Basal Area

AUS-TMS-CON-BAS General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 5 to 12 m²/ha
Optimal Range: 5 to 12
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 9 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 8 guard(s) constrain the result.

Evidence & Context

For mesic tropical monsoonal savannas (mean annual rainfall >1000 mm) within conservation areas, an optimal basal area range is tentatively proposed as 5-12 m²/ha.

Metric Definition:

Basal area as defined above.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the optimal basal area range supporting characteristic savanna structure, biodiversity, and ecological resilience in mesic tropical monsoonal savanna forests under conservation management.

Justification:

Range supports characteristic savanna structure, biodiversity, ecological processes, and resilience.

Sources (2)

Preview of Additional peer-reviewed articles underpinning concepts of woody encroachment, fire ecology, and savanna dynamics as cited from search results like.1
Additional peer-reviewed articles underpinning concepts of woody encroachment, fire ecology, and savanna dynamics as cited from search results like.1 Journal

Additional peer-reviewed articles underpinning concepts of woody encroachment, fire ecology, and savanna dynamics as cited from search results like.1

View Source
Preview of Liddell, M. J., Preece, N. D., Krix, D., Edwards, A. C., & Hutley, L. B. (2024). Seasonal litter decomposition and accumulation in north Australian savanna. International Journal of Wildland Fire, WF24053.
Liddell, M. J., Preece, N. D., Krix, D., Edwards, A. C., & Hutley, L. B. (2024). Seasonal litter decomposition and accumulation in north Australian savanna. International Journal of Wildland Fire, WF24053.

Liddell, M. J., Preece, N. D., Krix, D., Edwards, A. C., & Hutley, L. B. (2024). Seasonal litter decomposition and accumulation in north Australian savanna. International Journal of Wildland Fire, WF24053.

View Source

Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Murphy, B. P., Lehmann, C. E. R., Russell-Smith, J., & Lawes, M. J. (2015). Fire or Water: Which Limits Tree Biomass in Australian Savannas? In: Ecology of Australian Freshwater Plants (pp. 273-294). CSIRO Publishing.
Murphy, B. P., Lehmann, C. E. R., Russell-Smith, J., & Lawes, M. J. (2015). Fire or Water: Which Limits Tree Biomass in Australian Savannas? In: Ecology of Australian Freshwater Plants (pp. 273-294). CSIRO Publishing.
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Murphy, B. P., Lehmann, C. E. R., Russell-Smith, J., & Lawes, M. J. (2015). Fire or Water: Which Limits Tree Biomass in Australian Savannas? In: Ecology of Australian Freshwater Plants (pp. 273-294). CSIRO Publishing.

View Source
Preview of Queensland Department of Environment and Science. (Various dates for BioCondition Manual and REDD).
Queensland Department of Environment and Science. (Various dates for BioCondition Manual and REDD).
Contextual Support Methodology Source Government

Eyre, T. J., et al. (2011). BioCondition: A Condition Assessment Framework for Terrestrial Biodiversity in Queensland. Assessment Methodology Manual. Version 2.1. Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management.

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical Monsoonal Savannas
  • Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Vegetation Forest
  • Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

  • Status Superseded
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 15 Mar 2026
  • Effective To 15 Mar 2026

Notes

Range allows for natural variability due to site conditions and fire history.