Soil Phosphorus

AUS-TDG-LVG-SOP General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

6 mg/kg
Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 6
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: MinimumOnly

Scoring Curve

This curve shows how a field measurement for this indicator would score across all available benchmark forms in this context.

Evidence & Context

For Fertility-Intolerant Native Communities (e.g., Themeda) >6 Decline in Themeda dominance, shift in botanical composition, loss of characteristic community structure.

Metric Definition:

Available soil phosphorus measured as Olsen P in the 0-10 cm soil depth.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark indicates an upper threshold of Olsen P in the 0-10 cm soil depth above which Themeda dominance and community structure decline.

Justification:

Olsen P levels above 6 mg/kg are detrimental to Themeda dominance and community structure.

Sources (1)

Preview of Phosphorus responses of perennial native pasture species endemic to south-eastern Australia to P application: a review. Crop & Pasture Science, 71(9), 797-815. (Lodge, G. M., Murphy, S. R., & Harden, S., 2020)
Phosphorus responses of perennial native pasture species endemic to south-eastern Australia to P application: a review. Crop & Pasture Science, 71(9), 797-815. (Lodge, G. M., Murphy, S. R., & Harden, S., 2020) Journal

Phosphorus fertiliser management for pastures based on native grasses in south-eastern Australia

View Source

Supporting Sources (4)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Over-fertilization diminishes the biodiversity of global grasslands - Mongabay
Over-fertilization diminishes the biodiversity of global grasslands - Mongabay
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Over-fertilization diminishes the biodiversity of global grasslands - Mongabay

View Source
Preview of Phosphorus requirements of Australian native plants - ResearchGate, accessed August 4, 2025
Phosphorus requirements of Australian native plants - ResearchGate, accessed August 4, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

The Big Phosphorus Issue - Australian Native Plants — The Gardeners Lodge, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of The phosphorus and nitrogen requirements of temperate pasture species and their influence on grassland botanical composition - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025,
The phosphorus and nitrogen requirements of temperate pasture species and their influence on grassland botanical composition - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Crop and Pasture Science - CSIRO PUBLISHING

View Source
Preview of What are the optimum nutrient targets for pastures?
What are the optimum nutrient targets for pastures?
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

What are the optimum nutrient targets for pastures?

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 25 Mar 2026

Notes

Exceeding Olsen P levels of approximately 6 mg/kg can lead to a decline in Themeda triandra and undesirable shifts in botanical composition.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TDG-LVG-SOP family.

— mg/kg High
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Pristine Reference
OptimalRange Active v1
6 mg/kg Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Pristine Reference
MaximumOnly Active v1
8 mg/kg Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Pristine Reference
MinimumOnly Active v1
20 mg/kg Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Pristine Reference
MinimumOnly Active v1
— mg/kg Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Pristine Reference
OptimalRange Active v1