Vegetation Extent

AUS-ASC-FOR-VEX General High confidence

Benchmark Value

12 m²/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.

Evidence & Context

"On dry sites (receiving <1000 mm of rainfall per year), the zone of suppression for regeneration occurs when the basal area of retained trees exceeds 12 m² per hectare."

Metric Definition:

Maximum density threshold on moisture-limited sites.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the maximum basal area per hectare to retain on dry sites in the Alpine and Subalpine Complex biome under production forestry to avoid suppression of regeneration due to moisture limitation.

Justification:

Defines the point where excess canopy extent causes ecological harm to recruitment.

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 (8)

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

Thinning regrowth eucalypts Technical Bulletin

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 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 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

Silvicultural monitoring in uneven-aged highland dry Eucalyptus delegatensis forests in Tasmania, accessed April 1, 2026,

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 (Dry sites)
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

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

Related Benchmarks

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

12 m²/ha High
Production Forestry · Shelterwood systems
MinimumOnly Active v1
16 m²/ha High
Production Forestry · Shelterwood (Wet sites)
MaximumOnly Active v1
1 trees/ha High
Production Forestry · Alpine Ash habitat
MinimumOnly Active v1
40 ha High
Production Forestry · Net harvested area
MaximumOnly Active v1
50 % High
Production Forestry · Ash thinning
MinimumOnly Active v1