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 10 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 9 guard(s) constrain the result.
Evidence & Context
Based on the available data, a scientifically defensible reference range for SOC in the top 0.3 m (30 cm) under such conditions is 110-160 Mg C/ha, which approximates to 3.8% to 5.5% SOC.
Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) content in the top 0.3 m (30 cm) of soil under agricultural land use in the Temperate Broadleaf & Mixed Forests biome.
This benchmark represents the typical range of soil organic carbon percentage in the top 30 cm of soil under sustainable agricultural management in the Temperate Coastal Forests & Woodlands biome in Australia.
The range is derived from data on SOC stocks in Tasmania under pasture on clay-rich soils like Ferrosols and Dermosols, representing best-on-offer scenarios.
Sources (2)
Assessment of soil carbon stores at the farm scale in Tasmania, Australia - IUSS.org
View Source
Carbon stocks in Tasmanian soils - ResearchGate
View SourceSupporting Sources (5)
Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.
Land use and management influences on surface soil organic carbon in Tasmania
View Source
ON THE FARM - THE GOOD DIRT - Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority
View SourceSoil health indicators for monitoring forest ecological restoration: a critical review | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed May 16, 2025
View Source
Pasture health kit - Making More From Sheep, accessed August 9, 2025
View Source