Soil Nitrogen

AUS-TMS-CON-SON General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 500 to 1200 mg/kg
Optimal Range: 500 to 1200
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 4 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 3 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

Based on available scientific literature, a reference range for total soil nitrogen in the topsoil (0-10 cm or 0-20 cm) of Australian tropical monsoonal savannas, representative of high environmental health within a conservation context, is proposed.

Metric Definition:

Total soil nitrogen concentration in the topsoil (0-10 cm or 0-20 cm) of Australian tropical monsoonal savannas under conservation/protected natural areas.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the typical range of total soil nitrogen concentration in the topsoil of Australian tropical monsoonal savannas under conservation management, indicating high environmental health and supporting characteristic biodiversity and ecosystem processes.

Justification:

The benchmark is based on field measurements from less disturbed savanna sites, particularly the T1P1 site with >6 years fire exclusion and higher tree cover, indicative of good nitrogen retention.

Sources (1)

Preview of Butterbach-Bahl, K., Kiese, R., Liu, C., & Werner, C. (2014). Nitrogen and greenhouse gas dynamics in managed and natural savanna and pasture ecosystems in northern Australia. Biogeosciences, 11(21), 6047-6062.
Butterbach-Bahl, K., Kiese, R., Liu, C., & Werner, C. (2014). Nitrogen and greenhouse gas dynamics in managed and natural savanna and pasture ecosystems in northern Australia. Biogeosciences, 11(21), 6047-6062. Journal

N$_2$O, NO, N$_2$ and CO$_2$ emissions from tropical savanna and grassland of northern Australia: an incubation experiment with intact soil cores

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Supporting Sources (1)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Landscape Monitoring for Landscape Research | Landscape ..., accessed July 22, 2025,
Landscape Monitoring for Landscape Research | Landscape ..., accessed July 22, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Litchfield Savanna SuperSite | Fire Regime Impact | TERN | NT

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Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical Monsoonal Savannas
  • Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 9 Jun 2026

Notes

Lower Critical Threshold: <300-400 mg/kg indicates significant loss of nutrient-conserving structures and functions. Upper Detrimental Threshold: >1500-2000 mg/kg or levels causing negative ecological shifts such as loss of N-fixing legumes and altered native community composition.