Soil Nitrogen

AUS-TSW-CON-SON General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

600 mg/kg
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: Point

Scoring Curve

Scoring curve unavailable

The scoring engine could not generate a curve for this benchmark context. The primary form is Point, 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

The benchmark represents the median total nitrogen in topsoil (0-15 cm) for high-health conservation areas. Values are stratified by texture due to natural variability: Sandy soils ~600 mg/kg; Loamy soils ~900 mg/kg; Clayey soils ~1200 mg/kg.

Metric Definition:

Median total nitrogen in topsoil (0-15 cm) for high-health conservation areas

Benchmark Definition:

Median total nitrogen in the top 15 cm of soil for high-health conservation areas with sandy soils, reflecting naturally low nutrient status and organic matter content.

Justification:

Values are stratified by texture due to natural variability and reflect the naturally low nutrient status of the biome.

Sources (1)

Preview of Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia; Soil nitrogen availability in the cereal zone of South Australia. I. Soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and nitrogen mineralisation rates
Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia; Soil nitrogen availability in the cereal zone of South Australia. I. Soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and nitrogen mineralisation rates Government

Soil and Landscape Grid National Soil Attribute Maps - Total Nitrogen (3" resolution) - Release 2

View Source

Supporting Sources (3)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus on vegetation dynamics of a degraded native grassland in semi-arid south-eastern Australia - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal, accessed July 13, 2025,
Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus on vegetation dynamics of a degraded native grassland in semi-arid south-eastern Australia - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal, accessed July 13, 2025,
Direct Evidence Journal

(PDF) Grassland soil carbon and nitrogen stocks under temperate ..., accessed August 4, 2025,

View Source
Preview of SLGA: Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia (Soil Attributes) | Earth Engine Data Catalog
SLGA: Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia (Soil Attributes) | Earth Engine Data Catalog
Direct Evidence Journal

Soil and Landscape Grid National Soil Attribute Maps - Total Nitrogen (3" resolution) - Release 2 - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed July 13, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia - CSIRO, accessed July 30, 2025,
Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia - CSIRO, accessed July 30, 2025,
Direct Evidence Government

Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia - CSIRO

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands
  • Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

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

Notes

Reflects the naturally low organic matter content and poor nutrient retention capacity of sandy soils, such as the calcareous sands and deep sands found in mallee and sandplain ecosystems. No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always better up to natural saturation.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TSW-CON-SON family.

900 mg/kg Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Pristine Reference
Point Active v1
1200 mg/kg Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Pristine Reference
Point Active v1
300 mg/kg Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Pristine Reference
MinimumOnly Active v1
2000 mg/kg Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Pristine Reference
MaximumOnly Active v1
— mg/kg Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Pristine Reference
OptimalRange Active v1