Vegetation Woody Cover

AUS-ASC-LVG-VWC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 15 to 25 %

Optimal Range: 15 to 25

Direction: Higher is desirable ↑

Form: OptimalRange

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 'Alpine Complex' vegetation class in NSW, the benchmark for overstorey cover and the number of large trees is frequently set at zero, reflecting the true alpine state. However, for subalpine plant community types (PCTs), such as the Snow Gum - Candle Bark woodland (PCT 1191), the benchmarks are more complex. Overstorey cover is 15% - 25%.

Metric Definition:

Overstorey woody cover benchmark for subalpine woodland (PCT 1191) in NSW

Justification:

Derived from extensive floristic and function records audit in NSW BAM system.

Sources (1)

Preview of NSW BioMetric Vegetation Condition Benchmarks

NSW BioMetric Vegetation Condition Benchmarks Government

NSW Environment Protection Authority (2024). Ecological Thinning Guide.

Supporting Sources (17)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Predicting decay in functional diversity in plant communities under future climates

(PDF) Predicting decay in functional diversity in plant communities under future climates

Methodology Source Government

(PDF) Predicting decay in functional diversity in plant communities under future climates

Preview of 2024 State of the Environment Report - Tasmanian Planning Commission, accessed on May 25, 2025,

2024 State of the Environment Report - Tasmanian Planning Commission, accessed on May 25, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Biodiversity impacts of Chilean needle grass Nassella neesiana on Australia's indigenous grasslands - VU Research Repository

Preview of accessed April 1

accessed April 1

Direct Evidence Government

Australian total, woody and grass foliage cover (version 3) - CSIRO Data Access Portal

Preview of ACT native grassland conservation strategy and action plans

ACT native grassland conservation strategy and action plans

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

ACT native grassland conservation strategy and action plans

Preview of ASSESSMENT OF HABITAT QUALITY Self-assessment method

ASSESSMENT OF HABITAT QUALITY Self-assessment method

Contextual Support Journal

ASSESSMENT OF HABITAT QUALITY Self-assessment method

Preview of Bioregions and EVC benchmarks - Environment, accessed August 5, 2025,

Bioregions and EVC benchmarks - Environment, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

TASVEG VCA Manual: A manual for assessing vegetation condition in Tasmania, Version 2.0. Natural and Cultural Heritage, Department of

Preview of Grazing management of Australian native woody regeneration as an effective nature-based climate-change solution | The Rangeland Journal | ConnectSci

Grazing management of Australian native woody regeneration as an effective nature-based climate-change solution | The Rangeland Journal | ConnectSci

Contextual Support Journal

Grazing management of Australian native woody regeneration as an effective nature-based climate-change solution | The Rangeland Journal | ConnectSci

Preview of Highlands – Northern Fall bioregion - Environment

Highlands – Northern Fall bioregion - Environment

Direct Evidence Journal

vegetation | Australian Alps National Parks

Preview of Managing Grazing to Restore Soil Health, Ecosystem Function, and Ecosystem Services

Managing Grazing to Restore Soil Health, Ecosystem Function, and Ecosystem Services

Direct Evidence Journal

Managing Grazing to Restore Soil Health, Ecosystem Function, and Ecosystem Services

Preview of Mapping Windthrow Severity as Change in Canopy Cover in a Temperate Eucalypt Forest

Mapping Windthrow Severity as Change in Canopy Cover in a Temperate Eucalypt Forest

Direct Evidence Journal

Somerville, M. et al. (2019). Function attribute benchmarks for the Biodiversity Assessment Method. NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.

Preview of Monaro REF Appendix 3 Biodiversity Assessment - Transport for NSW

Monaro REF Appendix 3 Biodiversity Assessment - Transport for NSW

Contextual Support Journal

Jindabyne Education Campus - School Infrastructure NSW, accessed April 6, 2026

Preview of research report - University of Technology Sydney, accessed July 15, 2025

research report - University of Technology Sydney, accessed July 15, 2025

Direct Evidence Journal

Net woody vegetation increase confined to seasonally inundated lowlands in an Australian tropical savanna, Victoria River District, Northern Territory - PubMed Central

Preview of research report - UTS

research report - UTS

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Conservation in agricultural landscapes: Impact of privately managed interventions on habitat condition and woody cover - ResearchGate

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.

Preview of Sustainable land management practices for graziers - NSW ...

Sustainable land management practices for graziers - NSW ...

Contextual Support Journal

Sustainable land management practices for graziers - NSW ...

Preview of Sustainable land management practices for graziers - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed August 6, 2025,

Sustainable land management practices for graziers - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed August 6, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Sustainable land management practices for graziers - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed May 10, 2026

Preview of TASVEG Vegetation Condition Monitoring | Department of Natural ..., accessed August 11, 2025, )/vegetation-condition-monitoring

TASVEG Vegetation Condition Monitoring | Department of Natural ..., accessed August 11, 2025, )/vegetation-condition-monitoring

Contextual Support

CATTLE HILL WIND FARM FLORA OFFSET MANAGEMENT PLAN