Soil Nitrogen — Benchmark Detail

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 1000 to 2000 mg/kg

Optimal Range: 1000 to 2000

Direction: Lower 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 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

This report establishes that the 'best available condition' is represented by a Total Soil Nitrogen (TN) range of 1000–2000 mg/kg in the top 10 cm of granite-derived soils.

Metric Definition:

Total Soil Nitrogen (TN) in the top 10 cm of soil

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the optimal range of Total Soil Nitrogen in the top 10 cm of granite-derived soils in temperate grassy woodlands and plains under conservation, reflecting conditions that support a healthy, native-dominated ecosystem.

Justification:

The benchmark range of 1000-2000 mg/kg TN is considered optimal, reflecting sites with high native species diversity and low exotic cover, which maintain available soil nitrate (NO3−) below 3 mg/kg.

Sources (2)

Preview of Identifying ecological barriers to restoration in temperate grassy woodlands: soil changes associated with different degradation states

Identifying ecological barriers to restoration in temperate grassy woodlands: soil changes associated with different degradation states

Identifying ecological barriers to restoration in temperate grassy woodlands: soil changes associated with different degradation states

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Soil and Landscape Grid National Soil Attribute Maps - Total Nitrogen (3" resolution) - Release 2 Journal

Soil and Landscape Grid National Soil Attribute Maps - Total Nitrogen (3" resolution) - Release 2

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Supporting Sources (1)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Soil and Landscape Grid National Soil Attribute Maps - Total Nitrogen (3" resolution) - Release 2 - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed August 5, 2025,

Soil and Landscape Grid National Soil Attribute Maps - Total Nitrogen (3" resolution) - Release 2 - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Geology | Norfolk Island National Park | Parks Australia, accessed August 2, 2025

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Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
Assessment Conservation Target
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 25 Mar 2026

Notes

For these ecosystems, high health corresponds to low nutrient levels. Optimal Range: The benchmark range of 1000-2000 mg/kg TN is considered optimal, reflecting sites with high native species diversity and low exotic cover.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TGP-CON-SON family.