Soil Organic Carbon (SOC)

AUS-ASC-FOR-SOC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

2.67 %
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: Point

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 50th percentile SOC concentration for Sandy loam soil texture is 2.67%.

Metric Definition:

Soil Organic Carbon concentration in the 0-10 cm soil depth

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the median soil organic carbon concentration in the top 10 cm of Sandy loam soil texture under production forestry in the Alpine and Subalpine Complex biome of Australia.

Justification:

Benchmarks established from soil testing in South Australian agricultural zone.

Sources (1)

Preview of Soil Organic Carbon Benchmarks - Department for Environment and Water
Soil Organic Carbon Benchmarks - Department for Environment and Water Journal

Soil Organic Carbon Benchmarks - Department for Environment and Water, accessed March 28, 2026,

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Supporting Sources (60)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

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Direct Evidence Journal

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(PDF) Climate change impacts on Australia's alpine ecosystems - ResearchGate, accessed on May 28, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

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(PDF) Empirical Estimates of Aboveground Carbon in Open Eucalyptus Forests of South-Eastern Australia and Its Potential Implication for National Carbon Accounting - ResearchGate, accessed March 28, 2026,
Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) Empirical Estimates of Aboveground Carbon in Open Eucalyptus Forests of South-Eastern Australia and Its Potential Implication for National Carbon Accounting - ResearchGate, accessed March 28, 2026,

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13C isotopic signature and C concentration of soil density fractions illustrate reduced C allocation to subalpine grassland soil under high atmospheric N deposition - PMC, accessed March 28, 2026,
Direct Evidence Journal

13C isotopic signature and C concentration of soil density fractions illustrate reduced C allocation to subalpine grassland soil under high atmospheric N deposition - PMC, accessed March 28, 2026,

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Australia's State of the Forests Report 2018 13 Criterion 4 - DAFF, accessed August 1, 2025,
Direct Evidence Journal

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Australia's Sustainable Forest Management - DAFF, accessed July 12, 2025,
Contextual Support

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Australia's Sustainable Forest Management Framework of Criteria and Indicators 2008 - DAFF, accessed August 10, 2025,
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Baseline map of organic carbon in Australian soil to support national carbon accounting and monitoring under climate change - PubMed Central, accessed August 5, 2025,
Direct Evidence Journal

Baseline map of organic carbon in Australian soil to support national carbon accounting and monitoring under climate change - PMC, accessed March 28, 2026,

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Contextual Support Journal

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Carbon, Corporate Forestry and Conservation: Struggles for Science in Sustainability and Benchmarks - Preprints.org
Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

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Contextual Support Journal

Caring for our Australian Alps Catchments

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Caring for our Australian Alps Catchments, accessed March 28, 2026,
Direct Evidence Journal

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Case Study - Soil carbon benefits through reforestation, accessed August 5, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

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Climate concerns: Trends in Australian snow - CSIRO, accessed August 5, 2025
Contextual Support Government

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Code of practice for small quarries - Resources Victoria, accessed August 5, 2025
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Comparison of basin-scale in situ and meteoric 10Be erosion and denudation rates across a rainfall, slope, and elevation gradien, accessed March 28, 2026,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Comparison of basin-scale in situ and meteoric 10Be erosion and denudation rates across a rainfall, slope, and elevation gradien, accessed March 28, 2026,

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Comparison of basin-scale in situ and meteoric 10Be erosion and denudation rates in felsic lithologies across an - GChron, accessed March 28, 2026,
Contextual Support Journal

Comparison of basin-scale in situ and meteoric 10Be erosion and denudation rates in felsic lithologies across an elevation gradient at the George River, northeast Tasmania, Australia - GChron, accessed March 28, 2026,

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Disturbance gradient shows logging affects plant functional groups more than fire | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed March 28, 2026,
Contextual Support Journal

The characteristics of regeneration failure and their potential to shift wet temperate forests into alternate stable states - ResearchGate, accessed March 28, 2026,

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Preview of Drivers of soil organic carbon from temperate to alpine forests - BG, accessed March 28, 2026,
Drivers of soil organic carbon from temperate to alpine forests - BG, accessed March 28, 2026,
Direct Evidence Journal

Drivers of soil organic carbon from temperate to alpine forests - BG, accessed March 28, 2026,

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Dynamics of carbon exchange in a Eucalyptus forest in response to interacting disturbance factors | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed March 28, 2026,
Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

Dynamics of carbon exchange in a Eucalyptus forest in response to interacting disturbance factors | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed March 28, 2026,

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Preview of Evolution of Australia's soil-carbon map | TERN Australia, accessed March 28, 2026,
Evolution of Australia's soil-carbon map | TERN Australia, accessed March 28, 2026,
Contextual Support Government

Evolution of Australia's soil-carbon map | TERN Australia, accessed March 28, 2026,

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Forest Management Plan for the North East 2001, accessed August 5, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

2019–20 Wildfires - Forestry Corporation

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Preview of Forest Management Zoning in NSW State Forests - Forestry Corporation, accessed August 5, 2025
Forest Management Zoning in NSW State Forests - Forestry Corporation, accessed August 5, 2025
Contextual Support

Forest Management Zoning in NSW State Forests - Forestry Corporation, accessed August 5, 2025

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GHOST FORESTS: AUSTRALIA'S ICONIC SNOW GUMS ARE THE BLEACHING CORALS O - Patagonia, accessed March 28, 2026,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

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Contextual Support Direct Evidence

Smith, A. (2019). Guidelines for Sustainable Forestry on Private Lands in NSW.

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Insights for NSW forest outcomes and management - Natural ..., accessed March 28, 2026,
Direct Evidence Journal

Insights for NSW forest outcomes and management - Natural ..., accessed March 28, 2026,

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Preview of Mapping soil organic carbon fractions for Australia, their stocks and uncertainty - BG, accessed August 5, 2025
Mapping soil organic carbon fractions for Australia, their stocks and uncertainty - BG, accessed August 5, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Mapping soil organic carbon fractions for Australia, their stocks and uncertainty - BG, accessed August 5, 2025

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Preview of Mapping soil organic carbon fractions for Australia, their stocks, and uncertainty - BG, accessed July 30, 2025
Mapping soil organic carbon fractions for Australia, their stocks, and uncertainty - BG, accessed July 30, 2025
Direct Evidence Government

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Preview of Mapping soil organic carbon fractions for Australia, their stocks, and uncertainty - BG, accessed July 6, 2025,
Mapping soil organic carbon fractions for Australia, their stocks, and uncertainty - BG, accessed July 6, 2025,
Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Pedogenic controls of soil organic carbon stocks and stability beneath montane Norway spruce forests along a precipitation gradient - PMC, accessed March 28, 2026,

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Preview of Nitrogen dynamics in alpine soils of south-eastern Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 3, 2025,
Nitrogen dynamics in alpine soils of south-eastern Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 3, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Nitrogen dynamics in alpine soils of south-eastern Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025

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Preview of NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust. (2021). Do you want to earn annual payments for conserving rare vegetation in the Southern Tablelands? Snow Gum Woodlands and Grasslands Conservation Tender. Factsheet.
NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust. (2021). Do you want to earn annual payments for conserving rare vegetation in the Southern Tablelands? Snow Gum Woodlands and Grasslands Conservation Tender. Factsheet.
Direct Evidence Journal

Neyland, M. G., & Cunningham, J. K. (2004). Silvicultural monitoring in uneven-aged highland dry Eucalyptus delegatensis forests in Tasmania. Australian Forestry, 67(1), 6-13.

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Preview of Primary and secondary effects of climate variability on carbon and water exchange in an evergreen Eucalyptus forest | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed March 28, 2026,
Primary and secondary effects of climate variability on carbon and water exchange in an evergreen Eucalyptus forest | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed March 28, 2026,
Contextual Support Journal

Carbon and water fluxes over a temperate Eucalyptus forest and a tropical wet/dry savanna in Australia: Measurements and comparison with MODIS remote sensing estimates - ResearchGate, accessed March 28, 2026,

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Preview of Refining benchmarks for soil organic carbon in Australia's temperate ..., accessed March 28, 2026,
Refining benchmarks for soil organic carbon in Australia's temperate ..., accessed March 28, 2026,
Direct Evidence Journal

Pre-clearing Soil Carbon Levels in Australia - NCAS Technical Report No. 12 - DCCEEW, accessed March 28, 2026,

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Preview of Refining benchmarks for soil organic carbon in Australia's temperate forests - ResearchGate, accessed August 28, 2025,
Refining benchmarks for soil organic carbon in Australia's temperate forests - ResearchGate, accessed August 28, 2025,
Direct Evidence Journal

Mapping soil organic carbon fractions for Australia, their stocks, and uncertainty - BG, accessed March 28, 2026,

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Preview of Rehabilitation Field Guide | Australian Alps National Parks, accessed on May 25, 2025,
Rehabilitation Field Guide | Australian Alps National Parks, accessed on May 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Costin, A. B. 1954. A Study of the Ecosystems of the Monaro Region of New South Wales.

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Research Links Feral Horses to Peatland Carbon Emissions | Mirage News, accessed August 5, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Research Links Feral Horses to Peatland Carbon Emissions | Mirage News, accessed August 5, 2025

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Preview of RMIT study suggests link between feral horses and peatland carbon emissions, accessed August 5, 2025
RMIT study suggests link between feral horses and peatland carbon emissions, accessed August 5, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

RMIT study suggests link between feral horses and peatland carbon emissions, accessed August 5, 2025

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Preview of Silvicultural guidelines: Private Native Forestry Code of Practice - Environment and Heritage, accessed July 31, 2025
Silvicultural guidelines: Private Native Forestry Code of Practice - Environment and Heritage, accessed July 31, 2025
Contextual Support

Government Gazette, accessed July 12, 2025

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Preview of SNOWY MOUNTAIN FORESTED HILLSLOPE SOIL ..., accessed March 28, 2026,
SNOWY MOUNTAIN FORESTED HILLSLOPE SOIL ..., accessed March 28, 2026,
Contextual Support Journal

Soil fungal community composition drives forest-specific and seasonal dynamics of microbial carbon use efficiency in subalpine ecosystems - Oxford Academic, accessed March 28, 2026,

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Preview of SNOWY MOUNTAIN FORESTED HILLSLOPE SOIL CHARACTERISATION, SOIL HYDROLOGICAL PROPERTIES AND SOIL GEOCHEMISTRY PROGRAM
SNOWY MOUNTAIN FORESTED HILLSLOPE SOIL CHARACTERISATION, SOIL HYDROLOGICAL PROPERTIES AND SOIL GEOCHEMISTRY PROGRAM
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New South Wales Vegetation classification and Assessment: Part 3 Plant communities of the NSW Brigalow Belt South, Nandewar an - Botanic Gardens of Sydney, accessed March 28, 2026,

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Preview of Soil and Landscape Grid National Soil Attribute Maps - Soil Organic Carbon Fractions (3" resolution) - Release 1 - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed March 28, 2026,
Soil and Landscape Grid National Soil Attribute Maps - Soil Organic Carbon Fractions (3" resolution) - Release 1 - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed March 28, 2026,
Direct Evidence Government

Soil and Landscape Grid National Soil Attribute Maps - Soil Organic Carbon Fractions (3" resolution) - Release 1 - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed March 28, 2026,

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Preview of Soil carbon [Chapter 2] - Forest Service, accessed August 5, 2025
Soil carbon [Chapter 2] - Forest Service, accessed August 5, 2025
Contextual Support

Soil carbon [Chapter 2] - Forest Service, accessed August 5, 2025

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Soil carbon explained | Spring 2023 | Sheep Notes newsletter - Agriculture Victoria, accessed August 5, 2025
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Preview of Soil CO2 Efflux and Root Productivity in a Switchgrass and Loblolly Pine Intercropping System - MDPI, accessed March 28, 2026,
Soil CO2 Efflux and Root Productivity in a Switchgrass and Loblolly Pine Intercropping System - MDPI, accessed March 28, 2026,
Contextual Support Journal

Soil CO2 Efflux and Root Productivity in a Switchgrass and Loblolly Pine Intercropping System - MDPI, accessed March 28, 2026,

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Preview of Soil Organic Carbon Benchmarks by Rainfall and Texture
Soil Organic Carbon Benchmarks by Rainfall and Texture
Direct Evidence Journal

Soil Organic Carbon Guidelines by Rainfall - Department for Environment and Water, accessed March 28, 2026,

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Preview of Soil organic carbon stocks did not change after 130 years of afforestation on a former Swiss Alpine pasture, accessed August 5, 2025
Soil organic carbon stocks did not change after 130 years of afforestation on a former Swiss Alpine pasture, accessed August 5, 2025
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Soil organic carbon stocks did not change after 130 years of afforestation on a former Swiss Alpine pasture, accessed August 5, 2025

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Soil Organic Carbon Thresholds and Nitrogen Management in Tropical Agroecosystems: Concepts and Prospects - ResearchGate, accessed July 25, 2025,
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Soil Organic Carbon Thresholds and Nitrogen Management in Tropical Agroecosystems: Concepts and Prospects - ResearchGate, accessed August 28, 2025,

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Soil structure and its benefits - Royal Society, accessed March 28, 2026,
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Temperate forests and soils [Chapter 6], accessed August 10, 2025,
Contextual Support

A review of the potential impacts of different fire regimes on soil erosion and sedimentation, nutrient and carb, accessed May 15, 2025

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The Effect of Harvest on Forest Soil Carbon: A Meta-Analysis - MDPI, accessed August 5, 2025
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The potential impact of climate change on Australia's soil organic carbon resources - PMC, accessed August 5, 2025
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The potential impact of climate change on Australia's soil organic carbon resources - PMC, accessed August 5, 2025

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The South Platte River, Colorado, USA a, accessed March 28, 2026,
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theaustralianalpsnationalparks.org, accessed on May 28, 2025
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Wildfire effects on soils and soil processes - CSIRO Publishing, accessed March 28, 2026,
Direct Evidence Journal

Wildfire effects on soils and soil processes - CSIRO Publishing, accessed March 28, 2026,

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Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Alpine and Subalpine Complex
  • Land Use Production Forestry
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Evidence Type TargetCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 9 Apr 2026

Notes

No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always better up to natural saturation. 50th percentile used as a reference benchmark.