Soil Organic Carbon (SOC)

AUS-TSW-FOR-SOC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

1 %

Direction: Higher is desirable ↑

Form: MinimumOnly

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 2 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 1 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MinimumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

Lower Critical Threshold: Approximately 1.0% SOC. Below this level, fundamental soil health functions such as nutrient cycling and water retention are likely to be significantly compromised.

Metric Definition:

Lower critical threshold of Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) below which essential ecosystem functions are impaired.

Benchmark Definition:

The minimum SOC concentration required to maintain soil health and ecosystem function in the biome.

Justification:

Supported by broader government technical guidance on Australian soil health and agronomic research.

Sources (1)

Preview of How Much Carbon Can Soil Store - NSW | Fact Sheets | soilquality ...

How Much Carbon Can Soil Store - NSW | Fact Sheets | soilquality ... Government

How Much Carbon Can Soil Store - NSW | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au

View Source

Supporting Sources (3)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Australia's forests – overview - DAFF, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Eastern Australian Temperate Forests | One Earth, accessed April 29, 2025,

View Source

Grazing management for soil carbon in Australia: A review - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Grazing management for soil carbon in Australia: A review - ResearchGate, accessed May 10, 2026

View Source

Preview of Soil carbon sequestration in rangelands: a critical review of the impacts of major management strategies - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025,

Soil carbon sequestration in rangelands: a critical review of the impacts of major management strategies - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Synthesis of Australian Rangeland SOC Data from CSIRO, Peer-Reviewed Literature, and Government Reports

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands
Land Use Production Forestry
Assessment Conservation Target
Vegetation Woodland
Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 5 Jun 2026

Notes

Below 1.0% SOC, soil health functions such as nutrient cycling and water retention are significantly compromised, threatening ecosystem viability in this biome. No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always better up to natural saturation.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TSW-FOR-SOC family.