Soil pH — Benchmark Detail

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 5.5 to 6.5 pH

Optimal Range: 5.5 to 6.5

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.

Evidence & Context

The measured soil pH within this profile was slightly acidic, ranging from pH 5.5 to 6.5.

Metric Definition:

Soil pH is a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration (H+) in the soil solution

Benchmark Definition:

Reference value representing the measured soil pH range in a plastic, clayey mineral soil profile within the high-integrity, relatively undisturbed mossy cloud forest on the summit of Mt Gower, Lord Howe Island.

Justification:

The site is a World Heritage Area, managed for conservation, and exhibits high levels of endemism, making it an exemplary 'best-on-offer' reference for a healthy ecosystem on volcanic-derived soils.

Sources (1)

Floristics and structure of the mossy cloud forest of Mt Gower summit, Lord Howe Island Journal

Floristics and structure of the mossy cloud forest of Mt Gower summit, Lord Howe Island

View Source

Supporting Sources (3)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Norfolk Island Region Threatened Species Recovery Plan

Direct Evidence

Norfolk Island Region Threatened Species Recovery Plan

View Source

Norfolk Island Region Threatened Species Recovery Plan

Direct Evidence

Norfolk Island Region Threatened Species Recovery Plan

Norfolk Island Region Threatened Species Recovery Plan

Direct Evidence

Norfolk Island Region Threatened Species Recovery Plan

Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands
Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
Assessment Pristine Reference
Vegetation Forest
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 28 May 2026

Notes

The benchmark represents the measured soil pH range in a plastic, clayey mineral soil profile within the high-integrity, relatively undisturbed mossy cloud forest on the summit of Mt Gower, Lord Howe Island.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TMI-CON-SPH family.