Fungal:Bacterial Ratio

AUS-TDG-CON-SFB General Low confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 1 to 2 index

Optimal Range: 1 to 2

Direction: Higher is desirable ↑

Form: OptimalRange

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

Contributing Benchmarks

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

Evidence & Context

An inferred optimal range for these conservation systems might lie between 1.0 and 2.0, suggesting a balanced microbial community with significant fungal influence, characteristic of stable, mature ecosystems.

Metric Definition:

Optimal functional range of Fungal:Bacterial Ratio indicating good ecological health and balanced microbial community.

Benchmark Definition:

Optimal range of Fungal:Bacterial Ratio reflecting balanced microbial community and good ecosystem health in temperate dry woodlands and native grasslands under conservation.

Justification:

Range inferred from general ecological principles and comparative data from other ecosystems; requires empirical validation in the Australian context.

Sources (2)

Fungal/bacterial ratios in grasslands with contrasting nitrogen ...

Fungal/bacterial ratios in grasslands with contrasting nitrogen ...

View Source

Fungal/bacterial ratios in grasslands with contrasting nitrogen management - ResearchGate, accessed July 18, 2025 Journal

Adaptive multi-paddock grazing increases soil nutrient availability and bacteria to fungi ratio in grassland soils | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed August 9, 2025,

View Source

Supporting Sources (3)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Fungus and bacteria OH MY!! F:B Ratios explained - Mass Hydroponics

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Soil Fungal:Bacterial Ratios Are Linked to Altered Carbon Cycling - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed July 21, 2025

View Source

Response of soil microbial functionality and soil properties to ...

Contextual Support Journal

Pastures to woodlands: Changes in soil microbial communities and carbon following reforestation | Request PDF - ResearchGate

View Source

Role of Soil Fungus | Ohioline - The Ohio State University, accessed on June 5, 2025

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

The fungal-bacterial ratio for soil health - Farmer's Weekly, accessed June 7, 2025,

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type TargetCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 24 Mar 2026

Notes

Reflects balanced microbial system with significant fungal influence; higher ratios correlated with greater carbon sequestration and nutrient retention. No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always better up to natural saturation.

Related Benchmarks

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