Soil Phosphorus

AUS-AMR-FOR-SOP General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 8 to 10 mg/kg

Optimal Range: 8 to 10

Direction: Higher is desirable ↑

Form: OptimalRange

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 16 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 15 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary Point Guard LowerThreshold Guard UpperThreshold Guard LowerThreshold Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard LowerThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard UpperThreshold Guard Point Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard Point Guard LowerThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard

Evidence & Context

The recommended benchmark for available soil phosphorus, representing a state of high ecological health in a sustainably managed production forest, is 8 - 10 mg/kg (Colwell-P).

Metric Definition:

Available soil phosphorus measured as Colwell-P, representing the best available condition for production forestry in Australia's Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands biome.

Benchmark Definition:

Available soil phosphorus measured as Colwell-P, representing the best available condition for production forestry in Australia's Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands biome.

Justification:

This value sits at the transition between the 'Low' and 'Moderate' classifications, indicating sufficient P to support ecosystem processes without approaching levels known to be detrimental to native biodiversity.

Sources (1)

Preview of Synthesis of peer-reviewed literature and government technical reports on soil phosphorus dynamics in managed Australian native ecosystems.

Synthesis of peer-reviewed literature and government technical reports on soil phosphorus dynamics in managed Australian native ecosystems.

View Source

Supporting Sources (1)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

(PDF) Too much of a good thing: phosphorus over-fertilisation in ..., accessed July 30, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Review of fertiliser use in Australian forestry - Forest & Wood ..., accessed July 30, 2025,

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands
Land Use Production Forestry
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type TargetCondition

Lifecycle

Status Superseded
Version 1
Effective From 24 Mar 2026
Effective To 24 Mar 2026

Notes

The benchmark is a robust synthesis derived from the best available scientific proxies, rather than from direct, long-term measurements within the specific biome and land-use combination.

Related Benchmarks

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