Fungal:Bacterial Ratio

AUS-AKW-LVG-SFB General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 0.12 to 0.2 index
Optimal Range: 0.12 to 0.2
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.

Evidence & Context

An optimal F:B ratio range for sustainable livestock grazing in Australian Arid Karstic Woodlands & Shrublands is proposed as 0.12 to 0.20.

Metric Definition:

Fungal:Bacterial ratio measured by PLFA analysis representing the relative biomass of fungi to bacteria in soil.

Benchmark Definition:

The optimal range of the Fungal:Bacterial ratio balancing fungal-driven soil building and bacterial-driven nutrient cycling for sustainable livestock grazing in Australian arid karstic woodlands and shrublands.

Justification:

This range balances long-term carbon sequestration with sufficient nutrient availability for pasture productivity.

Sources (2)

Preview of Biochemical properties of highly mineralised and infertile soil modified by acacia and spinifex plants in northwest Queensland, Australia | Request PDF - ResearchGate
Biochemical properties of highly mineralised and infertile soil modified by acacia and spinifex plants in northwest Queensland, Australia | Request PDF - ResearchGate Journal

Biochemical properties of highly mineralised and infertile soil modified by acacia and spinifex plants in northwest Queensland, Australia | Request PDF - ResearchGate

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Preview of How Biodiversity-Friendly Is Regenerative Grazing? - Frontiers, accessed July 29, 2025
How Biodiversity-Friendly Is Regenerative Grazing? - Frontiers, accessed July 29, 2025 Journal

Adaptive multi-paddock grazing increases soil nutrient availability and bacteria to fungi ratio in grassland soils | Request PDF - ResearchGate

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Supporting Sources (1)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Soil microbial biomass in semi-arid communal sandy rangelands in the western Bophirima District, South Africa - ResearchGate
Soil microbial biomass in semi-arid communal sandy rangelands in the western Bophirima District, South Africa - ResearchGate
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Soil microbial biomass in semi-arid communal sandy rangelands in the western Bophirima District, South Africa - ResearchGate

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Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Arid Karstic Woodlands & Shrublands
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

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

Notes

Represents a sustainable production system balancing soil health and pasture growth.