Soil Organic Carbon (SOC)
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 13 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 12 guard(s) constrain the result.
Evidence & Context
A Lower Critical Threshold is identified at <1.0% SOC, below which critical ecosystem functions are compromised.
Lower critical threshold of Soil Organic Carbon concentration in the 0-10 cm soil layer
The SOC level below which ecosystem functions are impaired and degradation occurs.
SOC levels below 1.0% are widely considered indicative of a degraded or functionally impaired state in the semi-arid biome.
Sources (1)
Soil Carbon Sequestration in Northern Grazing Lands - FutureBeef
View SourceSupporting Sources (1)
Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.
Soil carbon changes after establishing woodland and agroforestry trees in a grazed pasture
View Source