Ground Cover - Grasses

AUS-TDG-LVG-GCG General High confidence

Benchmark Value

50 %
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

at least 50% of the perennial vegetation cover in the ground layer is made up of native species

Metric Definition:

Percent composition of the perennial ground layer comprised of native species (grasses, forbs, sedges), excluding annual species and cryptogams.

Benchmark Definition:

Official statutory condition threshold for native perennial composition under the EPBC Act.

Justification:

This is the official statutory condition threshold established by the Federal Threatened Species Scientific Committee under the EPBC Act.

Sources (1)

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 Journal

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

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 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
Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

Native pastures are resilient

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 Conservation Target
  • Vegetation Woodland
  • Evidence Type RegulatoryTrigger

Lifecycle

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

Notes

Remnant patches falling below this 50% native perennial composition threshold lose federal protection as Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES).

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
70 % High
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Agricultural Biodiversity Target · Grassland
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