock scale water quality monitoring in the Brigalow Catchment Study (P2R2) – Final Report for project R M001 (P2R201A). Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Brisbane.
Direct Evidence Journal

Thornton, C.M. and Elledge, N.C. (2018). Paddock scale water quality monitoring in the Brigalow Catchment Study (P2R2) – Final Report for project R M001 (P2R201A). Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Brisbane.

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical Monsoonal Savannas
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Not Stated
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

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

Notes

This threshold is widely recognized as a critical tipping point for ecosystem health in Australian rangelands. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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

5.9 % Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Not Stated
Point Active v1