Fungal:Bacterial Ratio
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 9 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 8 guard(s) constrain the result.
Evidence & Context
Synthesizing these points, an F:B ratio falling below 0.10 is proposed as the lower critical threshold for this biome and land use.
Fungal:Bacterial ratio measured by PLFA analysis representing the relative biomass of fungi to bacteria in soil.
The lower critical threshold of the Fungal:Bacterial ratio below which soil ecosystem function is impaired due to loss of fungal biomass in Australian arid karstic woodlands and shrublands under livestock grazing.
Below this level, the soil system has likely lost the critical mass of its fungal component required to maintain resilience and carbon-storage functions.
Sources (2)
Biochemical properties of highly mineralised and infertile soil modified by acacia and spinifex plants in northwest Queensland, Australia | Request PDF - ResearchGate
View SourceSoil microbial biomass in semi-arid communal sandy rangelands in the western Bophirima District, South Africa - ResearchGate
View SourceSupporting Sources (1)
Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.
Adaptive multi-paddock grazing increases soil nutrient availability and bacteria to fungi ratio in grassland soils | Request PDF - ResearchGate
View Source