Ground Cover - Shrubs

AUS-ASC-LVG-GCS General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

25 %
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: LowerThreshold

Scoring Curve

Scoring curve unavailable

The scoring engine could not generate a curve for this benchmark context. The primary form is Point, but the benchmark data may be missing required fields (e.g., optimal range bounds for an OptimalRange benchmark). This is typically a data quality issue in the benchmark pipeline.

Evidence & Context

A minimum threshold of 25% shrub cover is given for managed subalpine shrublands, where "a score of 1 is given if the canopy cover is more than 25% in SHRUBLAND."

Metric Definition:

Percent cover of canopy (shrubs)

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark sets a minimum shrub cover threshold for managed subalpine shrublands, indicating adequate canopy cover.

Justification:

Scores increase when cover exceeds 25%.

Sources (1)

Preview of WDA Eucalyptus dalrympleana forest: subalpine heathland facies
WDA Eucalyptus dalrympleana forest: subalpine heathland facies Journal

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

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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 Snowy Strategic Activation Precinct - NSW Planning Portal
Snowy Strategic Activation Precinct - NSW Planning Portal
Contextual Support Journal

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

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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