Soil pH — Benchmark Detail

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 5 to 6.5 pH

Optimal Range: 5 to 6.5

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 19 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 18 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard OptimalRange Guard Point Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

Based on these lines of evidence, the proposed optimal soil pH(CaCl₂) range for Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands under sustainable grazing is 5.0 – 6.5.

Metric Definition:

Topsoil pH measured in 0.01 M calcium chloride (CaCl₂) solution, representing the optimal range for ecosystem health and function.

Justification:

Supported by empirical data from reference sites and ecological principles indicating healthy native ecosystem function within this range.

Sources (2)

Preview of Agriculture Victoria. (2024). Soil acidity.

Agriculture Victoria. (2024). Soil acidity. Government

Agriculture Victoria. (2025). Soil acidity. Farm Management.

View Source

Preview of Prober, S. M., Lunt, I. D., & Thiele, K. R. (2002). Determining reference conditions for management and restoration of temperate grassy woodlands: relationships among trees, topsoils and understorey flora in little-grazed remnants. Australian Journal of Botany, 50(6), 687–697.

Prober, S. M., Lunt, I. D., & Thiele, K. R. (2002). Determining reference conditions for management and restoration of temperate grassy woodlands: relationships among trees, topsoils and understorey flora in little-grazed remnants. Australian Journal of Botany, 50(6), 687–697. Journal

Prober, S.M., Thiele, K.R. and Lunt, I.D. (2002). Determining reference conditions for management and restoration of temperate grassy woodlands: relationships among trees, topsoils and understorey flora in little-grazed remnants. Australian Journal of Botany, 50(6), 687-697.

View Source

Supporting Sources (3)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Government of South Australia, Department for Environment and Water. (n.d.). Soil Health and Condition.

Contextual Support Government

Soil acidity - Department for Environment and Water

View Source

Manage soil acidity | EverGraze More livestock from perennials

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Manage soil acidity | EverGraze More livestock from perennials, accessed July 18, 2025,

View Source

Soil Quality Knowledge Base. (n.d.). Soil pH.

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Soil Quality Knowledge Base. (n.d.). Soil pH.

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 9 Jun 2026

Notes

No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always better up to natural saturation. Range includes natural variability and avoids extremes of acidity and alkalinity detrimental to native flora. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TDG-LVG-SPH family.