Soil Nitrogen

AUS-TGP-FOR-SON General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 500 to 1000 mg/kg
Optimal Range: 500 to 1000
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 3 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 2 guard(s) constrain the result.

Evidence & Context

For a production forestry system on a loamy sand soil, an optimal range for total soil nitrogen in the top 0-15 cm would be 500 – 1000 mg/kg.

Metric Definition:

Optimal functional range of total soil nitrogen in the topsoil layer (0-15 cm) for production forestry

Benchmark Definition:

Optimal functional range of total soil nitrogen supporting productive tree growth and native understorey health in Australian Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains production forestry on loamy sand soil.

Justification:

Expert-derived range centered on the benchmark to balance nutrient demands and maintain low-nutrient adapted understorey.

Sources (1)

Preview of Elevated carbon dioxide increases soil nitrogen and phosphorus availability in a phosphorus-limited Eucalyptus woodland
Elevated carbon dioxide increases soil nitrogen and phosphorus availability in a phosphorus-limited Eucalyptus woodland Journal

Elevated carbon dioxide increases soil nitrogen and phosphorus availability in a phosphorus-limited Eucalyptus woodland

View Source

Supporting Sources (5)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Chapter 9 AUSTRALIAN GRASSLANDS - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, accessed August 5, 2025,
Chapter 9 AUSTRALIAN GRASSLANDS - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

How Past Rainfall Shapes Australia's Dryland Ecosystems - Western Sydney University

View Source
Preview of EFFECTS OF INTENSIFIED HARVESTING ON RATES OF NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS REMOVAL FROM PINUS RADIATA AND EUCALYPTUS FORESTS IN AUSTR - Scion Research
EFFECTS OF INTENSIFIED HARVESTING ON RATES OF NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS REMOVAL FROM PINUS RADIATA AND EUCALYPTUS FORESTS IN AUSTR - Scion Research
Direct Evidence Journal

EFFECTS OF INTENSIFIED HARVESTING ON RATES OF NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS REMOVAL FROM PINUS RADIATA AND EUCALYPTUS FORESTS IN AUSTR

View Source
Preview of Living soils in agriculture | TERN Australia, accessed July 25, 2025,
Living soils in agriculture | TERN Australia, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Living soils in agriculture | TERN Australia, accessed July 16, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Soil management guides - NSW Department of Primary Industries
Soil management guides - NSW Department of Primary Industries
Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

Soil management guides - NSW Department of Primary Industries

View Source
Preview of Temperate Grasslands - Greening Australia, accessed August 4, 2025
Temperate Grasslands - Greening Australia, accessed August 4, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Plant nutrients in the soil - NSW Department of Primary Industries

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
  • Land Use Production Forestry
  • Assessment Not Stated
  • Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

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

Notes

Represents a safe operating space avoiding both nitrogen depletion and excess detrimental effects. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.