Ground Cover - Grasses

AUS-TDG-LVG-GCG General High confidence

Benchmark Value

70 %
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: MinimumOnly

Scoring Curve

This curve shows how a field measurement for this indicator would score across all available benchmark forms in this context.

Evidence & Context

stock can be removed when ground cover reaches 70% on flat country

Metric Definition:

Visually estimated percentage of non-bare soil surface, assessed using random quadrat throws across a representative zigzag transect.

Benchmark Definition:

Minimum ground cover threshold below which ecological degradation begins on flat country.

Justification:

Formulated based on the Sustainable Grazing Systems project, this serves as the foundational, widely accepted minimum benchmark for managing native and unimproved pasture zones in south-eastern Australia.

Sources (1)

Preview of Composition and production from native pastures in response to fertiliser and rotational grazing | EverGraze More livestock from perennials
Composition and production from native pastures in response to fertiliser and rotational grazing | EverGraze More livestock from perennials GreyLiterature

Native pastures are resilient

View Source

Supporting Sources (6)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Adaptive Management Guidelines for Box Gum Grassy Woodlands
Adaptive Management Guidelines for Box Gum Grassy Woodlands
Direct Evidence Journal

Box-Gum Grassy Woodland Adaptive Management

View Source
Preview of Approved Conservation Advice for the White Box-Yellow Box-Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland
Approved Conservation Advice for the White Box-Yellow Box-Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland
Direct Evidence Journal

Approved Conservation Advice for the White Box-Yellow Box-Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland

View Source
Preview of Composition of pastures with a high native perennial component is stable under managed grazing
Composition of pastures with a high native perennial component is stable under managed grazing
Irrelevant

Composition of pastures with a high native perennial component is stable under managed grazing

View Source
Preview of Land Management Control Policy
Land Management Control Policy
Direct Evidence Journal

Land Management Control Policy

View Source
Preview of Lowland Grassy Woodland on your property
Lowland Grassy Woodland on your property
Direct Evidence Journal

Lowland Grassy Woodland on your property

View Source
Preview of Managing ground cover in the cropping zone of southern NSW, accessed May 11, 2025
Managing ground cover in the cropping zone of southern NSW, accessed May 11, 2025
Direct Evidence Journal

Managing ground cover in the cropping zone of southern NSW

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Agricultural Biodiversity Target
  • Vegetation Grassland
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

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

Notes

Destocking at or above 70% on flat country provides a safety margin before high-intensity summer storms initiate topsoil loss.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TDG-LVG-GCG family.

80 % High
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Conservation Target · Woodland
MinimumOnly Active v1
80 % High
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Agricultural Biodiversity Target · Grassland
MinimumOnly Active v1
50 % High
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Conservation Target · Woodland
MinimumOnly Active v1
90 % High
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Conservation Target · Woodland
MinimumOnly Active v1
— % High
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Agricultural Biodiversity Target · Grassland
OptimalRange Active v1