Ground Cover - Shrubs

AUS-ASC-LVG-GCS General High confidence

Benchmark Value

5 %
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

For the Highland Poa Grassland, "Where trees are present the tree cover is very low (e.g. <5%)".

Metric Definition:

Percent foliage cover of woody species

Benchmark Definition:

Threshold for maintaining the open facies of high-condition subalpine grasslands.

Justification:

Refers to Highland Poa Grassland (GPH).

Sources (1)

Preview of Snowy Strategic Activation Precinct - NSW Planning Portal
Snowy Strategic Activation Precinct - NSW Planning Portal Journal

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. (2006). Lowland Native Grasslands of Tasmania Listing Advice.

View Source

Supporting Sources (6)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of An assessment of feral horse impacts on treeless drainage lines in the Australian Alps, accessed May 10, 2026
An assessment of feral horse impacts on treeless drainage lines in the Australian Alps, accessed May 10, 2026
Direct Evidence Journal

Snowy Monaro Regional Council. (2014). Lake Wallace Offset Management Plan.

View Source
Preview of Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. (2025). TASVEG 5.0 Metadata Statement – November 2025.
Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. (2025). TASVEG 5.0 Metadata Statement – November 2025.
Contextual Support Journal

Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. (2025). TASVEG 5.0 Metadata Statement – November 2025.

View Source
Preview of Floristic data audit and preparation for data driven benchmarks for ..., accessed May 8, 2026
Floristic data audit and preparation for data driven benchmarks for ..., accessed May 8, 2026
Direct Evidence Journal

NSW Department of Planning and Environment. (2023). Kosciuszko Offset Strategy 2023: Alpine Sphagnum Bogs and Associated Fens.

View Source
Preview of Invasive Species Council. (2023). Feral Horses in the Australian Alps: Submission to Senate Enquiry.
Invasive Species Council. (2023). Feral Horses in the Australian Alps: Submission to Senate Enquiry.
Contextual Support Journal

Invasive Species Council. (2023). Feral Horses in the Australian Alps: Submission to Senate Enquiry.

View Source
Preview of WDA Eucalyptus dalrympleana forest: subalpine heathland facies
WDA Eucalyptus dalrympleana forest: subalpine heathland facies
Direct Evidence Journal

Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority. (2004). Assessment of Habitat Quality: Subalpine.

View Source
Preview of Williams, R. J., Papst, W. A., & McDougall, K. L. (2020). Subalpine grasslands of the Australian Alps are resilient to a single fire. Australian Journal of Botany, 68(2), 141-151.
Williams, R. J., Papst, W. A., & McDougall, K. L. (2020). Subalpine grasslands of the Australian Alps are resilient to a single fire. Australian Journal of Botany, 68(2), 141-151.
Direct Evidence Journal

Williams, R. J., Papst, W. A., & McDougall, K. L. (2020). Subalpine grasslands of the Australian Alps are resilient to a single fire. Australian Journal of Botany, 68(2), 141-151.

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Alpine and Subalpine Complex
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Vegetation Grassland
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

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

Notes

Refers to the grassland facies.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-ASC-LVG-GCS family.

25 % Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Not Stated
LowerThreshold Active v2
5 % High
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Not Stated · Grassland
MaximumOnly Active v1
11.3 % Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Not Stated · Unburnt
Point Active v1
30 % High
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Not Stated
Point Active v1
5 % High
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Not Stated
Point Active v1
1 % High
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Not Stated
Point Active v1
20 % High
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Not Stated
Point Active v1
12.5 % Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Not Stated
LowerThreshold Superseded v1