Soil Nitrogen — Benchmark Detail

Benchmark Value

677 mg/kg

Direction: Higher is desirable ↑

Form: Point

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 3 benchmarks together — the Point form drives the primary score, while 2 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

Point Primary LowerThreshold Guard UpperThreshold Guard

Evidence & Context

For the topsoil layer (0-15 cm), the study reports a mean total soil nitrogen concentration of 677 mg/kg.

Metric Definition:

Mean total soil nitrogen concentration in the topsoil layer (0-15 cm)

Benchmark Definition:

Mean total soil nitrogen concentration in the topsoil layer (0-15 cm) from a mature, high-integrity remnant Cumberland Plain Woodland.

Justification:

Represents a stable, self-sustaining ecosystem state with high biodiversity, serving as the ideal ecological anchor.

Sources (1)

Elevated carbon dioxide increases soil nitrogen and phosphorus availability in a phosphorus-limited Eucalyptus woodland Journal

Elevated carbon dioxide increases soil nitrogen and phosphorus availability in a phosphorus-limited Eucalyptus woodland

View Source

Supporting Sources (4)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Chapter 9 AUSTRALIAN GRASSLANDS - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Karst and agriculture in Australia - Digital Commons @ USF, accessed July 26, 2025,

View Source

Preview of EFFECTS OF INTENSIFIED HARVESTING ON RATES OF NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS REMOVAL FROM PINUS RADIATA AND EUCALYPTUS FORESTS IN AUSTR - Scion Research

EFFECTS OF INTENSIFIED HARVESTING ON RATES OF NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS REMOVAL FROM PINUS RADIATA AND EUCALYPTUS FORESTS IN AUSTR - Scion Research

Direct Evidence Journal

EFFECTS OF INTENSIFIED HARVESTING ON RATES OF NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS REMOVAL FROM PINUS RADIATA AND EUCALYPTUS FORESTS IN AUSTR - Scion Research

View Source

Soil management guides - NSW Department of Primary Industries

Direct Evidence Journal

Soil management guides - NSW Department of Primary Industries

View Source

Temperate Grasslands - Greening Australia, accessed August 4, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Managing natural areas | City of Gold Coast, accessed May 19, 2025

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
Land Use Production Forestry
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 24 Mar 2026

Notes

No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always better up to natural saturation. Specific to loamy sand soil texture; management should maintain soil nitrogen near this natural reference state.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TGP-FOR-SON family.