Soil Nitrogen

AUS-TGP-LVG-SON General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

3500 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 MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard Point Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

an Upper Detrimental Threshold is identified at >3500 mg/kg.

Metric Definition:

Total Soil Nitrogen (TSN) in the topsoil (0-10 cm) of Australian Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains.

Benchmark Definition:

The point of ecological dysfunction where nitrogen levels indicate a degraded state of eutrophication.

Justification:

Levels exceeding this indicate a degraded state of eutrophication, strongly associated with the loss of native perennial species and invasion by competitive exotic annuals.

Sources (2)

Preview of (PDF) A framework to predict the effects of livestock grazing and grazing exclusion on conservation values in natural ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,

(PDF) A framework to predict the effects of livestock grazing and grazing exclusion on conservation values in natural ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,

Can livestock grazing coexist with plant diversity in Australian rangelands?, accessed July 29, 2025

Preview of Determining reference conditions for management and restoration of temperate grassy woodlands: relationships among trees, topsoils and understorey flora in little-grazed remnants

Determining reference conditions for management and restoration of temperate grassy woodlands: relationships among trees, topsoils and understorey flora in little-grazed remnants Journal

Determining reference conditions for management and restoration of temperate grassy woodlands: relationships among trees, topsoils and understorey flora in little-grazed remnants

Supporting Sources (38)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

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(PDF) Determining reference conditions for management and ..., accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Effects of Stock Grazing on Biodiversity Values in Temperate Native Grasslands and Grassy Woodlands in SE Australia: A Literature Review - ACT Government

Preview of (PDF) Restoring ecological function in temperate grassy woodlands - manipulating soil nutrients, annual exotics and native perennial grasses through carbon supplements and spring burns - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,

(PDF) Restoring ecological function in temperate grassy woodlands - manipulating soil nutrients, annual exotics and native perennial grasses through carbon supplements and spring burns - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

How Biodiversity-Friendly Is Regenerative Grazing? - Frontiers

Preview of Celebrating the Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia's half-birthday ..., accessed August 5, 2025,

Celebrating the Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia's half-birthday ..., accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Celebrating the Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia's half-birthday ...

Preview of Chapter 9 AUSTRALIAN GRASSLANDS - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, accessed August 5, 2025,

Chapter 9 AUSTRALIAN GRASSLANDS - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

How Past Rainfall Shapes Australia's Dryland Ecosystems - Western Sydney University

Preview of Competition for Nitrogen between Australian Native Grasses and the Introduced Weed Nassella trichotoma - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed August 5, 2025,

Competition for Nitrogen between Australian Native Grasses and the Introduced Weed Nassella trichotoma - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Competition for Nitrogen between Australian Native Grasses and the Introduced Weed Nassella trichotoma - PMC - PubMed Central

Preview of Critical review of the impacts of grazing intensity on soil organic carbon storage and other soil quality indicators in extensively managed grasslands - PubMed Central, accessed August 5, 2025,

Critical review of the impacts of grazing intensity on soil organic carbon storage and other soil quality indicators in extensively managed grasslands - PubMed Central, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Biodiversity Conservation Trust Livestock grazing guidelines

Preview of Determining reference conditions for management and restoration of temperate grassy woodlands: Relationships among trees, topsoils and understorey flora in little-grazed remnants - the UWA Profiles and Research Repository, accessed August 5, 2025,

Determining reference conditions for management and restoration of temperate grassy woodlands: Relationships among trees, topsoils and understorey flora in little-grazed remnants - the UWA Profiles and Research Repository, accessed August 5, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Determining reference conditions for management and restoration of temperate grassy woodlands: Relationships among trees, topsoils and understorey flora in little-grazed remnants - the UWA Profiles and Research Repository

Preview of Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space-for-time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments, Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025,

Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space-for-time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments, Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Ludwig, J.A., Bastin, G.N., Chewings, V.H., Eager, R.W., and Liedloff, A.C. (2005). Clearing savannas for use as rangelands in Queensland: Altered landscapes and water-erosion processes. Rangeland Journal, 27(2), 135-149.

Preview of Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from, accessed August 5, 2025,

Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support

The effect of climate change on pastoralism in the Australian arid and semi-arid rangelands - Nuffield Farming Scholarships, accessed July 29, 2025,

Preview of Document - Department for Infrastructure and Transport, accessed August 5, 2025,

Document - Department for Infrastructure and Transport, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Irrelevant Journal

GRASSLANDS & GRASSY WOODLANDS - Corangamite Catchment Management Authority

Preview of FAQs | Native Seeds, accessed August 5, 2025,

FAQs | Native Seeds, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

FAQs | Native Seeds

Preview of Grassed up - Introduction - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed August 5, 2025,

Grassed up - Introduction - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Irrelevant Government

Why phosphorus is important - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 18, 2025

Preview of GRASSLANDS & GRASSY WOODLANDS - Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, accessed August 5, 2025,

GRASSLANDS & GRASSY WOODLANDS - Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) Identifying ecological barriers to restoration in temperate ...

Preview of Grassy woodlands | Landscape Australia, accessed August 5, 2025,

Grassy woodlands | Landscape Australia, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Grassy woodlands | Landscape Australia, accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of How Biodiversity-Friendly Is Regenerative Grazing? - Frontiers, accessed August 5, 2025,

How Biodiversity-Friendly Is Regenerative Grazing? - Frontiers, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

The Science behind Regenerative Agriculture

Preview of Identifying ecological barriers to restoration in temperate grassy woodlands: soil changes associated with different degradation states - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,

Identifying ecological barriers to restoration in temperate grassy woodlands: soil changes associated with different degradation states - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

(PDF) Identifying ecological barriers to restoration in temperate grassy woodlands: soil changes associated with different degradation states - ResearchGate, accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of Identifying ecological thresholds for optimal ecosystem management - INRAE, accessed August 5, 2025,

Identifying ecological thresholds for optimal ecosystem management - INRAE, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Thresholds in Ecological and Social–Ecological Systems: a Developing Database

Preview of Improving native pastures - FutureBeef, accessed August 5, 2025,

Improving native pastures - FutureBeef, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Improving native pastures - FutureBeef

Preview of Increasing and declining native species in urban remnant grasslands respond differently to nitrogen addition and disturbance | Annals of Botany | Oxford Academic, accessed August 5, 2025,

Increasing and declining native species in urban remnant grasslands respond differently to nitrogen addition and disturbance | Annals of Botany | Oxford Academic, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Increasing and declining native species in urban remnant grasslands respond differently to nitrogen addition and disturbance | Annals of Botany | Oxford Academic

Preview of Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,

Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes - ResearchGate

Preview of Managing cattle grazing intensity: effects on soil organic matter and soil nitrogen, accessed August 5, 2025,

Managing cattle grazing intensity: effects on soil organic matter and soil nitrogen, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Is tree planting enough? Investigation of soil condition and composition of vegetation and invertebrate assemblages after ecological restoration in agricultural landscapes - Murdoch Research Portal, accessed July 23, 2025

Preview of Natural Temperate Grassland - ACT Government, accessed August 5, 2025,

Natural Temperate Grassland - ACT Government, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

The phosphorus and nitrogen requirements of temperate pasture species and their influence on grassland botanical composition - The Australian National University

Preview of Nitrogen deficiency-Improved Pasture | Yara Australia, accessed August 5, 2025,

Nitrogen deficiency-Improved Pasture | Yara Australia, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Irrelevant GreyLiterature

Nitrogen deficiency-Improved Pasture | Yara Australia

Preview of NVIS Fact sheet MVG 5 – Eucalypt woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 5, 2025,

NVIS Fact sheet MVG 5 – Eucalypt woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Approved Conservation Advice for the White Box - Yellow Box - Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland - DCCEEW

Preview of Phosphorus fertiliser management for pastures based on native grasses in south-eastern Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025,

Phosphorus fertiliser management for pastures based on native grasses in south-eastern Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Phosphorus nutrition of phosphorus-sensitive Australian native ...

Preview of Regenerative Grazing: 3 Different Approaches - Shorthandstories.com, accessed August 5, 2025,

Regenerative Grazing: 3 Different Approaches - Shorthandstories.com, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Regenerative Grazing: 3 Different Approaches - Shorthandstories.com

Preview of Response of Grazing Land Soil Health to Management Strategies: A Summary Review, accessed August 5, 2025,

Response of Grazing Land Soil Health to Management Strategies: A Summary Review, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Rangeland Soil Quality: Infiltration - Natural Resources Conservation Service, accessed July 18, 2025

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,

Contextual Support 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

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

Preview of The Abundance of Microbial Functional Genes in Grassy Woodlands ..., accessed August 5, 2025,

The Abundance of Microbial Functional Genes in Grassy Woodlands ..., accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Grey Box (Eucalyptus microcarpa) Grassy Woodlands and Derived Native Grasslands of South-eastern Australia, accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of The effect of grazing management and legumes on soil organic carbon stocks in pastoral systems relevant to the Australian Carbon - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 11, 2025

The effect of grazing management and legumes on soil organic carbon stocks in pastoral systems relevant to the Australian Carbon - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 11, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Celebrating the Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia's half-birthday ...

Preview of The effect of grazing management and legumes on soil organic carbon stocks in pastoral systems relevant to the Australian Carbon Credit Unit Scheme: a critical review - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025,

The effect of grazing management and legumes on soil organic carbon stocks in pastoral systems relevant to the Australian Carbon Credit Unit Scheme: a critical review - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

The effect of grazing management and legumes on soil organic carbon stocks in pastoral systems relevant to the Australian Carbon - CSIRO Publishing

Preview of The phosphorus and nitrogen requirements of temperate pasture species and their influence on grassland botanical composition - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025,

The phosphorus and nitrogen requirements of temperate pasture species and their influence on grassland botanical composition - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

3- Build and maintain soil nutrients to improve soil fertility and health in all pasture zones

Preview of The phosphorus and nitrogen requirements of temperate pasture species and their influence on grassland botanical composition - The Australian National University, accessed August 5, 2025,

The phosphorus and nitrogen requirements of temperate pasture species and their influence on grassland botanical composition - The Australian National University, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

The phosphorus and nitrogen requirements of temperate pasture species and their influence on grassland botanical composition - The Australian National University

Preview of Thresholds of functional trait diversity driven by land use ..., accessed August 5, 2025,

Thresholds of functional trait diversity driven by land use ..., accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence

Thresholds of functional trait diversity driven by land use ...

Preview of What are the optimum nutrient targets for pastures? - Soil Health Knowledgebase, accessed August 5, 2025,

What are the optimum nutrient targets for pastures? - Soil Health Knowledgebase, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

What are the optimum nutrient targets for pastures? - Soil Health Knowledgebase, accessed July 18, 2025

Preview of Woodlands - DCCEEW

Woodlands - DCCEEW

Contextual Support

Woodlands - DCCEEW

Preview of Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 5, 2025,

Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 4, 2025,

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
Assessment Not Stated
Vegetation Grassland
Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 27 May 2026

Notes

This threshold is corroborated by studies identifying critical limits for nitrogen inputs, beyond which grassland function abruptly declines. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TGP-LVG-SON family.