Soil pH

AUS-TSR-CON-SPH General High confidence

Benchmark Value

5 pH
Thresholds: Lower: 5, 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 10 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 9 guard(s) constrain the result.

Evidence & Context

A critical lower threshold exists around pH < 5.0, where potential for aluminium toxicity increases.

Metric Definition:

Soil pH level below which aluminium toxicity risk increases, impairing ecosystem function.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark marks the lower soil pH limit below which aluminium toxicity stress begins, affecting ecosystem health in tropical rainforests.

Justification:

Based on ecological studies and field data showing increased aluminium toxicity risk below pH 5.0.

Sources (1)

Preview of Soil and plant nutrient concentrations across a tropical forest-sclerophyll vegetation boundary in north-eastern Australia
Soil and plant nutrient concentrations across a tropical forest-sclerophyll vegetation boundary in north-eastern Australia Journal

Soil and plant nutrient concentrations across a tropical forest-sclerophyll vegetation boundary in north-eastern Australia

View Source

Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of ASC - VERTOSOLS - Soil Science Australia
ASC - VERTOSOLS - Soil Science Australia
Contextual Support

What are the optimum nutrient targets for pastures? - Soil Health Knowledgebase

View Source
Preview of Offord, C. A., & Meagher, P. F. (2014). Light and soil pH have a combined effect on the growth and morphology of the critically endangered Wollemi pine (Wollemia nobilis). AoB Plants, 6, plu011.
Offord, C. A., & Meagher, P. F. (2014). Light and soil pH have a combined effect on the growth and morphology of the critically endangered Wollemi pine (Wollemia nobilis). AoB Plants, 6, plu011.
Contextual Support Journal

Growing up or growing out? How soil pH and light affect seedling growth of a relictual rainforest tree | AoB PLANTS | Oxford Academic

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical & Subtropical Rainforests
  • Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Vegetation Forest
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

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

Notes

Below this threshold, acid-tolerant specialist species dominate due to toxicity stress on others.