Microbial Biomass Carbon (MBC)

AUS-TMS-CON-SMB General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 400 to 650 mg/kg

Optimal Range: 400 to 650

Direction: Higher is desirable ↑

Form: OptimalRange

Scoring Curve

Scoring curve unavailable

The scoring engine could not generate a curve for this benchmark context. The primary form is CompositeFramework, but the benchmark data may be missing required fields (e.g., optimal range bounds for an OptimalRange benchmark). This is typically a data quality issue in the benchmark pipeline.

Contributing Benchmarks

CompositeFramework Primary Point Guard LowerThreshold Guard Point Guard Point Guard OptimalRange Guard LowerThreshold Guard Point Guard OptimalRange Guard OptimalRange Guard

Evidence & Context

The optimal functional range for MBC in this biome is estimated to be between approximately 400 and 650 mg/kg.

Metric Definition:

Optimal functional range of Microbial Biomass Carbon (MBC) supporting healthy ecosystem processes.

Benchmark Definition:

The optimal functional range of Microbial Biomass Carbon (MBC) in tropical savanna conservation areas supports healthy ecosystem processes and resilience.

Justification:

Derived from observed values in healthy savanna ecosystems and supported by literature on nutrient cycling and microbial activity.

Sources (1)

Microbial Biomass C, N and P in Disturbed Dry Tropical Forest Soils, India Journal

Microbial Biomass C, N and P in Disturbed Dry Tropical Forest Soils, India

View Source

Supporting Sources (4)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Altered soil microbial community at elevated CO2 leads to loss of soil carbon | PNAS, accessed August 5, 2025

Contextual Support

Altered soil microbial community at elevated CO2 leads to loss of soil carbon - PNAS, accessed July 28, 2025,

View Source

functions-of-soil-organic-matter-and-the-effect-on-soil-properties.pdf.pdf, accessed July 19, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

The biodiversity cost of carbon sequestration in tropical savanna - PMC - PubMed Central

View Source

Interpreting Microbial Biomass Carbon | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed August 28, 2025,

Direct Evidence Government

Interpreting Microbial Biomass Carbon | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed July 18, 2025,

View Source

Preview of Supervising Scientist Report 671: Woody biomass dynamics at Paradise Farm, a long-term fire experiment in the savannas of northern Australia

Supervising Scientist Report 671: Woody biomass dynamics at Paradise Farm, a long-term fire experiment in the savannas of northern Australia

Direct Evidence

Supervising Scientist Report 671: Woody biomass dynamics at Paradise Farm, a long-term fire experiment in the savannas of northern Australia

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical Monsoonal Savannas
Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
Assessment Conservation Target
Vegetation Savanna
Season wet season
Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 20 Mar 2026

Notes

Reflects the balance of microbial activity through seasonal extremes and supports ecosystem resilience to disturbances like fire. No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always better up to natural saturation.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TMS-CON-SMB family.