Water Nitrate
Benchmark Value
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.
Contributing Benchmarks
Evidence & Context
the optimal range for maintaining high ecological health is considered to be <1.0 mg/L NO3.
Water nitrate concentrations representative of the best available ecological condition for production forestry within Australia's Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands.
A value that reflects high environmental health achievable under best-practice sustainable management, where ecological functions are prioritized alongside production.
Derived by synthesizing data from analogous reference catchments and applying the ecological principle of nitrogen saturation. The value is well below the conceptual nitrogen saturation threshold and ecotoxicity levels, and aligns with the lowest concentrations observed in natural, uncontaminated systems.
Sources (2)
Indicators and thresholds for nitrogen saturation in ... - WUR eDepot, accessed July 12, 2025
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Supporting Sources (16)
Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.
Description of Ecological Communities: Arid Eucalypt Woodlands - NECs 1.14 to 1.23 - DCCEEW, accessed July 19, 2025
View SourceEast Australian Mediterranean Woodlands & Temperate Savannas (AU4) - One Earth, accessed July 12, 2025
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Using mulga as a forage supplement for livestock in droughts - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 30, 2025,
View Source
Characteristics of prokaryotic and fungal communities emerged in eco-engineered waste rock - Eucalyptus open woodlands at Ranger uranium mine - PubMed, accessed July 12, 2025
View SourcePlants of the mallee shrublands - Australian National Botanic Gardens, accessed July 13, 2025
View Source
Examining Relationships Between Groundwater Nitrate Concentrations in Drinking Water and Landscape Characteristics to Understand - the NOAA Institutional Repository, accessed July 12, 2025
View SourceAustralian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (ANZG 2018)
View Source
NVIS Fact sheet MVG 14 – Mallee woodlands and shrublands - DCCEEW, accessed August 28, 2025
View SourceReview of the current state of knowledge for the monitoring of ..., accessed July 31, 2025,
View SourceSemi-arid woodlands (grassy sub-formation) | NSW Environment, Energy and Science
View SourceSoutheast Australia temperate savanna - Wikipedia
View SourcePlantations in public drinking water source areas - Government of ..., accessed July 31, 2025,
View Source
Nitrate in freshwater, toxicant default guideline values for protecting aquatic ecosystems
View SourceRelationships between water, nutrients and productivity in Australian forests: Application to wood production and quality - ResearchGate, accessed July 12, 2025
View SourceAustralian native forest commerciality - DAFF, accessed July 12, 2025
View Source
Water quality, biodiversity, and codes of practice in relation to harvesting forest plantations in streamside management zones, accessed July 12, 2025
View Source