Soil Nitrogen
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 13 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 12 guard(s) constrain the result.
Evidence & Context
A functional threshold can be inferred. Given that the natural range for Total N in healthy sites starts at approximately 3,000 mg/kg, any site with a Total N value falling significantly below this level (e.g., <1,000 mg/kg) would indicate catastrophic loss of the soil's organic capital and a severely compromised ecosystem.
Total Soil Nitrogen concentration indicating severe degradation when below this threshold.
A lower critical threshold for Total Soil Nitrogen below which severe ecosystem degradation is indicated.
A significant drop from the benchmark range (e.g., below 1,000-3,000 mg/kg) would indicate severe degradation via topsoil loss.
Sources (1)
Beringer, J., et al. 2022. Carbon and water fluxes over a temperate Eucalyptus forest and a tropical wet/dry savanna in Australia. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 129(3):151-173.
View SourceSupporting Sources (3)
Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.
Impact of atmospheric Nitrogen deposition on upland and alpine ecosystems
View SourcePatterns of variation in Australian alpine soils and their relationships to parent material, vegetation formation, climate and topography | Request PDF - ResearchGate
View SourceSTATEMENTS OF UNACCEPTABILITY OF GRAZING IN THE AUSTRALIAN ALPS
View Source