Soil Organic Carbon (SOC)

AUS-TGP-AGR-SOC General High confidence

Benchmark Value

3 %
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: Point

Scoring Curve

This curve shows how a field measurement for this indicator would score across all available benchmark forms in this context.

Evidence & Context

A value of 3.0% SOC represents a robust and defensible benchmark for a high-functioning, best-practice cropping system on a clayey soil.

Metric Definition:

Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) in the top 10 cm of soil under best-practice cropping systems

Benchmark Definition:

Benchmark SOC level for clayey soils in temperate Australian cropping systems.

Justification:

Represents the upper range observed in high-functioning temperate mixed farming systems on fertile soils with high carbon storage potential.

Sources (1)

Preview of Development of a soil carbon benchmark matrix for central west NSW - IUSS
Development of a soil carbon benchmark matrix for central west NSW - IUSS Journal

Development of a soil carbon benchmark matrix for central west NSW - IUSS

View Source

Supporting Sources (4)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Beefing up carbon capture | On-farm emissions case studies - Agriculture Victoria
Beefing up carbon capture | On-farm emissions case studies - Agriculture Victoria
Contextual Support Government

Beefing up carbon capture | On-farm emissions case studies - Agriculture Victoria

View Source
Preview of How Much Carbon Can Soil Store - NSW | Fact Sheets | soilquality ...
How Much Carbon Can Soil Store - NSW | Fact Sheets | soilquality ...
Direct Evidence Government

How Much Carbon Can Soil Store - NSW | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au

View Source
Preview of Soil carbon dynamics under different cropping and pasture management in temperate Australia: Results of three long-term experiments - CSIRO Publishing
Soil carbon dynamics under different cropping and pasture management in temperate Australia: Results of three long-term experiments - CSIRO Publishing
Contextual Support Journal

Soil carbon dynamics under different cropping and pasture management in temperate Australia: Results of three long-term experiments - CSIRO Publishing

View Source
Preview of Soil organic carbon thresholds control fertilizer effects on carbon accrual in croplands worldwide - PMC
Soil organic carbon thresholds control fertilizer effects on carbon accrual in croplands worldwide - PMC
Direct Evidence Journal

Soil organic carbon thresholds control fertilizer effects on carbon accrual in croplands worldwide - PMC

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
  • Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type TargetCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 21 Mar 2026

Notes

Indicative of systems successfully employing regenerative practices over the long term. No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always better up to natural saturation.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TGP-AGR-SOC family.

— % Moderate
Agricultural Crop Production · Degradation Threshold
LowerThreshold Active v2
2.5 % High
Agricultural Crop Production · Pristine Reference
Point Active v1
1.5 % High
Agricultural Crop Production · Pristine Reference
Point Active v1
— % Moderate
Agricultural Crop Production · Degradation Threshold
LowerThreshold Superseded v1