Vegetation Woody Cover

AUS-TDG-CON-VWC General High confidence

Benchmark Value

10 %
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: Point

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

EVC 175: Grassy Woodland. Description: A variable open eucalypt woodland to 15 m tall or occasionally Sheoak woodland to 10 m tall over a diverse ground layer of grasses and herbs. The shrub component is usually sparse. It occurs on sites with moderate fertility on gentle slopes or undulating hills on a range of geologies. ... Immature Canopy Tree. 5% IT. Understorey Tree or Large Shrub. 2. 10% T. Medium Shrub. 6. 15% MS.

Metric Definition:

Understorey Tree or Large Shrub cover; defined as the total percentage foliage cover of the secondary woody stratum in a mature, natural condition.

Benchmark Definition:

Reference-condition understorey tree or large shrub cover benchmark for the Grassy Woodland in the Gippsland Plain bioregion.

Justification:

Direct quantitative benchmark indicating the appropriate mid-storey structural composition for a definitive grassy woodland ecosystem on the coastal plains.

Sources (1)

Preview of Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP). (2014). EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment. Gippsland Plain bioregion. State of Victoria.
Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP). (2014). EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment. Gippsland Plain bioregion. State of Victoria. Journal

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP). (2014). EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment. Gippsland Plain bioregion. State of Victoria.

View Source

Supporting Sources (5)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE). (2004). Ecological Vegetation Class (EVC) Benchmarks for the Murray Mallee Bioregion. State of Victoria.
Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE). (2004). Ecological Vegetation Class (EVC) Benchmarks for the Murray Mallee Bioregion. State of Victoria.
Direct Evidence Journal

Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE). (2004). Ecological Vegetation Class (EVC) Benchmarks for the Murray Mallee Bioregion. State of Victoria.

View Source
Preview of DSE (2007). EVC 56: Floodplain Riparian Woodland – Murray Fans bioregion. Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment.
DSE (2007). EVC 56: Floodplain Riparian Woodland – Murray Fans bioregion. Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment.
Direct Evidence Journal

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment: Murray Fans bioregion

View Source
Preview of Eyre, T. J., Kelly, A. L., Neldner, V. J., Wilson, B. A., Ferguson, D. J., Laidlaw, M. J., & Franks, A. J. (2015). BioCondition Benchmarks for Regional Ecosystems: Brigalow Belt. Queensland Herbarium, Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts, Brisbane.
Eyre, T. J., Kelly, A. L., Neldner, V. J., Wilson, B. A., Ferguson, D. J., Laidlaw, M. J., & Franks, A. J. (2015). BioCondition Benchmarks for Regional Ecosystems: Brigalow Belt. Queensland Herbarium, Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts, Brisbane.
Direct Evidence Journal

Eyre, T. J., Kelly, A. L., Neldner, V. J., Wilson, B. A., Ferguson, D. J., Laidlaw, M. J., & Franks, A. J. (2015). BioCondition Benchmarks for Regional Ecosystems: Brigalow Belt. Queensland Herbarium, Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts, Brisbane.

View Source
Preview of Victorian Volcanic Plain bioregion - Environment, accessed August 12, 2025
Victorian Volcanic Plain bioregion - Environment, accessed August 12, 2025
Direct Evidence Journal

EVC 3: Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland - Victorian Volcanic Plain bioregion

View Source
Preview of www.environment.vic.gov.au, accessed May 19, 2025,
www.environment.vic.gov.au, accessed May 19, 2025,
Direct Evidence Journal

Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE). (2004). Ecological Vegetation Class (EVC) Benchmarks for the Central Victorian Uplands Bioregion. State of Victoria.

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
  • Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Vegetation Woodland
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 21 Jun 2026

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