Soil Nitrogen

AUS-TGP-FOR-SON General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

1500 mg/kg

Direction: Higher is desirable ↑

Form: MaximumOnly

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.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

A plausible threshold for the reference loamy sand soil would be > 1500 mg/kg.

Metric Definition:

Upper detrimental threshold of total soil nitrogen indicating ecological harm

Benchmark Definition:

Upper detrimental threshold of total soil nitrogen above which significant negative ecological consequences occur in Australian Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains production forestry on loamy sand soil.

Justification:

Threshold where negative effects such as weed invasion and greenhouse gas emissions begin to manifest.

Sources (2)

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

Preview of Living soils in agriculture | TERN Australia, accessed July 25, 2025,

Living soils in agriculture | TERN Australia, accessed July 25, 2025, Government

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

View Source

Supporting Sources (4)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

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

Soil management guides - NSW Department of Primary Industries

Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

Soil management guides - NSW Department of Primary Industries

View Source

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 DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 9 Jun 2026

Notes

Represents a shift from a healthy ecosystem to a degraded, nutrient-enriched state. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TGP-FOR-SON family.