Soil Organic Carbon (SOC)

AUS-TSW-AGR-SOC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

1.6 %
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: Point

Scoring Curve

Scoring curve unavailable

The scoring engine could not generate a curve for this benchmark context. The primary form is Point, but the benchmark data may be missing required fields (e.g., optimal range bounds for an OptimalRange benchmark). This is typically a data quality issue in the benchmark pipeline.

Evidence & Context

The benchmark of 1.6% for finer-textured soils (e.g., Sodosols) is based on initial SOC levels at the MASTER experiment site, reflecting the higher carbon storage potential of clay soils.

Metric Definition:

Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) content in the 0-10 cm soil layer for finer-textured soils under best-practice agricultural cropping systems.

Benchmark Definition:

SOC benchmark representing the best available condition for finer-textured soils in the biome.

Justification:

Reflects the scientifically sound principle that soils with higher clay content can maintain higher SOC levels, based on initial SOC at the MASTER trial site.

Sources (1)

Preview of Can soil organic matter be increased in a continuous cropping system in the low to medium rainfall zone? | Birchip Cropping Group
Can soil organic matter be increased in a continuous cropping system in the low to medium rainfall zone? | Birchip Cropping Group

(PDF) Soil carbon dynamics under different cropping and pasture management in temperate Australia: Results of three long-term experiments - ResearchGate

View Source

Supporting Sources (4)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Organic Carbon Storage - WA | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed July 6, 2025,
Organic Carbon Storage - WA | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed July 6, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Organic Carbon Storage - WA | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed July 7, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Soil Carbon Saturation: What Do We Really Know? - PMC - PubMed Central
Soil Carbon Saturation: What Do We Really Know? - PMC - PubMed Central
Contextual Support Journal

Soil Carbon Saturation: What Do We Really Know? - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed July 7, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Thinking about a soil carbon project? Understand soil data first ...
Thinking about a soil carbon project? Understand soil data first ...
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Thinking about a soil carbon project? Understand soil data first ..., accessed July 7, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Thinking about a soil carbon project? Understand soil data first ..., accessed August 5, 2025,
Thinking about a soil carbon project? Understand soil data first ..., accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Challenging claimed benefits of soil carbon sequestration for mitigating climate change and increasing crop yields: Heresy or sober realism? - PubMed Central, accessed July 7, 2025,

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands
  • Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 5 Jun 2026

Notes

Based on initial SOC level of the Sodosol at the MASTER trial site; less direct data on long-term cropping for these soils in this biome. No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always better up to natural saturation.