Ground Cover - Grasses

AUS-TDG-LVG-GCG General High confidence

Benchmark Value

90 %
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

Maintain at least 90% ground cover to discourage establishment.

Metric Definition:

Visually assessed percentage of ground surface protected by plant material, preventing bare soil exposure.

Benchmark Definition:

Recommended minimum ground cover to build resilience against invasive weeds in threatened grassy woodlands.

Justification:

Recommended directly by the NSW Government for private landholders conserving threatened grassy woodlands to build resilience against highly aggressive invasive weeds like African lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula).

Sources (1)

Preview of Lowland Grassy Woodland on your property
Lowland Grassy Woodland on your property Journal

Lowland Grassy Woodland on your property

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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

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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 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

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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

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

Land Management Control Policy

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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 HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

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

Notes

Highly relevant for managing the transition between open grassland states and weed-degraded configurations in the sheep-wheat belt.

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