Soil pH

AUS-TDG-LVG-SPH General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

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

Evidence & Context

More significant detrimental impacts on non-alkaline adapted native communities are likely if pH(CaCl₂) rises above 8.0.

Metric Definition:

Soil pH measured in 0.01 M calcium chloride (CaCl₂) solution, indicating a higher upper pH limit with severe ecological detriments.

Justification:

Supported by soil science literature indicating nutrient deficiencies and structural problems at high pH.

Sources (1)

Preview of Soil Quality Knowledge Base. (n.d.). Soil pH.
Soil Quality Knowledge Base. (n.d.). Soil pH. GreyLiterature

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

View Source

Supporting Sources (4)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Agriculture Victoria. (2024). Soil acidity.
Agriculture Victoria. (2024). Soil acidity.
Contextual Support Government

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

View Source
Preview of Government of South Australia, Department for Environment and Water. (n.d.). Soil Health and Condition.
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
Preview of Manage soil acidity | EverGraze More livestock from perennials
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
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.
Contextual Support 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

Context

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

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 2
  • Effective From 9 Jun 2026

Notes

Applies to non-alkaline adapted native plant communities and soil biota. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.