Bare Ground

AUS-ASC-CON-BAR General High confidence

Benchmark Value

20 %
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

The current condition of snow patch vegetation on the Bogong High Plains is degraded, with bare ground exceeding 20% cover at most sites.

Metric Definition:

Percentage of bare ground cover on soil surface in snowpatch herbfields, measured using point-quadrat sampling.

Benchmark Definition:

Degradation threshold for bare ground cover in alpine snowpatch herbfields where exceeding 20% indicates ecological degradation.

Justification:

Direct field evidence from the target region (Bogong High Plains, Victoria, Australia), biome (alpine/subalpine), and land use (Conservation/Protected Natural Areas - Alpine National Park). The source explicitly defines bare ground cover exceeding 20% as a degraded state.

Sources (1)

Preview of Alpine and subalpine snow patch vegetation on the Bogong High Plains, SE Australia
Alpine and subalpine snow patch vegetation on the Bogong High Plains, SE Australia GreyLiterature

Alpine and subalpine snow patch vegetation on the Bogong High Plains, SE Australia

View Source

Supporting Sources (3)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Ground cover monitoring for Australia - DAFF, accessed July 16, 2025
Ground cover monitoring for Australia - DAFF, accessed July 16, 2025
Direct Evidence Government

Ground cover indicator for drought resilience

View Source
Preview of Maintaining groundcover to reduce erosion and sustain production - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 22, 2025,
Maintaining groundcover to reduce erosion and sustain production - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 22, 2025,
Direct Evidence Journal

Groundcover for pastures

View Source
Preview of Rehabilitation Field Guide | Australian Alps National Parks, accessed on May 25, 2025,
Rehabilitation Field Guide | Australian Alps National Parks, accessed on May 25, 2025,
Direct Evidence Journal

Rehabilitation Field Guide Australian Alps

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Alpine and Subalpine Complex
  • Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Vegetation Grassland
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 13 Jun 2026