Soil Phosphorus

AUS-TMI-LVG-SOP General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 6 to 8 mg/kg
Optimal Range: 6 to 8
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 10 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 9 guard(s) constrain the result.

Evidence & Context

This defines an optimal range of 6-8 mg/kg (bicarbonate-extractable P).

Metric Definition:

Bicarbonate-extractable phosphorus (P) level in soil representing the optimal functional range for sustainable grazing on tropical maritime islands.

Benchmark Definition:

This range defines the optimal soil phosphorus levels that support healthy, productive pastures while minimizing environmental risks in tropical maritime island grazing systems.

Justification:

Range supports P-efficient legumes and avoids surplus P that increases environmental risk.

Sources (1)

Preview of Phosphorus management of beef cattle in northern Australia
Phosphorus management of beef cattle in northern Australia Government

Phosphorus management of beef cattle in northern Australia

View Source

Supporting Sources (36)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) The effects of grazing and fire on vegetation and the vertebrate assemblage in tropical savanna woodland in north-eastern Australia - ResearchGate, accessed July 30, 2025,
(PDF) The effects of grazing and fire on vegetation and the vertebrate assemblage in tropical savanna woodland in north-eastern Australia - ResearchGate, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Overgrazing & Reducing Grazing Pressure | Bush Heritage Australia

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Preview of A guide to managing livestock on small properties - Queensland Government publications, accessed July 30, 2025,
A guide to managing livestock on small properties - Queensland Government publications, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Resting Subtropical Grasslands from Grazing in the Wet Season Boosts Biocrust Hotspots to Improve Soil Health

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Preview of ANIMAL SCIENCE IN AUSTRALIA, accessed July 28, 2025,
ANIMAL SCIENCE IN AUSTRALIA, accessed July 28, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Phosphorus supplementation of cattle in northern Australia - FutureBeef, accessed July 18, 2025

View Source
Preview of Australia's bioregions (IBRA) - DCCEEW, accessed July 15, 2025
Australia's bioregions (IBRA) - DCCEEW, accessed July 15, 2025
Contextual Support

Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA), Version 7 (Regions)

View Source
Preview of Australian Journal of Soil Research - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025
Australian Journal of Soil Research - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025
Contextual Support

Australian Journal of Soil Research - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 22, 2025

View Source
Preview of Beef cattle return to Lord Howe Island - The Farmer Magazine, accessed July 28, 2025
Beef cattle return to Lord Howe Island - The Farmer Magazine, accessed July 28, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Managing Cattle Grazing on Norfolk Island, accessed July 28, 2025,

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Preview of Can livestock grazing coexist with plant diversity in Australian rangelands?, accessed July 28, 2025,
Can livestock grazing coexist with plant diversity in Australian rangelands?, accessed July 28, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Can livestock grazing coexist with plant diversity in Australian rangelands?, accessed July 28, 2025,

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Preview of Catchments and corals: terrestrial runoff to the Great Barrier Reef, accessed July 19, 2025,
Catchments and corals: terrestrial runoff to the Great Barrier Reef, accessed July 19, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Nitrate retention under sugarcane in wet tropical Queensland deep soil profiles

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Preview of Chapter Five: Cattle Nutrition - Northern Territory Government, accessed July 28, 2025,
Chapter Five: Cattle Nutrition - Northern Territory Government, accessed July 28, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Chapter Five: Cattle Nutrition - Northern Territory Government, accessed July 28, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Critical phosphorus values from the Better Fertiliser Decisions for Pastures project: early insights from validation trials - BioOne Complete, accessed July 28, 2025,
Critical phosphorus values from the Better Fertiliser Decisions for Pastures project: early insights from validation trials - BioOne Complete, accessed July 28, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Soil nutrient critical limits | MBFP | More Beef from Pastures - MLA

View Source
Preview of Document - Department for Infrastructure and Transport, accessed August 5, 2025,
Document - Department for Infrastructure and Transport, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

GRASSLANDS & GRASSY WOODLANDS - Corangamite Catchment Management Authority

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Preview of Historical Nutrient Usage in Coastal Queensland River Catchments Adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, accessed July 28, 2025,
Historical Nutrient Usage in Coastal Queensland River Catchments Adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, accessed July 28, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Historical Nutrient Usage in Coastal Queensland River Catchments Adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, accessed July 28, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Impact of phosphorus fertiliser on tropical pasture legume production - Agronomy Australia Proceedings, accessed July 28, 2025,
Impact of phosphorus fertiliser on tropical pasture legume production - Agronomy Australia Proceedings, accessed July 28, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Tool 6.7 Soil health benchmarks and guidelines for managing problem soils, accessed July 28, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Impacts of rehabilitating degraded lands on soil health, pastures, runoff, erosion, nutrient and sediment movement. Part II - FutureBeef, accessed July 30, 2025,
Impacts of rehabilitating degraded lands on soil health, pastures, runoff, erosion, nutrient and sediment movement. Part II - FutureBeef, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

The relative importance of cattle grazing in subtropical grasslands: does it reduce or enhance plant biodiversity? - The Australian National University

View Source
Preview of Lord Howe Island cattle comeback thanks to Macka's Angus Beef, accessed July 28, 2025,
Lord Howe Island cattle comeback thanks to Macka's Angus Beef, accessed July 28, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

EN29 Lord Howe Island - Aotea Great Barrier Environmental Trust, accessed July 28, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Lord Howe Island Group - UNESCO World Heritage Centre, accessed August 3, 2025,
Lord Howe Island Group - UNESCO World Heritage Centre, accessed August 3, 2025,
Contextual Support

Lord Howe Island Group - UNESCO World Heritage Centre

View Source
Preview of Lord Howe Island Permanent Park Preserve Plan of Management - Environment and Heritage, accessed July 28, 2025,
Lord Howe Island Permanent Park Preserve Plan of Management - Environment and Heritage, accessed July 28, 2025,
Contextual Support

Lord Howe Island Permanent Park Preserve Plan of Management - Environment and Heritage, accessed July 28, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Lord Howe Island Rodent Eradication Project
Lord Howe Island Rodent Eradication Project
Contextual Support Journal

Lord Howe Island Rodent Eradication Project

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Preview of Mackay Whitsunday Water Quality Improvement Plan 2014-2021 - Reef Catchments, accessed July 28, 2025,
Mackay Whitsunday Water Quality Improvement Plan 2014-2021 - Reef Catchments, accessed July 28, 2025,
Contextual Support

Mackay Whitsunday Water Quality Improvement Plan 2014-2021 - Reef Catchments, accessed July 28, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Managing cattle grazing on Norfolk Island tos enhance water quality - Agronomist visit, accessed July 28, 2025
Managing cattle grazing on Norfolk Island tos enhance water quality - Agronomist visit, accessed July 28, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Managing Cattle Grazing on Norfolk Island to Enhance Water Quality, accessed July 28, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Modelling Changes in Soil Phosphorus When Phosphorus fertiliser Is Reduced or Ceases - Frontiers, accessed July 28, 2025,
Modelling Changes in Soil Phosphorus When Phosphorus fertiliser Is Reduced or Ceases - Frontiers, accessed July 28, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Modelling Changes in Soil Phosphorus When Phosphorus fertiliser Is Reduced or Ceases - Frontiers, accessed July 28, 2025,

View Source
Preview of North Australia Program - MLA
North Australia Program - MLA
Contextual Support Journal

Phosphorus: a finite resource essential for life, critical for agriculture and food security, accessed July 28, 2025,

View Source
Preview of North Australia Program - MLA, accessed July 28, 2025,
North Australia Program - MLA, accessed July 28, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

REVISED Final Report B_NBP_0769 (QA'd).docx - MLA, accessed July 28, 2025,

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Preview of nt.gov.au, accessed May 14, 2025,
nt.gov.au, accessed May 14, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Document - Department for Infrastructure and Transport, accessed July 28, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Phosphorus for high rainfall pastures - DPIRD's Digital library, accessed July 23, 2025,
Phosphorus for high rainfall pastures - DPIRD's Digital library, accessed July 23, 2025,
Contextual Support

Phosphorus Nutrition of Proteaceae in Severely Phosphorus-Impoverished Soils: Are There Lessons To Be Learned for Future Crops? - PubMed Central, accessed July 18, 2025

View Source
Preview of Phosphorus: a finite resource essential for life, critical for agriculture and food security - CSIRO, accessed August 11, 2025
Phosphorus: a finite resource essential for life, critical for agriculture and food security - CSIRO, accessed August 11, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Nitrogen and Phosphorus Retranslocation of Leaves and Stemwood in a Mature Eucalyptus Forest Exposed to 5 Years of Elevated CO2 - Frontiers

View Source
Preview of Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed August 5, 2025,
Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed July 20, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Sediments and nutrients in north Queensland tropical streams: changes with agricultural development and pristine condition status, accessed July 28, 2025,
Sediments and nutrients in north Queensland tropical streams: changes with agricultural development and pristine condition status, accessed July 28, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

The use of SedNet and ANNEX models to guide GBR catchment sediment and nutrient target setting - information.qld.gov.au, accessed July 28, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Soil Analysis Results for Pastures - Northern Territory Government, accessed July 28, 2025,
Soil Analysis Results for Pastures - Northern Territory Government, accessed July 28, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Soil Analysis Results for Pastures - Northern Territory Government, accessed July 28, 2025,

View Source
Preview of The Lord Howe Island Biodiversity Management Plan: An integrated approach to recovery planning - ResearchGate, accessed August 3, 2025,
The Lord Howe Island Biodiversity Management Plan: An integrated approach to recovery planning - ResearchGate, accessed August 3, 2025,
Contextual Support

The Lord Howe Island Biodiversity Management Plan: An integrated approach to recovery planning - ResearchGate

View Source
Preview of The Lord Howe Island Rodent Eradication: Social and Technical Lessons for Inhabited Islands - DigitalCommons@USU, accessed August 3, 2025,
The Lord Howe Island Rodent Eradication: Social and Technical Lessons for Inhabited Islands - DigitalCommons@USU, accessed August 3, 2025,
Contextual Support

Government funding to increase biosecurity measures - Lord Howe Island Museum, accessed August 2, 2025

View Source
Preview of Tropical Grasslands (1990) Volume 24, 221-230 - Phosphorus and beef production in northern Australia, accessed July 28, 2025,
Tropical Grasslands (1990) Volume 24, 221-230 - Phosphorus and beef production in northern Australia, accessed July 28, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Tropical Grasslands (1990) Volume 24, 221-230 - Phosphorus and beef production in northern Australia, accessed July 28, 2025,

View Source
Preview of VEGETATION 0}' LORD HOWE ISLAND - Botanic Gardens of Sydney, accessed July 25, 2025,
VEGETATION 0}' LORD HOWE ISLAND - Botanic Gardens of Sydney, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Geology - Lord Howe Island Museum

View Source
Preview of Vegetation Communities and Regional Ecosystems of The Torres Strait Islands, Queensland, Australia. An Accompaniment to Land Zon, accessed July 28, 2025,
Vegetation Communities and Regional Ecosystems of The Torres Strait Islands, Queensland, Australia. An Accompaniment to Land Zon, accessed July 28, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Vegetation Communities and Regional Ecosystems of The Torres Strait Islands, Queensland, Australia. An Accompaniment to Land Zon, accessed July 28, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Water Quality - GBRMPA eLibrary, accessed August 1, 2025,
Water Quality - GBRMPA eLibrary, accessed August 1, 2025,
Contextual Support

Catchments and corals: terrestrial runoff to the Great Barrier Reef - The Australian Institute of Marine Science, accessed July 28, 2025,

View Source
Preview of www.publications.qld.gov.au, accessed May 16, 2025,
www.publications.qld.gov.au, accessed May 16, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

The Soils of Cape York Peninsula. Cooktown and Weipa Sections. Land Resource Survey and Evaluation.

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Not Stated
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

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

Notes

Compressed range compared to mainland systems, reflecting conservation priorities and sustainable grazing goals. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.