Litter Cover

AUS-TDG-LVG-LIT General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 85 to 95 %
Optimal Range: 85 to 95
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: OptimalRange

Scoring Curve

This curve shows how a field measurement for this indicator would score across all available benchmark forms in this context. The scoring engine uses 4 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 3 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary OptimalRange Guard OptimalRange Guard OptimalRange Guard

Evidence & Context

Inferred range representing the litter component within the very high total ground cover (>90-100%) typically achieved under best-practice/regenerative grazing management in Australian temperate systems, aiming for optimal soil health and function.

Metric Definition:

Litter cover, defined as the layer of dead plant material resting on the soil surface

Benchmark Definition:

Benchmark for Litter Cover (%) under Best-Practice Grazing in Australian temperate systems.

Justification:

Inferred from the high levels of total ground cover (>90-100%) achieved and targeted in well-managed, ecologically healthy systems.

Sources (1)

Preview of EverGraze Exchange (Online) – The Nuts and Bolts of Grazing Management, accessed May 12, 2025
EverGraze Exchange (Online) – The Nuts and Bolts of Grazing Management, accessed May 12, 2025 GreyLiterature

Grazing management for healthy soils

View Source

Supporting Sources (26)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes - ResearchGate, accessed May 11, 2025
(PDF) Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes - ResearchGate, accessed May 11, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

section 2 water quality in the darwin region - Environment and Natural Resources

View Source
Preview of About Rangelands monitoring | Department of Lands, Planning and Environment, accessed July 29, 2025,
About Rangelands monitoring | Department of Lands, Planning and Environment, accessed July 29, 2025,
Direct Evidence

About Rangelands monitoring | Department of Lands, Planning and Environment, accessed July 29, 2025

View Source
Preview of An Evidence-Based Assessment of Prescribed Grazing Practices - USDA ARS, accessed May 12, 2025
An Evidence-Based Assessment of Prescribed Grazing Practices - USDA ARS, accessed May 12, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

An Evidence-Based Assessment of Prescribed Grazing Practices - USDA ARS, accessed May 12, 2025,

View Source
Preview of cdn.environment.sa.gov.au, accessed May 12, 2025
cdn.environment.sa.gov.au, accessed May 12, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Best practice land management guidelines for small grazing properties - Department for Environment and Water

View Source
Preview of Distribution and effects of tree leaf litter on vegetation composition ..., accessed May 12, 2025
Distribution and effects of tree leaf litter on vegetation composition ..., accessed May 12, 2025
Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Litter accumulation and fire risks show direct and indirect climate-dependence at continental scale - PubMed Central, accessed August 9, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Diversity in and Among Grasslands - Biodiversity - NCBI Bookshelf, accessed May 13, 2025,
Diversity in and Among Grasslands - Biodiversity - NCBI Bookshelf, accessed May 13, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Diversity in and Among Grasslands - Biodiversity - NCBI Bookshelf, accessed May 13, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Do regenerative grazing management practices ... - CSIRO Publishing, accessed May 12, 2025
Do regenerative grazing management practices ... - CSIRO Publishing, accessed May 12, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Investigating Intensive Grazing Systems in Northern Australia

View Source
Preview of Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space-for-time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments, Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025,
Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space-for-time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments, Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025,
Direct Evidence Journal

Ludwig, J.A., Bastin, G.N., Chewings, V.H., Eager, R.W., and Liedloff, A.C. (2005). Clearing savannas for use as rangelands in Queensland: Altered landscapes and water-erosion processes. Rangeland Journal, 27(2), 135-149.

View Source
Preview of Effect of Grazing Exclusion and Rotational Grazing on Soil Aggregate Stability in Typical Grasslands in Inner Mongolia, China - Frontiers, accessed May 12, 2025
Effect of Grazing Exclusion and Rotational Grazing on Soil Aggregate Stability in Typical Grasslands in Inner Mongolia, China - Frontiers, accessed May 12, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Effect of Grazing Exclusion and Rotational Grazing on Soil Aggregate Stability in Typical Grasslands in Inner Mongolia, China - Frontiers, accessed May 12, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Effects of litter on seedling establishment in natural and semi-natural grasslands: A meta-analysis - ResearchGate, accessed May 12, 2025
Effects of litter on seedling establishment in natural and semi-natural grasslands: A meta-analysis - ResearchGate, accessed May 12, 2025
Contextual Support

Effect of Grazing Exclusion and Rotational Grazing on Soil Aggregate Stability in Typical Grasslands in Inner Mongolia, China - Frontiers

View Source
Preview of Effects of Stock Grazing on Biodiversity Values in ... - ACT Government, accessed August 4, 2025
Effects of Stock Grazing on Biodiversity Values in ... - ACT Government, accessed August 4, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Yellow Box – Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived ...

View Source
Preview of Effects of Stock Grazing on Biodiversity Values in Temperate Native Grasslands and Grassy Woodlands in SE Australia: A Literature Review - ACT Government, accessed May 13, 2025,
Effects of Stock Grazing on Biodiversity Values in Temperate Native Grasslands and Grassy Woodlands in SE Australia: A Literature Review - ACT Government, accessed May 13, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Effects of Stock Grazing on Biodiversity Values in Temperate Native Grasslands and Grassy Woodlands in SE Australia: A Literature Review - ACT Government, accessed May 13, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Grazing management impacts on vegetation, soil biota and soil chemical, physical and hydrological properties in tall grass prairie, accessed May 12, 2025
Grazing management impacts on vegetation, soil biota and soil chemical, physical and hydrological properties in tall grass prairie, accessed May 12, 2025
Contextual Support

Adaptive multi-paddock grazing management's influence on soil food web community structure for: increasing pasture forage production, soil organic carbon, and reducing soil respiration rates in southeastern USA ranches, accessed July 29, 2025

View Source
Preview of In Defense of Soil Health - UKnowledge, accessed May 12, 2025
In Defense of Soil Health - UKnowledge, accessed May 12, 2025
Contextual Support

In Defense of Soil Health - UKnowledge

View Source
Preview of Litter-Induced Reduction in Ecosystem Multifunctionality Is Mediated ..., accessed May 13, 2025,
Litter-Induced Reduction in Ecosystem Multifunctionality Is Mediated ..., accessed May 13, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Litter-Induced Reduction in Ecosystem Multifunctionality Is Mediated ..., accessed May 13, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Managing for biodiversity | Native pasture management - Agriculture Victoria, accessed May 13, 2025,
Managing for biodiversity | Native pasture management - Agriculture Victoria, accessed May 13, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Managing for biodiversity | Native pasture management - Agriculture Victoria

View Source
Preview of Managing ground cover to reduce run-off and water loss - FutureBeef, accessed August 10, 2025,
Managing ground cover to reduce run-off and water loss - FutureBeef, accessed August 10, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Managing ground cover to reduce run-off and water loss - FutureBeef, accessed August 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of Method for Rangeland condition monitoring: grassland - Western Australian Government, accessed May 13, 2025,
Method for Rangeland condition monitoring: grassland - Western Australian Government, accessed May 13, 2025,
Methodology Source GreyLiterature

How to install your own rangeland monitoring sites - FutureBeef, accessed May 13, 2025,

View Source
Preview of openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au, accessed May 12, 2025
openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au, accessed May 12, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au, accessed May 12, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Pasture health kit - Making More From Sheep, accessed July 7, 2025
Pasture health kit - Making More From Sheep, accessed July 7, 2025
Direct Evidence Journal

Pasture health kit - Making More From Sheep, accessed May 13, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Rangeland condition rating 6 Western Australia - Department of Agriculture and Food, accessed May 13, 2025,
Rangeland condition rating 6 Western Australia - Department of Agriculture and Food, accessed May 13, 2025,
Contextual Support

Rangeland condition rating 6 Western Australia - Department of Agriculture and Food, accessed May 13, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Recent initiatives in biodiversity conservation in grazed temperate grasslands and woodlands in Australia - UKnowledge, accessed August 12, 2025,
Recent initiatives in biodiversity conservation in grazed temperate grasslands and woodlands in Australia - UKnowledge, accessed August 12, 2025,
Contextual Support

Processes underpinning natural capital account compilation highlight the potential for low-input grazing to mitigate farm carbon emissions while also improving biodiversity outcomes - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal, accessed August 12, 2025

View Source
Preview of Right plant, right place and sustainable grazing management leads to persistent pastures | EverGraze More livestock from perennials, accessed May 12, 2025
Right plant, right place and sustainable grazing management leads to persistent pastures | EverGraze More livestock from perennials, accessed May 12, 2025
Contextual Support Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

Right plant, right place and sustainable grazing management leads to persistent pastures | EverGraze More livestock from perennials

View Source
Preview of The Rangeland Journal - CSIRO PUBLISHING, accessed July 6, 2025,
The Rangeland Journal - CSIRO PUBLISHING, accessed July 6, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Does grazing exclusion in Australia's rangelands affect biomass and debris carbon stocks? - CSIRO Publishing

View Source
Preview of The Rangeland Journal - CSIRO PUBLISHING, accessed May 13, 2025,
The Rangeland Journal - CSIRO PUBLISHING, accessed May 13, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Grazing exclusion has nuanced effects on woody carbon stocks across Australian rangelands

View Source
Preview of www.ari.vic.gov.au, accessed May 13, 2025,
www.ari.vic.gov.au, accessed May 13, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Mean concentrations of soluble and exchangeable cations in ..., accessed August 9, 2025

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Evidence Type TargetCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 30 May 2026

Notes

Benchmark represents the 'best available condition' achievable under sustainable livestock grazing, not pristine ungrazed conditions.

Related Benchmarks

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

70 % Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Not Stated
MinimumOnly Active v1
90 % Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Not Stated
MinimumOnly Active v1