Soil Nitrogen

AUS-TMI-FOR-SON General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

800 mg/kg
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.

Evidence & Context

The native eucalypt forest of the Tiwi Islands provides the Lower Critical Threshold, a floor below which the system is degraded. This is estimated to be in the range of 800-1000 mg/kg.

Metric Definition:

Total soil nitrogen within production forestry systems in Australia's Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands biome.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the natural, pre-disturbance soil nitrogen level in native eucalypt forests of Australia's Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands biome, below which ecosystem degradation occurs.

Justification:

Estimated from SLGA data and literature analogues; a study in Malaysia reported a topsoil (0-10 cm) total nitrogen content of 0.08% (800 mg/kg) as a reasonable proxy.

Sources (2)

Preview of (PDF) Impact of thinning of Acacia mangium plantation on soil ..., accessed July 30, 2025,
(PDF) Impact of thinning of Acacia mangium plantation on soil ..., accessed July 30, 2025, GreyLiterature

(PDF) Impact of thinning of Acacia mangium plantation on soil ...

View Source
Preview of Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia - CSIRO, accessed July 30, 2025,
Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia - CSIRO, accessed July 30, 2025, Government

Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia - CSIRO

View Source

Supporting Sources (36)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of 8 March 2009 To the inquiry I am writing to express my experience and opinion regarding the forest operations currently taking p, accessed July 30, 2025,
8 March 2009 To the inquiry I am writing to express my experience and opinion regarding the forest operations currently taking p, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Acacia mangium - Kauai Invasive Species Committee (KISC)

View Source
Preview of Acacia mangium - Kauai Invasive Species Committee (KISC), accessed July 30, 2025,
Acacia mangium - Kauai Invasive Species Committee (KISC), accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Acacia mangium - Kauai Invasive Species Committee (KISC), accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of Acacia mangium - Wikipedia, accessed July 30, 2025,
Acacia mangium - Wikipedia, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Acacia mangium - Wikipedia

View Source
Preview of Acacia mangium (brown salwood) | CABI Compendium, accessed August 1, 2025,
Acacia mangium (brown salwood) | CABI Compendium, accessed August 1, 2025,
Contextual Support

Acacia mangium (brown salwood) | CABI Compendium, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of assessment report 29 - NTEPA - Northern Territory Government, accessed August 1, 2025,
assessment report 29 - NTEPA - Northern Territory Government, accessed August 1, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Methods and approaches to support Indigenous water planning: An example from the Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory, Australia - Find an Expert - The University of Melbourne, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of Benefits of planting Acacia mangium in terms of land restoration, C sequestration, soil fertility and tree production in different ecosystems - ResearchGate, accessed July 30, 2025,
Benefits of planting Acacia mangium in terms of land restoration, C sequestration, soil fertility and tree production in different ecosystems - ResearchGate, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Benefits of planting Acacia mangium in terms of land restoration, C sequestration, soil fertility and tree production in different ecosystems - ResearchGate

View Source
Preview of BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION ON THE TIWI ISLANDS, NORTHERN TERRITORY: Part 1. Environments and plants, accessed July 30, 2025,
BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION ON THE TIWI ISLANDS, NORTHERN TERRITORY: Part 1. Environments and plants, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Plantation Forestry and Economic Development in the Tiwi Islands

View Source
Preview of BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION ON THE TIWI ISLANDS, NORTHERN TERRITORY: Part 3. Management and planning for biodi, accessed August 1, 2025,
BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION ON THE TIWI ISLANDS, NORTHERN TERRITORY: Part 3. Management and planning for biodi, accessed August 1, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Acacia mangium (brown salwood) | CABI Compendium, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of Carbon Program - Tiwi Resources, accessed July 30, 2025,
Carbon Program - Tiwi Resources, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Carbon Program - Tiwi Resources, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of Categories - Zund, Peter - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed July 30, 2025,
Categories - Zund, Peter - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Eucalyptus growth in relation to combined nitrogen and phosphorus fertiliser and soil chemistry in Tasmania

View Source
Preview of Climate & Seasons | Australian Wildlife Journeys, accessed July 30, 2025,
Climate & Seasons | Australian Wildlife Journeys, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Irrelevant GreyLiterature

Soil erosion as a resilience drain in disturbed tropical forests

View Source
Preview of Eucalyptus growth in relation to combined nitrogen and phosphorus fertiliser and soil chemistry in Tasmania, accessed July 30, 2025, )/08Smethurst.pdf
Eucalyptus growth in relation to combined nitrogen and phosphorus fertiliser and soil chemistry in Tasmania, accessed July 30, 2025, )/08Smethurst.pdf
Contextual Support

Eucalyptus growth in relation to combined nitrogen and phosphorus fertiliser and soil chemistry in Tasmania, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of Forestry | Department of Agriculture and Fisheries - Northern Territory Government, accessed July 30, 2025,
Forestry | Department of Agriculture and Fisheries - Northern Territory Government, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Forestry | Department of Agriculture and Fisheries - Northern Territory Government, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of Full article: Nutrient management of contrasting Acacia mangium genotypes and weed management strategies in South Sumatra, Indonesia, accessed July 30, 2025,
Full article: Nutrient management of contrasting Acacia mangium genotypes and weed management strategies in South Sumatra, Indonesia, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Acacia mangium (brown salwood) | CABI Compendium

View Source
Preview of Great Southern Plantations in the Tiwi Islands - Bad Developers Environmental Exposure Website, accessed July 30, 2025,
Great Southern Plantations in the Tiwi Islands - Bad Developers Environmental Exposure Website, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Great Southern Plantations in the Tiwi Islands - Bad Developers Environmental Exposure Website, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of Incredible Great Barrier Reef Islands For Your Holiday - Visitor's Guide - Queensland, accessed July 30, 2025,
Incredible Great Barrier Reef Islands For Your Holiday - Visitor's Guide - Queensland, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Irrelevant

Incredible Great Barrier Reef Islands For Your Holiday - Visitor's Guide - Queensland, accessed August 2, 2025

View Source
Preview of Inquiry into forestry and mining operations on the Tiwi Islands, accessed July 30, 2025,
Inquiry into forestry and mining operations on the Tiwi Islands, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION ON THE TIWI ISLANDS, NORTHERN TERRITORY: Part 3. Management and planning for biodi

View Source
Preview of List of islands of Australia - Wikipedia, accessed July 30, 2025,
List of islands of Australia - Wikipedia, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Irrelevant GreyLiterature

List of islands of Australia - Wikipedia

View Source
Preview of Natural Resource Management Research - Tiwi Land Council, accessed July 30, 2025,
Natural Resource Management Research - Tiwi Land Council, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Irrelevant Government

Sustainable development on Indigenous lands - Sustainability - The University of Melbourne

View Source
Preview of Nitrogen fixation of Acacia mangium Willd. from two seed sources grown at different levels of phosphorus in an Ultisol, South Sumatra, Indonesia | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 30, 2025,
Nitrogen fixation of Acacia mangium Willd. from two seed sources grown at different levels of phosphorus in an Ultisol, South Sumatra, Indonesia | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Nitrogen fixation of Acacia mangium Willd. from two seed sources grown at different levels of phosphorus in an Ultisol, South Sumatra, Indonesia | Request PDF - ResearchGate

View Source
Preview of Nitrogen management in Eucalyptus nitens plantations - ResearchGate, accessed July 30, 2025,
Nitrogen management in Eucalyptus nitens plantations - ResearchGate, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

Nitrogen management in Eucalyptus nitens plantations - ResearchGate

View Source
Preview of Potential of Bioassays to Assess Consequences of Cultivation of Acacia mangium Trees on Nitrogen Bioavailability to Eucalyptus Trees: Two Case-Studies in Contrasting Tropical Soils - MDPI, accessed July 30, 2025,
Potential of Bioassays to Assess Consequences of Cultivation of Acacia mangium Trees on Nitrogen Bioavailability to Eucalyptus Trees: Two Case-Studies in Contrasting Tropical Soils - MDPI, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Potential of Bioassays to Assess Consequences of Cultivation of Acacia mangium Trees on Nitrogen Bioavailability to Eucalyptus Trees: Two Case-Studies in Contrasting Tropical Soils - MDPI

View Source
Preview of Priorities for improving soil condition across Australia's agricultural landscapes - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed July 30, 2025,
Priorities for improving soil condition across Australia's agricultural landscapes - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Tropical Rainforest (1993)

View Source
Preview of Queensland tropical rain forests - Wikipedia, accessed July 30, 2025,
Queensland tropical rain forests - Wikipedia, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support

Queensland tropical rain forests - Wikipedia, accessed July 31, 2025

View Source
Preview of Reforestation in the Tropics and Subtropics of Australia - ResearchGate, accessed July 30, 2025,
Reforestation in the Tropics and Subtropics of Australia - ResearchGate, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Forestry | Department of Agriculture and Fisheries - Northern Territory Government

View Source
Preview of Resource management for growers | NT.GOV.AU, accessed July 30, 2025,
Resource management for growers | NT.GOV.AU, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Resource management for growers | NT.GOV.AU, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of SLGA: Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia (Soil Attributes) | Earth Engine Data Catalog, accessed July 30, 2025,
SLGA: Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia (Soil Attributes) | Earth Engine Data Catalog, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Methodology Source

Soil and Landscape Grid National Soil Attribute Maps - Cation Exchange Capacity (3" resolution) - Release 1 - Research Data Australia

View Source
Preview of Soil and Landscape Grid National Soil Attribute Maps - Total Nitrogen (3" resolution) - Release 2 - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed August 5, 2025,
Soil and Landscape Grid National Soil Attribute Maps - Total Nitrogen (3" resolution) - Release 2 - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed August 5, 2025,
Direct Evidence Government

Geology | Norfolk Island National Park | Parks Australia

View Source
Preview of Soil and Landscape Grid National Soil Attribute Maps - Total Nitrogen (3" resolution) - Release 2 | Datasets | data.gov.au, accessed August 5, 2025,
Soil and Landscape Grid National Soil Attribute Maps - Total Nitrogen (3" resolution) - Release 2 | Datasets | data.gov.au, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Direct Evidence Methodology Source

SLGA: Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia (Soil Attributes) | Earth Engine Data Catalog

View Source
Preview of Sustainable development on Indigenous lands - Sustainability - The University of Melbourne, accessed July 30, 2025,
Sustainable development on Indigenous lands - Sustainability - The University of Melbourne, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Tiwi Islands Indigenous Protected Area | Plan of Management 2023-2033

View Source
Preview of The Secretary - Parliament of Australia, accessed July 30, 2025,
The Secretary - Parliament of Australia, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Inquiry into forestry and mining operations on the Tiwi Islands

View Source
Preview of Tiwi Islands Indigenous Protected Area | Plan of Management 2023-2033, accessed July 30, 2025, ).pdf
Tiwi Islands Indigenous Protected Area | Plan of Management 2023-2033, accessed July 30, 2025, ).pdf
Contextual Support

Tiwi Islands Fire and Weed Management Plan 2021

View Source
Preview of Tiwi Islands Shows Indigenous Role in Future Forest Care - Wood Central, accessed July 30, 2025,
Tiwi Islands Shows Indigenous Role in Future Forest Care - Wood Central, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Tiwi Islands Shows Indigenous Role in Future Forest Care - Wood Central, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of Tiwi Plantation Corporation and Port Melville - Transparency Portal, accessed July 30, 2025,
Tiwi Plantation Corporation and Port Melville - Transparency Portal, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Forestry | Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

View Source
Preview of Tropical Rainforest (1993), accessed July 30, 2025,
Tropical Rainforest (1993), accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Australia's State of the Forests Report Synthesis 2023, accessed July 31, 2025

View Source
Preview of Wet Tropics of Queensland - UNESCO World Heritage Centre, accessed July 22, 2025,
Wet Tropics of Queensland - UNESCO World Heritage Centre, accessed July 22, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Wet Tropics of Queensland - UNESCO World Heritage Centre, accessed July 23, 2025

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands
  • Land Use Production Forestry
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Vegetation Forest
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 27 May 2026

Notes

Levels below this indicate net degradation.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TMI-FOR-SON family.

1300 mg/kg Moderate
Production Forestry · Conservation Target · Forest
Point Active v1
2000 mg/kg Low
Production Forestry · Not Stated · Forest
MaximumOnly Active v1