Soil Nitrogen — Benchmark Detail - Nature Index

Benchmark Value

2000 mg/kg

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: MaximumOnly

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 MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard OptimalRange Guard Point Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard

Evidence & Context

a conceptual upper detrimental threshold could be placed in the range of >2000-2500 mg/kg.

Metric Definition:

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

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark marks the conceptual upper soil nitrogen level in production forestry systems beyond which ecosystem health is negatively impacted by excessive nutrient inputs.

Justification:

Based on the values observed in well-managed plantations (up to 1400 mg/kg), levels above 2000 mg/kg indicate a shift from a biologically-driven ecosystem to a high-input, high-leakage agro-industrial system.

Sources (1)

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, Journal

Plantation Forestry and Economic Development in the Tiwi Islands

Supporting Sources (37)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

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,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

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

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)

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

Preview of Acacia mangium - Wikipedia, accessed July 30, 2025,

Acacia mangium - Wikipedia, accessed July 30, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Acacia mangium - Wikipedia

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia - CSIRO, accessed July 30, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Methodology Source Government

Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia - CSIRO

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands
Land Use Production Forestry
Assessment Not Stated
Vegetation Forest
Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 27 May 2026

Notes

Conceptual threshold; levels this high likely indicate excessive reliance on artificial fertilizers. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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