Soil Nitrogen

AUS-TGP-FOR-SON General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

1500 mg/kg
Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 1500
Direction: Lower is desirable ↓
Form: UpperThreshold

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

A plausible threshold for the reference loamy sand soil would be > 1500 mg/kg.

Metric Definition:

Upper detrimental threshold of total soil nitrogen concentration indicating ecological harm

Benchmark Definition:

Threshold above which soil nitrogen causes significant negative ecological consequences

Justification:

Levels above this are linked to invasive weed dominance and loss of native biodiversity.

Sources (2)

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

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

View Source
Preview of Temperate Grasslands - Greening Australia, accessed August 4, 2025
Temperate Grasslands - Greening Australia, accessed August 4, 2025 Journal

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

View Source

Supporting Sources (3)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

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

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

View Source
Preview of Soil management guides - NSW Department of Primary Industries
Soil management guides - NSW Department of Primary Industries
Direct Evidence Journal

Soil management guides - NSW Department of Primary Industries

View Source

Context

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

Lifecycle

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

Notes

Represents a shift from healthy ecosystem to degraded, nutrient-enriched state.

Related Benchmarks

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

677 mg/kg High
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference
Point Active v1
400 mg/kg Low
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference
LowerThreshold Active v1
— mg/kg Moderate
Production Forestry · Production Forestry
OptimalRange Active v1