Basal Area — Benchmark Detail - Nature Index

Benchmark Value

20 m²/ha

Range: 20 to 33 m²/ha

Thresholds: Lower: 9, Upper: —

Optimal Range: 20 to 33

Direction: Higher is desirable ↑

Form: Point

Scoring Curve

This curve shows how a field measurement for this indicator would score across all available benchmark forms in this context.

Evidence & Context

site LM2 recorded 20 m²/ha

Metric Definition:

the cross-sectional area of all trees and shrubs at breast height (1.3 meters) per hectare

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark establishes the lower threshold for a fully mature subalpine woodland reference stand in the Alpine and Subalpine Complex under livestock grazing and pasture land use.

Justification:

Establishes the lower threshold for a fully mature subalpine reference stand.

Sources (1)

Preview of www.botanicgardens.org.au, accessed on May 28, 2025

www.botanicgardens.org.au, accessed on May 28, 2025 Journal

Fire frequency and stem structure in snow gum (Eucalyptus pauciflora) woodland in Victoria (Coates, F., Williams, M.R., and Morgan, J.W. (2015). Cunninghamia 15: 15–28)

Supporting Sources (25)

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

Effects of grazing on alpine grassland soil available nutrients across the Tibetan Plateau

Preview of AusPlots Rangelands - TERN Australia, accessed August 2, 2025

AusPlots Rangelands - TERN Australia, accessed August 2, 2025

Contextual Support Methodology Source Journal

AusPlots Rangelands Survey Protocols Manual

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 Forest Practices Authority (2011). Silvicultural systems for native eucalypt forests.

Forest Practices Authority (2011). Silvicultural systems for native eucalypt forests.

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Forest Practices Authority (2011). Silvicultural systems for native eucalypt forests.

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

Pinpointing Ecological Thresholds to Enhance Ecosystem Management

Preview of Jones, P. (2005). The stability and resilience of grazing land in “A” condition.

Jones, P. (2005). The stability and resilience of grazing land in “A” condition.

Contextual Support Journal

Jones, P. (2005). The stability and resilience of grazing land in “A” condition.

Preview of Mapping Windthrow Severity as Change in Canopy Cover in a Temperate Eucalypt Forest

Mapping Windthrow Severity as Change in Canopy Cover in a Temperate Eucalypt Forest

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Regulatory Framework Journal

Somerville, M. et al. (2019). Function attribute benchmarks for the Biodiversity Assessment Method. NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.

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 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.

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Long-unburnt stands of snow gum (Eucalyptus pauciflora Sieber ex Spreng) are exceedingly rare in the Victorian Alps: implications for their conservation and management - ResearchGate

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

Australian Alps Montane Grasslands | One Earth, accessed May 11, 2026,

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 Sluiter, I. R. K., et al. (2012). Recovery and management of snow gum forest and woodlands. Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Technical Report Series No. 235.

Sluiter, I. R. K., et al. (2012). Recovery and management of snow gum forest and woodlands. Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Technical Report Series No. 235.

Direct Evidence Journal

Sustainable Australian Beef Framework (2023). Balance of tree & grass cover.

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

TERN - Australia's Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, accessed on June 5, 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

Vegetation and floristics of a lowland tropical rainforest in northeast Australia, accessed July 20, 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.