Soil Nitrogen

AUS-AMR-FOR-SON General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

450 mg/kg
Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 450
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 5 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 4 guard(s) constrain the result.

Evidence & Context

A persistent elevation of total soil nitrogen significantly above the 450 mg/kg benchmark is considered detrimental.

Metric Definition:

Upper detrimental threshold of total soil nitrogen concentration in the top 30 cm of soil.

Benchmark Definition:

Threshold above which total soil nitrogen causes negative ecosystem impacts in arid forest soils.

Justification:

Defined by the onset of systemic degradation including invasive species promotion, nutrient imbalances, leaching, and soil acidification.

Sources (1)

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

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

View Source

Supporting Sources (1)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

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

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

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

No evidence supports that higher nitrogen levels improve productivity; elevated levels indicate nutrient pollution.

Related Benchmarks

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