Fungal:Bacterial Ratio

AUS-TMS-CON-SFB General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

1 index
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: MinimumOnly

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 2 benchmarks together — the MinimumOnly form drives the primary score, while 1 guard(s) constrain the result.

Evidence & Context

F:B ratios persistently below 1.0... could indicate compromised soil health, reduced carbon sequestration potential, and a shift away from mature, stable conditions.

Metric Definition:

The ratio of fungal to bacterial biomass (F:B ratio) in soils is increasingly recognized as a critical bioindicator, offering insights into soil ecological status, functional pathways, and overall health.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark marks the lower critical threshold of fungal to bacterial biomass ratio below which soil health may be compromised in tropical monsoonal savanna conservation areas.

Justification:

Persistently low F:B ratios, indicating strong bacterial dominance, are typically associated with intensively managed or disturbed environments.

Sources (1)

Preview of EFFECTS OF AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT ON SOIL CARBON ..., accessed on June 7, 2025
EFFECTS OF AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT ON SOIL CARBON ..., accessed on June 7, 2025 Journal

Biogeographical patterns of the soil fungal:bacterial ratio across France - PubMed Central

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Supporting Sources (1)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Contextual metadata �� Australian Microbiome, accessed on June 7, 2025
Contextual metadata �� Australian Microbiome, accessed on June 7, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Contextual metadata – Australian Microbiome

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Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical Monsoonal Savannas
  • Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
  • Assessment Not Stated
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 26 May 2026

Notes

Approaching levels seen in highly disturbed agricultural systems (e.g., <0.5-1.0). No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always better up to natural saturation. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.