Soil pH
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 19 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 18 guard(s) constrain the result.
Contributing Benchmarks
Evidence & Context
The key findings for soil pH(CaCl₂) were: Mean pH(CaCl₂) beneath tree canopies: 5.50 (with an observed range of 4.5 – 6.4). Mean pH(CaCl₂) in open inter-tree areas: 5.01 (with an observed range of 4.4 – 5.6).
Topsoil pH measured in a 0.01 M calcium chloride (CaCl₂) solution.
This benchmark represents the typical soil pH range measured in a calcium chloride solution in temperate dry woodlands and native grasslands under livestock grazing, reflecting healthy ecosystem function with spatial variation under tree canopies and open areas.
The benchmark is based on mean pH values observed in little-grazed remnants representing high environmental health and ecological function.
Sources (1)
Prober, S. M., Lunt, I. D., & Thiele, K. R. (2002). Determining reference conditions for management and restoration of temperate grassy woodlands: relationships among trees, topsoils and understorey flora in little-grazed remnants. Australian Journal of Botany, 50(6), 687–697.
View SourceSupporting Sources (3)
Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.
Soil acidity | Soil | Farm management - Agriculture Victoria, accessed August 28, 2025
View SourceSoil acidity - Department for Environment and Water, accessed July 30, 2025,
View SourceWorking with bio-amendments: Insights from cropping farmers - Soils For Life, accessed July 7, 2025,
View Source