Fungal:Bacterial Ratio

AUS-TDG-LVG-SFB General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 1 to 4 index
Optimal Range: 1 to 4
Direction: Higher 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 9 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 8 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard OptimalRange Guard Point Guard

Evidence & Context

A benchmark F:B ratio (PLFA/DNA based) of 2.0 – 4.0 (unitless) is proposed, derived from a synthesis of ecological principles and data from related well-managed pasture systems.

Metric Definition:

Ratio of fungal to bacterial biomass in soil as measured by PLFA or DNA-based quantification methods.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark range represents the fungal to bacterial biomass ratio in soil that indicates a healthy microbial community structure in regeneratively managed Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands under livestock grazing. It reflects reduced disturbance and balanced nutrient cycling supporting sustainable grazing.

Justification:

This benchmark range reflects a soil microbial community structure indicative of high environmental health in regeneratively managed Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands, signifying reduced disturbance, enhanced soil organic matter, and balanced nutrient cycling.

Sources (5)

Preview of ausveg - fact sheet: soil microbiology, accessed July 18, 2025
ausveg - fact sheet: soil microbiology, accessed July 18, 2025 Journal

ausveg - fact sheet: soil microbiology

View Source
Preview of Biogeographical patterns of the soil fungal:bacterial ratio across France | mSphere, accessed July 28, 2025
Biogeographical patterns of the soil fungal:bacterial ratio across France | mSphere, accessed July 28, 2025 Journal

Soil Fungal:Bacterial Ratios Are Linked to Altered Carbon Cycling - Frontiers, accessed July 29, 2025

View Source
Preview of Fungal/bacterial ratios in grasslands with contrasting nitrogen management - ResearchGate, accessed July 18, 2025
Fungal/bacterial ratios in grasslands with contrasting nitrogen management - ResearchGate, accessed July 18, 2025 GreyLiterature

Fungal/bacterial ratios in grasslands with contrasting nitrogen management - ResearchGate

View Source
Preview of Role of Soil Fungus | Ohioline - The Ohio State University, accessed on June 5, 2025
Role of Soil Fungus | Ohioline - The Ohio State University, accessed on June 5, 2025 GreyLiterature

Role of Soil Fungus | Ohioline - The Ohio State University, accessed on June 7, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Tagged with ratio of fungi to bacteria - The Prairie Ecologist, accessed July 28, 2025
Tagged with ratio of fungi to bacteria - The Prairie Ecologist, accessed July 28, 2025 GreyLiterature

Analyzing your Fungal to Bacterial Ratio Results - microBIOMETER, accessed July 21, 2025

View Source

Supporting Sources (7)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Analyzing your Fungal to Bacterial Ratio Results - MicroBiometer, accessed July 18, 2025
Analyzing your Fungal to Bacterial Ratio Results - MicroBiometer, accessed July 18, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Analyzing your Fungal to Bacterial Ratio Results - microBIOMETER, accessed July 23, 2025

View Source
Preview of Bardgett, R. D., & McAlister, E. (1999). The measurement of soil microbial biomass. Journal of Microbiological Methods, 30(1), 1-16..8
Bardgett, R. D., & McAlister, E. (1999). The measurement of soil microbial biomass. Journal of Microbiological Methods, 30(1), 1-16..8
Contextual Support Journal

Bardgett, R. D., & McAlister, E. (1999). The measurement of soil microbial biomass. Journal of Microbiological Methods, 30(1), 1-16..8

View Source
Preview of Fungal/bacterial ratios in grasslands with contrasting nitrogen management, accessed July 19, 2025,
Fungal/bacterial ratios in grasslands with contrasting nitrogen management, accessed July 19, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Mechanisms and implications of bacterial–fungal competition for soil resources - PMC

View Source
Preview of Guidelines for grazing in the Gwydir Wetlands and Macquarie Marshes, accessed July 28, 2025,
Guidelines for grazing in the Gwydir Wetlands and Macquarie Marshes, accessed July 28, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Guidelines for grazing in the Gwydir Wetlands and Macquarie Marshes, accessed July 28, 2025

View Source
Preview of Impacts of Rotational Grazing on Soil Carbon in Native Grass-Based ..., accessed August 5, 2025,
Impacts of Rotational Grazing on Soil Carbon in Native Grass-Based ..., accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Managing Grazing to Restore Soil Health, Ecosystem Function, and Ecosystem Services - Frontiers

View Source
Preview of Ingham, E. R. (Various publications and resources, e.g., USDA NCRS Soil Biology Primer, Soil Foodweb Inc. materials)..4
Ingham, E. R. (Various publications and resources, e.g., USDA NCRS Soil Biology Primer, Soil Foodweb Inc. materials)..4
Contextual Support Journal

Are Fungal to Bacterial Ratios (F:B Ratio) Important for Plant Growth? - Garden Myths

View Source
Preview of Living soils in agriculture | TERN Australia, accessed July 25, 2025,
Living soils in agriculture | TERN Australia, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Living soils in agriculture | TERN Australia, accessed July 16, 2025,

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 8 Jun 2026

Notes

Lower Critical Threshold: <0.5 indicates degraded, bacterially dominated state. Upper Detrimental Threshold: >5.0 may indicate excessive woody encroachment affecting pasture utility.