Basal Area — Benchmark Detail - Nature Index

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 55 to 70 m²/ha

Optimal Range: 55 to 70

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.

Evidence & Context

The basal area values of 55 m²/ha and 70 m²/ha indicate substantial biomass accumulation and a high degree of structural development, reflecting a state of high ecological integrity for the woodland component itself, in the absence of recent fire or ongoing grazing pressure.

Metric Definition:

Basal area (BA) is the sum of the cross-sectional area of all tree stems in a stand, measured at breast height, expressed in m²/ha.

Benchmark Definition:

Basal area is the total cross-sectional area of all tree stems at breast height, indicating mature woodland structural complexity after long-term recovery from grazing and fire in the alpine and subalpine biome.

Justification:

These values represent mature, structurally complex Snow Gum woodlands after long-term recovery from grazing and fire, serving as ecological reference points but not benchmarks for actively grazed systems.

Sources (1)

Preview of NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust. (2021). Do you want to earn annual payments for conserving rare vegetation in the Southern Tablelands? Snow Gum Woodlands and Grasslands Conservation Tender. Factsheet.

NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust. (2021). Do you want to earn annual payments for conserving rare vegetation in the Southern Tablelands? Snow Gum Woodlands and Grasslands Conservation Tender. Factsheet. Journal

Neyland, M. G., & Cunningham, J. K. (2004). Silvicultural monitoring in uneven-aged highland dry Eucalyptus delegatensis forests in Tasmania. Australian Forestry, 67(1), 6-13.

Supporting Sources (19)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Alpine Grazing Taskforce. (2005). Report of the Alpine Grazing Taskforce. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria.

Alpine Grazing Taskforce. (2005). Report of the Alpine Grazing Taskforce. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria.

Direct Evidence Journal

Biodiversity | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed on May 25, 2025,

Preview of Australian Alps Liaison Committee. (n.d.). Fire and Biodiversity in the Australian Alps.

Australian Alps Liaison Committee. (n.d.). Fire and Biodiversity in the Australian Alps.

Contextual Support Journal

Australian Alps Liaison Committee. (n.d.). Fire and Biodiversity in the Australian Alps.

Preview of Brookhouse, M., & Bi, H. (2009). Elevation-dependent climate sensitivity in Eucalyptus pauciflora Sieb. ex Spreng. Dendrochronologia, 27(1), 29-37.

Brookhouse, M., & Bi, H. (2009). Elevation-dependent climate sensitivity in Eucalyptus pauciflora Sieb. ex Spreng. Dendrochronologia, 27(1), 29-37.

Contextual Support

Brookhouse, M., & Bi, H. (2009). Elevation-dependent climate sensitivity in Eucalyptus pauciflora Sieb. ex Spreng. Dendrochronologia, 27(1), 29-37.

Preview of Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. (2022). Vegetation Condition Benchmarks version 2. Dry Eucalypt Forest and Woodland. DPD Eucalyptus pauciflora forest and woodland on dolerite: grassy facies. (forest).

Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. (2022). Vegetation Condition Benchmarks version 2. Dry Eucalypt Forest and Woodland. DPD Eucalyptus pauciflora forest and woodland on dolerite: grassy facies. (forest).

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. (2022). Vegetation Condition Benchmarks version 1. Dry Eucalypt Forest and Woodland. DPO Eucalyptus pauciflora forest and woodlands not on dolerite: (forest).

Preview of Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. (n.d.). Dry eucalypt forest and woodland. From The Bush.

Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. (n.d.). Dry eucalypt forest and woodland. From The Bush.

Contextual Support Journal

Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. (n.d.). Dry eucalypt forest and woodland. From The Bush.

Preview of Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, Western Australia. (2022). Clearing Permit CPS 8925/1.

Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, Western Australia. (2022). Clearing Permit CPS 8925/1.

Contextual Support

Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, Western Australia. (2022). Clearing Permit CPS 8925/1.

Preview of Hester, A. J., Pakeman, R. J., Harrison, S., & Ross, L. C. (2017). Thresholds of biodiversity and ecosystem function in a forest ecosystem undergoing dieback. Scientific Reports, 7, 6775.

Hester, A. J., Pakeman, R. J., Harrison, S., & Ross, L. C. (2017). Thresholds of biodiversity and ecosystem function in a forest ecosystem undergoing dieback. Scientific Reports, 7, 6775.

Contextual Support Journal

Across a macro-ecological gradient forest competition is ... - Frontiers

Preview of Meat & Livestock Australia. (n.d.). Tree-grass balance.

Meat & Livestock Australia. (n.d.). Tree-grass balance.

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Meat & Livestock Australia. (n.d.). Tree-grass balance.

Preview of NatureServe. (n.d.). Basal Area (m2/ha). Biotics Help.

NatureServe. (n.d.). Basal Area (m2/ha). Biotics Help.

Methodology Source GreyLiterature

NatureServe. (n.d.). Basal Area (m2/ha). Biotics Help.

Preview of NSW Department of Education. (n.d.). Alpine ecosystems in the Snowy Mountains.

NSW Department of Education. (n.d.). Alpine ecosystems in the Snowy Mountains.

Contextual Support Government

NSW Department of Education. (n.d.). Alpine ecosystems in the Snowy Mountains.

Preview of NSW Environment Protection Authority. (n.d.). Techniques for Measuring Stand Basal Area. Private Native Forestry Code of Practice Guideline No. 5.

NSW Environment Protection Authority. (n.d.). Techniques for Measuring Stand Basal Area. Private Native Forestry Code of Practice Guideline No. 5.

Methodology Source Journal

Techniques for Measuring Stand Basal Area - NSW Environment Protection Authority

Preview of NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. (n.d.). The Australian Alps Bioregion.

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. (n.d.). The Australian Alps Bioregion.

Contextual Support Journal

Monitoring the impact of feral horses on vegetation condition using remotely sensed fPAR: A case study in Australia's alpine parks

Preview of NSW Scientific Committee. (2011). Preliminary Determination: Tablelands Snow Gum, Candlebark and Kangaroo Grass Grassy Woodland.

NSW Scientific Committee. (2011). Preliminary Determination: Tablelands Snow Gum, Candlebark and Kangaroo Grass Grassy Woodland.

Contextual Support

NSW Scientific Committee. (2011). Preliminary Determination: Tablelands Snow Gum, Candlebark and Kangaroo Grass Grassy Woodland.

Preview of Pettit, C., & O'Reagain, P. (2014). Principles and guidelines for managing cattle grazing in the grazing lands of northern Australia: stocking rates, pasture resting, prescribed fire, paddock size and water points - a review. The Rangeland Journal, 36(4), 315-330.

Pettit, C., & O'Reagain, P. (2014). Principles and guidelines for managing cattle grazing in the grazing lands of northern Australia: stocking rates, pasture resting, prescribed fire, paddock size and water points - a review. The Rangeland Journal, 36(4), 315-330.

Contextual Support Journal

Environmental Protection Works Guideline on Rural Regulated Land Sustainable Grazing Allowable Activity, accessed on May 25, 2025,

Preview of Raison, R. J., Woods, P. V., & Khanna, P. K. (n.d.). Flammability of Australian forests and woodlands: a synthesis of knowledge for fuel and fire management. CSIRO.

Raison, R. J., Woods, P. V., & Khanna, P. K. (n.d.). Flammability of Australian forests and woodlands: a synthesis of knowledge for fuel and fire management. CSIRO.

Contextual Support Journal

Raison, R. J., Woods, P. V., & Khanna, P. K. (n.d.). Flammability of Australian forests and woodlands: a synthesis of knowledge for fuel and fire management. CSIRO.

Preview of Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN). (2012). Seven decades of data sustaining the Australian Alps.

Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN). (2012). Seven decades of data sustaining the Australian Alps.

Contextual Support Government

ANU Long Term Ecological Research Network (LTERN), accessed on May 25, 2025,

Preview of Using basal area to estimate aboveground carbon stocks in forests: La Primavera Biosphere's Reserve, Mexico | Forestry - Oxford Academic, accessed July 20, 2025,

Using basal area to estimate aboveground carbon stocks in forests: La Primavera Biosphere's Reserve, Mexico | Forestry - Oxford Academic, accessed July 20, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Basal Area: A Measure Made for Management - Alabama Cooperative Extension System -, accessed July 15, 2025,

Preview of Wikipedia. Basal area.

Wikipedia. Basal area.

Contextual Support

Wikipedia. Basal area.

Preview of Worm Watch. (n.d.). Sampling Trees. University of Minnesota Duluth.

Worm Watch. (n.d.). Sampling Trees. University of Minnesota Duluth.

Methodology Source GreyLiterature

Worm Watch. (n.d.). Sampling Trees. University of Minnesota Duluth.

Context

Region Australia
Biome Alpine and Subalpine Complex
Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
Assessment Rehabilitation Target
Vegetation Woodland
Season February and March
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 15 Mar 2026

Notes

These sites are not actively grazed and represent a recovered state with high basal area, which may not be compatible with livestock grazing objectives. No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always better up to natural saturation.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-ASC-LVG-BAS family.