Soil Phosphorus

AUS-ASC-FOR-SOP General High confidence

Benchmark Value

565 mg/kg

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

"2.5-5 cm depth: 565 mg kg⁻¹"

Metric Definition:

Total Phosphorus

Benchmark Definition:

Peak total phosphorus zone in subalpine forest soils in production forestry.

Justification:

This profile indicates that high-health subalpine forests maintain a relatively consistent phosphorus stock in the upper 15 cm of the soil, which corresponds to the zone of highest fine-root density and microbial activity.

Sources (1)

Selected climatic, chemical and physical properties of the soils used in this study (Table 1) Journal

Selected climatic, chemical and physical properties of the soils used in this study (Table 1)

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Supporting Sources (8)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Australian dryland soils are acidic and nutrient-depleted, and have unique microbial communities compared with other drylands - PMC, accessed August 28, 2025,

Australian dryland soils are acidic and nutrient-depleted, and have unique microbial communities compared with other drylands - PMC, accessed August 28, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Ryan, M. H., & Kirkegaard, J. A. (2012). The agronomic relevance of arbuscular mycorrhizas in the fertility of Australian extensive cropping systems. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment.

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Bowd, E. J., et al. (2019). Wildfire severity and soil nutrient depletion. Journal of Applied Ecology.

Contextual Support Journal

Bowd, E. J., et al. (2019). Wildfire severity and soil nutrient depletion. Journal of Applied Ecology.

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Preview of He, X., et al. (2021). Global distribution and influencing factors of plant‐available phosphorus in semi‐natural soils. Earth System Science Data.

He, X., et al. (2021). Global distribution and influencing factors of plant‐available phosphorus in semi‐natural soils. Earth System Science Data.

Direct Evidence

He, X., et al. (2021). Global distribution and influencing factors of plant‐available phosphorus in semi‐natural soils. Earth System Science Data.

View Source

Kirkpatrick, J. B., and M. J. Brown. 1984. The Tasmanian alpine ecosystem.

Direct Evidence Journal

Doolette, A. L., Smernik, R. J., & Dougherty, W. J. (2014). Phosphorus speciation in Australian alpine and sub-alpine soils. Soil Research, 54(1), 18-27.

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Liu, J., et al. (2023). Soil nutrient status and stoichiometry in different forest types. Forests.

Contextual Support Journal

Liu, J., et al. (2023). Soil nutrient status and stoichiometry in different forest types. Forests.

View Source

Mendham, D. S., et al. (2019). Nutrition and management of Acacia plantations. Australian Forestry.

Direct Evidence

Mendham, D. S., et al. (2019). Nutrition and management of Acacia plantations. Australian Forestry.

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Preview of Perring, M. P., et al. (2012). The Ridgefield Multiple Ecosystem Services Experiment: Can restoration of former agricultural land achieve multiple outcomes? Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment.

Perring, M. P., et al. (2012). The Ridgefield Multiple Ecosystem Services Experiment: Can restoration of former agricultural land achieve multiple outcomes? Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment.

Direct Evidence

Perring, M. P., et al. (2012). The Ridgefield Multiple Ecosystem Services Experiment: Can restoration of former agricultural land achieve multiple outcomes? Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment.

View Source