Bare Ground
Benchmark Value
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 6 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 5 guard(s) constrain the result.
Contributing Benchmarks
Evidence & Context
Therefore, the proposed reference value for Bare Ground (%) is: ≤10-20% Bare Ground during the most vulnerable periods of the cropping cycle (e.g., post-harvest, pre-establishment of the next cash or cover crop). Aiming for ≤10% Bare Ground (ideally approaching 0-5%) during the active growth phases of cash crops or cover crops in well-managed regenerative systems.
Bare Ground (%) is an ecological indicator representing the proportion of the soil surface that is exposed, lacking cover from living vegetation, plant residues (litter), or other protective materials such as stones or dung.
This benchmark represents the recommended range of bare ground cover in agricultural crop production within temperate dry woodlands and native grasslands in Australia, aiming to minimize soil exposure and promote soil health during vulnerable cropping periods.
This range reflects a state where the soil is maximally protected from erosion, organic matter inputs are optimized, water infiltration is enhanced, soil temperature is moderated, and the system demonstrates a strong adherence to the principles of regenerative agriculture. It signifies a shift from merely "avoiding degradation" to actively "promoting high ecological health."
Supporting Sources (26)
Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.
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View SourceGround Cover Monitoring for Australia - DAFF, accessed July 20, 2025
View SourceMonitoring groundcover and soil degradation | Erosion - Agriculture Victoria, accessed May 11, 2025
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Regenerative agriculture reviewed | Agriculture and Food, accessed May 11, 2025
View SourceRegenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed August 28, 2025,
View SourceSoil and fertilizer phosphorus: Effects on plant P supply and mycorrhizal development - Canadian Science Publishing, accessed August 28, 2025
View SourceReport Highlights Benefits of Minimizing Bare Soil in Regenerative Agriculture - Seed World, accessed May 11, 2025
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Snapshot of Australian Agriculture 2025 - DAFF, accessed August 4, 2025,
View SourceSaving our soil health through regenerative farming - The Farmer ..., accessed May 11, 2025
View SourceShort-term contributions of cover crop surface residue return to soil carbon and nitrogen contents in temperate Australia - ResearchGate
View SourceHow Biodiversity-Friendly Is Regenerative Grazing? - Frontiers
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