Fungal:Bacterial Ratio

AUS-AMR-LVG-SFB General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

0.3 index
Thresholds: Lower: 0.3, Upper: —
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: LowerThreshold

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 14 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 13 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary Point Guard LowerThreshold Guard UpperThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard LowerThreshold Guard Point Guard LowerThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard Point Guard LowerThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard UpperThreshold Guard Point Guard

Evidence & Context

In grassland systems, F:B ratios consistently below 0.5, and particularly below 0.3, signal such a condition.

Metric Definition:

Lower critical threshold of F:B ratio indicating ecological impairment and degraded soil function.

Benchmark Definition:

This threshold indicates the Fungal:Bacterial ratio level below which soil ecological function is significantly impaired in grassland systems, reflecting degraded soil health and function.

Justification:

Values below 0.3 indicate bacterial dominance associated with poor soil structure, inefficient nutrient cycling, and low carbon sequestration potential.

Sources (2)

Preview of (PDF) Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes - ResearchGate, accessed May 11, 2025
(PDF) Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes - ResearchGate, accessed May 11, 2025 Journal

Fertilisers and the environment - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed May 11, 2025

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ResearchOnline@JCU - James Cook University, accessed on June 7, 2025 Journal

Sugarcane cultivation altered soil nitrogen cycling microbial processes and decreased nitrogen bioavailability in tropical Australia - ResearchOnline@JCU, accessed July 29, 2025

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Supporting Sources (31)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Climate and Biodiversity Credentials for Australian Grass-Fed Beef: A Review of Standards, Certification and Assurance Schemes - ResearchGate, accessed July 29, 2025
(PDF) Climate and Biodiversity Credentials for Australian Grass-Fed Beef: A Review of Standards, Certification and Assurance Schemes - ResearchGate, accessed July 29, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) Introducing BASE: The Biomes of Australian Soil Environments soil microbial diversity database - ResearchGate, accessed August 9, 2025,

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Preview of (PDF) Management Practices of Pasture, Range and Grazing Reserves for Livestock Production in the Tropics: A Review - ResearchGate, accessed July 29, 2025
(PDF) Management Practices of Pasture, Range and Grazing Reserves for Livestock Production in the Tropics: A Review - ResearchGate, accessed July 29, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Grazing Intensity Modifies Soil Microbial Diversity and Their Co-Occurrence Networks in an Alpine Steppe, Central Tibet, accessed July 29, 2025

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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,
Methodology Source Journal

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

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Preview of Australian dryland soils are acidic and nutrient ... - Arid Ecology Lab, accessed August 3, 2025
Australian dryland soils are acidic and nutrient ... - Arid Ecology Lab, accessed August 3, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Biogeographical patterns of the soil fungal:bacterial ratio across France | mSphere, accessed July 29, 2025

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Preview of Australian dryland soils are acidic and nutrient-depleted, and have unique microbial communities compared with other drylands - PMC, accessed August 5, 2025,
Australian dryland soils are acidic and nutrient-depleted, and have unique microbial communities compared with other drylands - PMC, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Root Structure and Functioning for Efficient Acquisition of Phosphorus: Matching Morphological and Physiological Traits

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Preview of Australian Microbiome - Bioplatforms Australia
Australian Microbiome - Bioplatforms Australia
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Australian Microbiome - Bioplatforms Australia, accessed July 30, 2025,

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Preview of Australian Soils and Landscapes | Monitoring & Data | TERN - esoil.io, accessed July 30, 2025,
Australian Soils and Landscapes | Monitoring & Data | TERN - esoil.io, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Australian Soils and Landscapes | Monitoring & Data | TERN - esoil.io, accessed July 17, 2025,

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Preview of Biogeographical patterns of the soil fungal:bacterial ratio across France | mSphere, accessed July 28, 2025
Biogeographical patterns of the soil fungal:bacterial ratio across France | mSphere, accessed July 28, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Mechanisms and implications of bacterial–fungal competition for soil resources - PMC, accessed June 7, 2025,

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Preview of Bioplatforms Australia Data Portal User Support, accessed July 29, 2025
Bioplatforms Australia Data Portal User Support, accessed July 29, 2025
Methodology Source GreyLiterature

Bioplatforms Australia Data Portal User Support, accessed July 29, 2025

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Preview of Climate and Biodiversity Credentials for Australian Grass-Fed Beef: A Review of Standards, Certification and Assurance Schemes - MDPI, accessed July 29, 2025
Climate and Biodiversity Credentials for Australian Grass-Fed Beef: A Review of Standards, Certification and Assurance Schemes - MDPI, accessed July 29, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Climate and Biodiversity Credentials for Australian Grass-Fed Beef: A Review of Standards, Certification and Assurance Schemes - MDPI, accessed July 29, 2025

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Preview of Developing a Grazing System for Arid Climates | New Mexico State University, accessed July 29, 2025
Developing a Grazing System for Arid Climates | New Mexico State University, accessed July 29, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Developing a Grazing System for Arid Climates | New Mexico State University, accessed July 29, 2025

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Preview of Effects of grazing and fire management on rangeland soil and biocrust microbiomes, accessed July 29, 2025
Effects of grazing and fire management on rangeland soil and biocrust microbiomes, accessed July 29, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

How grazing management influences biocrust community composition in the Northern Territory rangelands - ResearchGate, accessed July 29, 2025

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Preview of Effects of Grazing Intensity on Soil Bacterial and Fungal Community Structure in Grasslands, accessed July 29, 2025
Effects of Grazing Intensity on Soil Bacterial and Fungal Community Structure in Grasslands, accessed July 29, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Effects of Grazing Intensity on Soil Bacterial and Fungal Community Structure in Grasslands, accessed July 29, 2025

View Source
Preview of Fungal to Bacterial Ratios: What and Why? - Ward Laboratories, Inc., accessed July 29, 2025
Fungal to Bacterial Ratios: What and Why? - Ward Laboratories, Inc., accessed July 29, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Controls on soil microbial community stability under climate change - Frontiers, accessed July 29, 2025

View Source
Preview of Fungal/bacterial ratios in grasslands with contrasting nitrogen management - ResearchGate, accessed July 18, 2025
Fungal/bacterial ratios in grasslands with contrasting nitrogen management - ResearchGate, accessed July 18, 2025
Direct Evidence Journal

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

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Preview of grazing impacts on the spatial distribution of soil microbial biomass around tussock grasses in a tropical grassland - Publication : USDA ARS
grazing impacts on the spatial distribution of soil microbial biomass around tussock grasses in a tropical grassland - Publication : USDA ARS
Contextual Support Journal

Soil microbial community structure is unaltered by grazing intensity and plant species richness in a temperate grassland steppe in northern China - Publication : USDA ARS, accessed July 29, 2025

View Source
Preview of Grazing Intensity Modifies Soil Microbial Diversity and Their Co-Occurrence Networks in an Alpine Steppe, Central Tibet, accessed on June 5, 2025
Grazing Intensity Modifies Soil Microbial Diversity and Their Co-Occurrence Networks in an Alpine Steppe, Central Tibet, accessed on June 5, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

How does livestock graze management affect woodland soil health? - Frontiers, accessed July 29, 2025

View Source
Preview of Grazing management impacts on vegetation, soil biota and soil chemical, physical and hydrological properties in tall grass prairie, accessed July 29, 2025
Grazing management impacts on vegetation, soil biota and soil chemical, physical and hydrological properties in tall grass prairie, accessed July 29, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Grazing management impacts on vegetation, soil biota and soil chemical, physical and hydrological properties in tall grass prairie, accessed July 29, 2025

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Preview of Grazing management impacts on vegetation, soil biota and soil chemical, physical and hydrological properties in tall grass prairie, accessed May 12, 2025
Grazing management impacts on vegetation, soil biota and soil chemical, physical and hydrological properties in tall grass prairie, accessed May 12, 2025
Direct Evidence

Adaptive multi-paddock grazing management's influence on soil food web community structure for: increasing pasture forage production, soil organic carbon, and reducing soil respiration rates in southeastern USA ranches, accessed July 29, 2025

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Preview of Grazing Regulates Changes in Soil Microbial Communities in Plant-Soil Systems - MDPI
Grazing Regulates Changes in Soil Microbial Communities in Plant-Soil Systems - MDPI
Contextual Support Journal

Managing Pastures for Soil Health FACT SHEET 12 - Local Land Services, accessed July 11, 2025,

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Preview of How Biodiversity-Friendly Is Regenerative Grazing? - Frontiers, accessed July 29, 2025
How Biodiversity-Friendly Is Regenerative Grazing? - Frontiers, accessed July 29, 2025
Direct Evidence Journal

(PDF) Soil community changes during secondary succession to naturalized grasslands, accessed August 9, 2025,

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Preview of Impact of Rocky Desertification Control on Soil Bacterial Community in Karst Graben Basin, Southwestern China - Frontiers, accessed July 23, 2025,
Impact of Rocky Desertification Control on Soil Bacterial Community in Karst Graben Basin, Southwestern China - Frontiers, accessed July 23, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Aridity Threshold Induces Abrupt Change of Soil Abundant and Rare Bacterial Biogeography in Dryland Ecosystems - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed July 29, 2025

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Preview of Ingham, E. R. (Various publications and resources, e.g., USDA NCRS Soil Biology Primer, Soil Foodweb Inc. materials)..4
Ingham, E. R. (Various publications and resources, e.g., USDA NCRS Soil Biology Primer, Soil Foodweb Inc. materials)..4
Contextual Support Journal

Are Fungal to Bacterial Ratios (F:B Ratio) Important for Plant Growth? - Garden Myths, accessed July 11, 2025,

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Preview of Managing Grazing to Restore Soil Health, Ecosystem Function, and Ecosystem Services - Frontiers, accessed August 9, 2025
Managing Grazing to Restore Soil Health, Ecosystem Function, and Ecosystem Services - Frontiers, accessed August 9, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Contrasting Soil pH Effects on Fungal and Bacterial Growth Suggest Functional Redundancy in Carbon Mineralization - PMC, accessed August 9, 2025,

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Preview of Mapping Australia's soil biodiversity - CSIRO, accessed August 5, 2025,
Mapping Australia's soil biodiversity - CSIRO, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Mapping Australia's soil biodiversity - CSIRO, accessed August 9, 2025,

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Preview of Microbial community composition and activity in paired irrigated and non-irrigated pastures in New Zealand - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 3, 2025
Microbial community composition and activity in paired irrigated and non-irrigated pastures in New Zealand - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 3, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Microbial community composition and activity in paired irrigated and non-irrigated pastures in New Zealand - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 9, 2025,

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Preview of Microbial impact on initial soil formation in arid and semiarid environments under simulated climate change - Frontiers, accessed August 3, 2025
Microbial impact on initial soil formation in arid and semiarid environments under simulated climate change - Frontiers, accessed August 3, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Aridity differentially alters the stability of soil bacterial and fungal networks in coastal and inland areas of Australia - PMC, accessed July 29, 2025

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Preview of Shifts in floristic composition and structure in Australian rangelands | PLOS One, accessed July 15, 2025
Shifts in floristic composition and structure in Australian rangelands | PLOS One, accessed July 15, 2025
Contextual Support

Shifts in floristic composition and structure in Australian rangelands | PLOS One, accessed July 29, 2025

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Preview of Soil Fungal:Bacterial Ratios Are Linked to Altered Carbon ... - Frontiers, accessed July 18, 2025
Soil Fungal:Bacterial Ratios Are Linked to Altered Carbon ... - Frontiers, accessed July 18, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

The biogeography of relative abundance of soil fungi versus bacteria in surface topsoil, accessed August 1, 2025

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Preview of Soil Health | Natural Resources Conservation Service - USDA, accessed May 13, 2025,
Soil Health | Natural Resources Conservation Service - USDA, accessed May 13, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Australian dryland soils are acidic and nutrient-depleted, and have ..., accessed July 29, 2025

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Preview of Soil microbiome and biodiversity implications – are we ignoring cost-effective proxies of biodiversity measures? | TERN Australia, accessed on June 7, 2025,
Soil microbiome and biodiversity implications – are we ignoring cost-effective proxies of biodiversity measures? | TERN Australia, accessed on June 7, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Soil microbiome and biodiversity implications – are we ignoring cost-effective proxies of biodiversity measures? | TERN Australia, accessed August 9, 2025,

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Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 24 Mar 2026

Notes

Characteristic of soils under intensive management such as heavy synthetic N fertilization and heavy continuous grazing. No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always better up to natural saturation.