Soil Nitrogen

AUS-AMR-FOR-SON General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

300 mg/kg
Thresholds: Lower: 300, Upper: —
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: LowerThreshold

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 5 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 4 guard(s) constrain the result.

Evidence & Context

A value below approximately 300 mg/kg is considered indicative of a degraded state where long-term ecosystem function and productive capacity are significantly compromised.

Metric Definition:

Lower critical threshold of total soil nitrogen concentration in the top 30 cm of soil.

Benchmark Definition:

Threshold below which soil nitrogen indicates degradation and compromised ecosystem function in arid forest soils.

Justification:

Inferred from studies of degraded systems and paired-site studies showing significant declines in total nitrogen in cleared landscapes.

Sources (1)

Preview of Soil Characteristics and Fertility of the Unique Jarrah Forest of ...
Soil Characteristics and Fertility of the Unique Jarrah Forest of ... Journal

Soil Characteristics and Fertility of the Unique Jarrah Forest of ...

View Source

Supporting Sources (1)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Soil nitrogen availability favours the growth but not germination of secondary invaders after clearing invasive Acacia saligna | Request PDF - ResearchGate
Soil nitrogen availability favours the growth but not germination of secondary invaders after clearing invasive Acacia saligna | Request PDF - ResearchGate
Contextual Support

Soil nitrogen availability favours the growth but not germination of secondary invaders after clearing invasive Acacia saligna | Request PDF - ResearchGate

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands
  • Land Use Production Forestry
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Vegetation Forest
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

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

Notes

Represents a departure from the natural healthy state towards a degraded condition. No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always better up to natural saturation.

Related Benchmarks

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