Soil Organic Carbon (SOC)

AUS-AKW-AGR-SOC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 1.28 to 1.99 %

Optimal Range: 1.28 to 1.99

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 MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard Point Guard CompositeFramework Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard

Evidence & Context

Synthesizing the data from the Lower and Western Eyre Peninsula agricultural districts provides the following benchmarks for best available condition in cropping systems.

Metric Definition:

Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) concentration in the 0-10 cm soil layer in cropping systems on calcareous soils (Calcarosols).

Benchmark Definition:

The 75th percentile of observed SOC values in cropping systems on calcareous soils, representing a high-performing, achievable state under best-practice regenerative management.

Justification:

Based on a large dataset of over 35,000 farm soil samples collected over 17 years in the Eyre Peninsula, a robust proxy for the specified biome and land use.

Sources (1)

Preview of Soil carbon monitoring and trends - Department for Environment and Water, accessed August 5, 2025,

Soil carbon monitoring and trends - Department for Environment and Water, accessed August 5, 2025, Government

Soil carbon monitoring and trends - Department for Environment and Water

Supporting Sources (37)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Drivers of soil organic carbon storage and vertical distribution in Eastern Australia, accessed July 22, 2025,

(PDF) Drivers of soil organic carbon storage and vertical distribution in Eastern Australia, accessed July 22, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Soil respiration–driven CO2 pulses dominate Australia's flux variability

Preview of Baseline map of organic carbon in Australian soil to support national carbon accounting and monitoring under climate change - PubMed, accessed July 22, 2025,

Baseline map of organic carbon in Australian soil to support national carbon accounting and monitoring under climate change - PubMed, accessed July 22, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Baseline map of organic carbon in Australian soil to support national carbon accounting and monitoring under climate change - PubMed Central, accessed July 22, 2025,

Preview of Calcareous Soils Initiative - GRDC, accessed July 22, 2025,

Calcareous Soils Initiative - GRDC, accessed July 22, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Some Characteristics of Calcareous soils. A review A.S. Taalab1, G.W. Ageeb2, Hanan S. Siam1 and Safaa A. Mahmoud1 - CURRENT RESEARCH WEB

Preview of Climate of South Australia - Britannica, accessed July 22, 2025,

Climate of South Australia - Britannica, accessed July 22, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Mediterranean forests, woodlands and scrubs – Australian Acoustic Observatory | A2O, accessed July 13, 2025

Preview of Discover the Top 6 Benefits of Regenerative Farming in Australia, accessed July 22, 2025,

Discover the Top 6 Benefits of Regenerative Farming in Australia, accessed July 22, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Regenerative ... - Landscape South Australia - Eyre Peninsula, accessed August 28, 2025

Preview of Exploring Soil Carbon in the Mallee - Soils Connect, accessed July 6, 2025,

Exploring Soil Carbon in the Mallee - Soils Connect, accessed July 6, 2025,

Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

Mallee plants - Australian National Botanic Gardens, accessed July 22, 2025,

Preview of Eyre Peninsula | South Australia | soilquality.org.au, accessed July 22, 2025,

Eyre Peninsula | South Australia | soilquality.org.au, accessed July 22, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Eyre Peninsula | South Australia | soilquality.org.au, accessed July 27, 2025

Preview of Farmers take up soil carbon improvements - Landscape SA, accessed July 22, 2025,

Farmers take up soil carbon improvements - Landscape SA, accessed July 22, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Soil Carbon Sequestration Potential: A review for Australian agriculture - MLA, accessed July 22, 2025,

Preview of Forest Soil Heterogeneity and Soil Sampling Protocols ... - SciSpace, accessed July 22, 2025,

Forest Soil Heterogeneity and Soil Sampling Protocols ... - SciSpace, accessed July 22, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Australian Soil Classification edition 3 - CALCAROSOLS, accessed July 22, 2025,

Preview of Full article: Making soil carbon credits work for climate change mitigation, accessed July 22, 2025,

Full article: Making soil carbon credits work for climate change mitigation, accessed July 22, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Full article: Making soil carbon credits work for climate change mitigation, accessed July 22, 2025,

Preview of functions-of-soil-organic-matter-and-the-effect-on-soil-properties.pdf.pdf, accessed July 22, 2025,

functions-of-soil-organic-matter-and-the-effect-on-soil-properties.pdf.pdf, accessed July 22, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

The Rangeland Journal - CSIRO PUBLISHING

Preview of How much organic carbon could the soil store? The carbon sequestration potential of Australian soil - Rothamsted Repository, accessed July 22, 2025,

How much organic carbon could the soil store? The carbon sequestration potential of Australian soil - Rothamsted Repository, accessed July 22, 2025,

Direct Evidence

How much organic carbon could the soil store? The carbon sequestration potential of Australian soil - Rothamsted Repository, accessed July 22, 2025,

Preview of Joe Jennings map collection | Catalogue | National Library of Australia, accessed July 22, 2025,

Joe Jennings map collection | Catalogue | National Library of Australia, accessed July 22, 2025,

Irrelevant

Joe Jennings map collection | Catalogue | National Library of Australia, accessed July 22, 2025,

Preview of Karstic Landscapes Are Foci of Species Diversity in the World's Third-Largest Vertebrate Genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Reptilia: Squamata; Gekkonidae) - MDPI, accessed July 22, 2025,

Karstic Landscapes Are Foci of Species Diversity in the World's Third-Largest Vertebrate Genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Reptilia: Squamata; Gekkonidae) - MDPI, accessed July 22, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Karstic Landscapes Are Foci of Species Diversity in the World's Third-Largest Vertebrate Genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Reptilia: Squamata; Gekkonidae) - MDPI, accessed July 22, 2025,

Preview of Managing nutrient deficiencies in crops on calcareous soils - Cherry Times, accessed July 22, 2025,

Managing nutrient deficiencies in crops on calcareous soils - Cherry Times, accessed July 22, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Managing nutrient deficiencies in crops on calcareous soils - Cherry Times, accessed July 22, 2025,

$Preview of Mapping soil organic carbon fractions for Australia, their stocks, and uncertainty - BG, accessed July 22, 2025,$

Mapping soil organic carbon fractions for Australia, their stocks, and uncertainty - BG, accessed July 22, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Relationships of soil respiration to microbial biomass, substrate availability and clay content | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 23, 2025,

$Preview of Mapping soil organic carbon fractions for Australia, their stocks, and uncertainty - BG, accessed July 6, 2025,$

Mapping soil organic carbon fractions for Australia, their stocks, and uncertainty - BG, accessed July 6, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Benefits and trade-offs of soil organic carbon sequestration - OAPEN Library

Preview of Measuring organic carbon in Calcarosols: understanding the pitfalls and complications - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Soil Research, accessed July 22, 2025,

Measuring organic carbon in Calcarosols: understanding the pitfalls and complications - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Soil Research, accessed July 22, 2025,

Methodology Source Journal

Measuring organic carbon in Calcarosols: understanding the pitfalls and complications - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Soil Research, accessed July 22, 2025,

Preview of Measuring organic carbon in Calcarosols: understanding the pitfalls and complications, accessed July 22, 2025,

Measuring organic carbon in Calcarosols: understanding the pitfalls and complications, accessed July 22, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Soil Salinity Explained, accessed July 11, 2025

Preview of Pasture cropping: A regenerative solution from Down Under | Opinions | Al Jazeera, accessed August 4, 2025

Pasture cropping: A regenerative solution from Down Under | Opinions | Al Jazeera, accessed August 4, 2025

Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

An Economic Analysis of No-till Farming on the Upper Eyre Peninsula SA - CABI Digital Library, accessed July 22, 2025,

Preview of Practice Guide: Multispecies Cropping - Soils For Life, accessed August 4, 2025

Practice Guide: Multispecies Cropping - Soils For Life, accessed August 4, 2025

Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

Our Macadamia Trees: A Thriving Example of Biodiversity on a Commercial Farm

Preview of Practice Guide: Multispecies Cropping - Soils For Life, accessed July 22, 2025,

Practice Guide: Multispecies Cropping - Soils For Life, accessed July 22, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Practice Guide: Multispecies Cropping - Soils For Life, accessed July 22, 2025,

$Preview of Quantifying organic carbon in particulate and mineral-associated fractions of calcareous soils 20 - WUR eDepot, accessed July 22, 2025,$

Quantifying organic carbon in particulate and mineral-associated fractions of calcareous soils 20 - WUR eDepot, accessed July 22, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Quantifying organic carbon in particulate and mineral-associated fractions of calcareous soils 20 - WUR eDepot, accessed July 22, 2025,

Preview of Regenerative Agriculture - Landscape SA, accessed July 6, 2025,

Regenerative Agriculture - Landscape SA, accessed July 6, 2025,

Direct Evidence Government

Regenerative Agriculture Program - Landscape SA

Preview of Regenerative agriculture in Australia: the changing face of farming - Frontiers, accessed August 4, 2025

Regenerative agriculture in Australia: the changing face of farming - Frontiers, accessed August 4, 2025

Direct Evidence Journal

Regenerative agriculture is key to dry season preparation - Soils For Life, accessed July 23, 2025

Preview of Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed August 5, 2025,

Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed August 5, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed July 20, 2025,

Preview of Revitalize Dry Land with Regenerative Agriculture Practices, accessed July 6, 2025,

Revitalize Dry Land with Regenerative Agriculture Practices, accessed July 6, 2025,

Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

Pasture cropping: A regenerative solution from Down Under | Opinions | Al Jazeera, accessed July 22, 2025,

Preview of Soil 6 the driver of carbon dioxide variability over Australia, accessed July 22, 2025,

Soil 6 the driver of carbon dioxide variability over Australia, accessed July 22, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Soil 6 the driver of carbon dioxide variability over Australia, accessed July 22, 2025,

Preview of Soil Carbon Sequestration Potential: A review for Australian agriculture - MLA, accessed August 5, 2025,

Soil Carbon Sequestration Potential: A review for Australian agriculture - MLA, accessed August 5, 2025,

Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

Coexistence of shrubs and grass in a semi-arid landscape: a case study of mulga (Acacia aneura, Mimosaceae) shrublands embedded in fire-prone spinifex (Triodia pungens, Poaceae) hummock grasslands - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Australian Journal of Botany

Preview of Soil Constraints in an Arid Environment—Challenges, Prospects, and Implications - MDPI, accessed July 6, 2025,

Soil Constraints in an Arid Environment—Challenges, Prospects, and Implications - MDPI, accessed July 6, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Soil Constraints in an Arid Environment—Challenges, Prospects, and Implications - MDPI

Preview of Soil management - Landscape South Australia - Eyre Peninsula, accessed July 13, 2025

Soil management - Landscape South Australia - Eyre Peninsula, accessed July 13, 2025

Direct Evidence Government

Soil management - Landscape South Australia - Eyre Peninsula, accessed July 22, 2025

Preview of Soil organic matter in cropping systems - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 22, 2025,

Soil organic matter in cropping systems - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 22, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

SOIL pH—SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Preview of soil_carbon_guidelines.docx - Department for Environment and Water, accessed July 22, 2025,

soil_carbon_guidelines.docx - Department for Environment and Water, accessed July 22, 2025,

Direct Evidence

soil_carbon_guidelines.docx - Department for Environment and Water, accessed July 22, 2025,

Preview of Some Characteristics of Calcareous soils. A review A.S. Taalab1, G.W. Ageeb2, Hanan S. Siam1 and Safaa A. Mahmoud1 - CURRENT RESEARCH WEB, accessed July 22, 2025,

Some Characteristics of Calcareous soils. A review A.S. Taalab1, G.W. Ageeb2, Hanan S. Siam1 and Safaa A. Mahmoud1 - CURRENT RESEARCH WEB, accessed July 22, 2025,

Methodology Source Journal

Some Characteristics of Calcareous soils. A review A.S. Taalab1, G.W. Ageeb2, Hanan S. Siam1 and Safaa A. Mahmoud1 - CURRENT RESEARCH WEB, accessed July 22, 2025,

Preview of Time of sowing influences wheat responses to applied phosphorus in alkaline calcareous soils in a temperate climate - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Crop and Pasture Science, accessed July 22, 2025,

Time of sowing influences wheat responses to applied phosphorus in alkaline calcareous soils in a temperate climate - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Crop and Pasture Science, accessed July 22, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Overcoming soil constraints in highly calcareous soils - Soil CRC, accessed July 22, 2025,

Preview of Understanding the Impacts of Soil, Climate, and Farming ... - Frontiers, accessed July 6, 2025,

Understanding the Impacts of Soil, Climate, and Farming ... - Frontiers, accessed July 6, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Soil Carbon Sequestration Potential: A review for Australian agriculture - MLA, accessed July 6, 2025

Preview of Understanding your soil carbon project - simple method guide - Clean Energy Regulator, accessed July 22, 2025,

Understanding your soil carbon project - simple method guide - Clean Energy Regulator, accessed July 22, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Understanding your soil carbon project - simple method guide - Clean Energy Regulator, accessed July 22, 2025,

Context

Region Australia
Biome Arid Karstic Woodlands & Shrublands
Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Superseded
Version 1
Effective From 4 Jun 2026
Effective To 4 Jun 2026

Notes

Ranges vary by soil texture reflecting local differences in rainfall and management history. The upper boundary is a natural saturation point with no evidence of detrimental ecological effects. No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always better up to natural saturation. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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