Fungal:Bacterial Ratio

AUS-AIF-AGR-SFB General Low confidence

Benchmark Value

1.5 index
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: MaximumOnly

Scoring Curve

Scoring curve unavailable

The scoring engine could not generate a curve for this benchmark context. The primary form is CompositeFramework, but the benchmark data may be missing required fields (e.g., optimal range bounds for an OptimalRange benchmark). This is typically a data quality issue in the benchmark pipeline.

Evidence & Context

For annual crop production, an F:B ratio consistently > 1.5 - 2.0 may become detrimental by causing excessive nitrogen immobilization, leading to nutrient deficiencies and potential yield loss.

Metric Definition:

Fungal:Bacterial Ratio indicating the upper detrimental threshold beyond which crop production may be negatively affected.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the upper detrimental threshold of the fungal to bacterial ratio above which annual crop production may be negatively affected due to excessive nitrogen immobilization in the Arid Inland Floodplains biome.

Justification:

Inferred from ecological reasoning and some evidence suggesting nutrient immobilization at high F:B ratios.

Sources (1)

Preview of Soil Fungal:Bacterial Ratios Are Linked to Altered Carbon Cycling - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed July 19, 2025
Soil Fungal:Bacterial Ratios Are Linked to Altered Carbon Cycling - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed July 19, 2025 Journal

Soil Fungal:Bacterial Ratios Are Linked to Altered Carbon Cycling - PMC - PubMed Central

View Source

Supporting Sources (1)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of The incorporation of fungal to bacterial ratios and plant ecosystem effect traits into a state-and-transition model of land-use change in semi-arid grasslands - Research @ Flinders, accessed August 3, 2025
The incorporation of fungal to bacterial ratios and plant ecosystem effect traits into a state-and-transition model of land-use change in semi-arid grasslands - Research @ Flinders, accessed August 3, 2025
Direct Evidence Journal

The incorporation of fungal to bacterial ratios and plant ecosystem effect traits into a state-and-transition model of land-use change in semi-arid grasslands - Research @ Flinders

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Arid Inland Floodplains & Ephemeral River Systems
  • Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
  • Assessment Not Stated
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

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

Notes

Consistently high F:B ratios above 1.5 to 2.0 may limit nitrogen availability and reduce crop yields. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.