Litter Cover

AUS-TDG-LVG-LIT General Moderate 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

Guidelines for grazing properties consistently cite a minimum of 70% ground cover as necessary to prevent significant increases in runoff and soil loss on gentle to moderate slopes in temperate regions.

Metric Definition:

Total ground cover (litter + live plants + rock)

Benchmark Definition:

Lower critical threshold for total ground cover necessary to protect soil from erosion on gentle to moderate slopes.

Justification:

Below this level, erosion risk increases significantly and other vital ecosystem functions dependent on surface cover are likely impaired.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Defense of Soil Health - UKnowledge, accessed May 12, 2025

Contextual Support

In Defense of Soil Health - UKnowledge

View Source

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

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

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

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

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

Contextual Support Journal

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

View Source

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

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

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

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

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 Not Stated
Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 30 May 2026

Notes

While measured as total ground cover, the document notes that litter is indispensable for achieving this protection, particularly during dry seasons. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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