Bare Ground

AUS-AMR-CON-BAR General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 0 to 15 %
Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 20
Optimal Range: 0 to 15
Direction: Lower 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 4 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 3 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard

Evidence & Context

The reference value represents the "best available condition" for ecologically healthy and stable conservation landscapes in this biome.

Metric Definition:

Bare Ground (%) in best-on-offer Arid Mountain Range conservation sites in Australia

Benchmark Definition:

The percentage of bare ground, including natural rock outcrops and desert pavement, representing the best available condition in conservation areas.

Justification:

Derived from a synthesis of qualitative field assessment criteria and quantitative erosion threshold science from analogous ecosystems, indicating near-absence of unstable, erodible bare ground.

Sources (2)

Preview of Native Vegetation Council Rangelands Assessment Manual
Native Vegetation Council Rangelands Assessment Manual GreyLiterature

Native Vegetation Council Rangelands Assessment Manual

View Source
Preview of Native Vegetation Council Rangelands Assessment Manual - Department for Environment and Water, accessed July 29, 2025,
Native Vegetation Council Rangelands Assessment Manual - Department for Environment and Water, accessed July 29, 2025, Journal

General principles of rangeland ecology

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands
  • Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 19 Mar 2026

Notes

The value acknowledges natural, functional bare ground as an integral part of the landscape and sets an upper detrimental threshold at 20% bare ground, beyond which degradation occurs.