Ground Cover - Tree Canopy

AUS-AKW-LVG-TCC General High confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 5 to 10 %

Optimal Range: 5 to 10

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 11 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 10 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary Point Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard OptimalRange Guard LowerThreshold Guard UpperThreshold Guard Point Guard LowerThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard

Evidence & Context

A value at the lower to mid-range, such as 5-10% Foliage Projective Cover (FPC), is proposed as the benchmark.

Metric Definition:

Tree Canopy Cover as Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) percentage

Benchmark Definition:

Tree Canopy Cover measured as Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) percentage represents the healthy open woodland structure typical of Arid Karstic Woodlands & Shrublands under sustainable livestock grazing.

Justification:

Derived from long-term rangeland monitoring data and consistent with national vegetation classifications for open woodlands.

Sources (1)

Preview of Nullarbor bioregion - DCCEEW, accessed July 27, 2025

Nullarbor bioregion - DCCEEW, accessed July 27, 2025 Journal

(PDF) Soil potassium—crop response calibration relationships and ..., accessed July 24, 2025

View Source

Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

An inventory and condition survey of the Western Australian part of ...

Direct Evidence Journal

Revision of the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation of Australia (IBRA) and the Development of Version 5.1 - Summary Report - DCCEEW, accessed July 15, 2025,

View Source

NVIS Fact sheet MVG 11 – Eucalypt open woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

NVIS Fact sheet MVG 11 – Eucalypt open woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed July 24, 2025

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Arid Karstic Woodlands & Shrublands
Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 19 Mar 2026

Notes

This benchmark represents the 'best-on-offer' condition for the wooded components within a healthy Arid Karstic Woodlands & Shrublands mosaic under sustainable livestock grazing. It is a ceiling, not a target, as the primary ecological threat is woody encroachment.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-AKW-LVG-TCC family.