Fungal:Bacterial Ratio

AUS-TGP-CON-SFB General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

2 index

Range: 1.5 to 5 index

Thresholds: Lower: 1, Upper: —

Optimal Range: 1.5 to 5

Direction: Higher is desirable ↑

Form: Point

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 7 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 6 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary Point Guard LowerThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard LowerThreshold Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

Based on this synthesis, a reference value of 2.0 is proposed as a credible and conservative benchmark for a high-health conservation state in Australian Temperate Grassy Woodlands.

Metric Definition:

Fungal:Bacterial Ratio as an integrative bio-indicator reflecting the functional state of the soil ecosystem.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the fungal to bacterial biomass ratio in soil that indicates a high-health conservation state in Australian Temperate Grassy Woodlands, reflecting ecosystem self-regulation and soil health.

Justification:

This value is directly supported by robust data from long-term, unfertilised, unmodified temperate meadows representing a best-on-offer condition, consistent with qualitative Australian evidence and practitioner guides.

Sources (4)

Preview of (PDF) The measurement of soil fungal:bacterial biomass ratios as an ..., accessed July 19, 2025,

(PDF) The measurement of soil fungal:bacterial biomass ratios as an ..., accessed July 19, 2025, Journal

Soil microbial community composition under Eucalyptus plantations of different age in subtropical China - ResearchGate, accessed July 23, 2025

View Source

Different responses of soil fungal and bacterial communities to nitrogen addition in a forest grassland ecotone - Frontiers Journal

Different responses of soil fungal and bacterial communities to nitrogen addition in a forest grassland ecotone - Frontiers

View Source

Restoring Australia's temperate grasslands and grassy woodlands | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed August 12, 2025,

Restoring Australia's temperate grasslands and grassy woodlands | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed May 19, 2025,

View Source

Preview of The incorporation of fungal to bacterial ratios and plant ecosystem effect traits into a state-and-transition model of land-use change in semi-arid grasslands - Research @ Flinders, accessed August 3, 2025

The incorporation of fungal to bacterial ratios and plant ecosystem effect traits into a state-and-transition model of land-use change in semi-arid grasslands - Research @ Flinders, accessed August 3, 2025 Journal

The incorporation of fungal to bacterial ratios and plant ecosystem effect traits into a state-and-transition model of land-use change in semi-arid grasslands - Research @ Flinders

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
Assessment Conservation Target
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 23 Mar 2026

Notes

Lower Critical Threshold: 1 index. No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always better up to natural saturation. Optimal functional range is 1.5 to 5.0.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TGP-CON-SFB family.