Vegetation Extent

AUS-ASC-FOR-VEX General High confidence

Benchmark Value

12 m²/ha
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: MinimumOnly

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 target range is between 12 m²/ha and 16 m²/ha. Retaining below 12 m²/ha results in reduced seedling recruitment."

Metric Definition:

Basal area per hectare retained to protect regeneration.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the minimum basal area per hectare to retain in shelterwood systems to protect seedling recruitment in the Alpine and Subalpine Complex biome under production forestry.

Justification:

Critical lower limit for seedling protection from frost and exposure.

Sources (1)

Preview of Technical Bulletin 5: Silvicultural systems for native eucalypt forests
Technical Bulletin 5: Silvicultural systems for native eucalypt forests

Technical Bulletin 5: Silvicultural systems for native eucalypt forests

View Source

Supporting Sources (11)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Australia state of the environment 2021: land, accessed May 11, 2025
Australia state of the environment 2021: land, accessed May 11, 2025
Direct Evidence Journal

Buffel grass in Queensland's semi-arid woodlands - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 13, 2025

View Source
Preview of Bago State Forest - Snowy Valleys Tourism Upgrade Program - Forestry Corporation
Bago State Forest - Snowy Valleys Tourism Upgrade Program - Forestry Corporation
Direct Evidence Journal

Forest Biodiversity Declines and Extinctions Linked with Forest ...

View Source
Preview of Forestry Tasmania. (2010). Silvicultural systems for native eucalypt forests. Technical Bulletin No. 5.
Forestry Tasmania. (2010). Silvicultural systems for native eucalypt forests. Technical Bulletin No. 5.
Direct Evidence Journal

Victoria Native Remnant Patch Definition

View Source
Preview of Management Standards and Procedures for timber harvesting operations
Management Standards and Procedures for timber harvesting operations
Direct Evidence

Management Standards and Procedures for timber harvesting operations

View Source
Preview of Monitoring Eucalyptus delegatensis in Tasmania
Monitoring Eucalyptus delegatensis in Tasmania
Direct Evidence

Monitoring Eucalyptus delegatensis in Tasmania

View Source
Preview of Permanent Native Forest Estate Policy
Permanent Native Forest Estate Policy
Direct Evidence Journal

Permanent Native Forest Estate Policy

View Source
Preview of Policy for Maintaining a Permanent Native Forest Estate
Policy for Maintaining a Permanent Native Forest Estate
Direct Evidence

Policy for Maintaining a Permanent Native Forest Estate

View Source
Preview of Private Native Forestry Code of Practice for Southern NSW - FAOLEX, accessed May 15, 2025
Private Native Forestry Code of Practice for Southern NSW - FAOLEX, accessed May 15, 2025
Direct Evidence Journal

Private Native Forestry Code of Practice for Southern NSW

View Source
Preview of Schedule-1-Management-Standards-and-Procedures-for-timber-harvesting-operations-in-Victorias-State-forests.pdf, accessed March 28, 2026,
Schedule-1-Management-Standards-and-Procedures-for-timber-harvesting-operations-in-Victorias-State-forests.pdf, accessed March 28, 2026,
Direct Evidence Journal

Management Standards and Procedures for Timber Harvesting Operations in Victoria's State Forests

View Source
Preview of Silvicultural monitoring in uneven-aged highland dry Eucalyptus delegatensis forests in Tasmania
Silvicultural monitoring in uneven-aged highland dry Eucalyptus delegatensis forests in Tasmania
Direct Evidence

Monitoring Eucalyptus delegatensis in Tasmania

View Source
Preview of VNPA-Alpine-Ash-forests-of-mainland-Australia
VNPA-Alpine-Ash-forests-of-mainland-Australia
Direct Evidence

VNPA-Alpine-Ash-forests-of-mainland-Australia

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Alpine and Subalpine Complex
  • Land Use Production Forestry
  • Assessment Shelterwood systems
  • Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

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

Notes

Lower Critical Threshold: 12 m²/ha. No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always better up to natural saturation.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-ASC-FOR-VEX family.

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