Soil pH — Benchmark Detail

Benchmark Value

7.2 pH

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

A detailed soil profile from a Salmon Gum (Eucalyptus salmonophloia) site within the GWW reports a topsoil (0-5 cm) pH value of 7.2, measured in a calcium chloride (CaCl2) solution.

Metric Definition:

Soil pH measured in calcium chloride (CaCl2) solution in topsoil (0-5 cm)

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the chemical acidity/alkalinity of topsoil measured as soil pH in calcium chloride solution for Woodland in Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands under Production Forestry. It indicates the best available condition achievable under Ecologically Sustainable Forest Management.

Justification:

The benchmark is from a high-integrity TERN reference site, representing the best available condition achievable under Ecologically Sustainable Forest Management (ESFM). The primary chemical degradation risk is acidification, with a lower critical threshold at pH 5.0 below which ecosystem functions are compromised.

Sources (1)

Preview of Soil | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed August 12, 2025,

Soil | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed August 12, 2025, Journal

OzFlux-TERN GWW SuperSite presentation: Soil Chemical Properties

View Source

Supporting Sources (4)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of A report on silvicultural guidelines for the 2024- 2033 Forest Management Plan to the Western Australian Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and, accessed July 12, 2025,

A report on silvicultural guidelines for the 2024- 2033 Forest Management Plan to the Western Australian Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and, accessed July 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Ecological Thinning Information and Workbook - AWS

View Source

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

Direct Evidence Government

Soil acidity - Department for Environment and Water

View Source

Native Forests Show Resilience to Selective Timber Harvesting in Southeast Queensland, Australia - Frontiers, accessed July 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

The Secret Woodlands That Safeguard Australia's Threatened Birds | The Pew Charitable Trusts

View Source

Sustainable forest management and the ecosystem approach - an ...

Contextual Support Journal

Sustainable forest management and the ecosystem approach - an ...

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands
Land Use Production Forestry
Assessment Conservation Target
Vegetation Woodland
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 9 Jun 2026

Notes

Lower Critical Threshold: 5 pH. No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always better up to natural saturation. No evidence for an upper detrimental pH threshold caused by management; very high pH (>8.5) is a natural feature of calcareous or saline soils where Electrical Conductivity (EC) is the primary limiting factor.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TSW-FOR-SPH family.