Fungal:Bacterial Ratio
Benchmark Value
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.
Evidence & Context
Synthesizing these points, an F:B ratio falling below 0.10 is proposed as the lower critical threshold for this biome and land use.
Fungal:Bacterial ratio measured by PLFA analysis representing the relative biomass of fungi to bacteria in soil.
This threshold marks the lower critical limit of the Fungal:Bacterial ratio below which the soil is considered degraded and dominated by bacteria, indicating loss of fungal biomass critical for ecosystem resilience.
This threshold is derived from values observed in lower-functioning spinifex soils and other arid rangeland research indicating loss of fungal biomass critical for ecosystem resilience.
Sources (2)
Biochemical properties of highly mineralised and infertile soil modified by acacia and spinifex plants in northwest Queensland, Australia | Request PDF - ResearchGate
View SourceSoil microbial biomass in semi-arid communal sandy rangelands in the western Bophirima District, South Africa - ResearchGate
View SourceSupporting Sources (1)
Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.
(PDF) Soil community changes during secondary succession to naturalized grasslands, accessed August 9, 2025,
View Source