Soil pH — Benchmark Detail

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 5.5 to 7 pH

Optimal Range: 5.5 to 7

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

The optimal functional range for overall ecosystem health (plant and microbial) is pH 5.5 to 7.0.

Metric Definition:

Soil pH measured in 0.01 M CaCl₂ solution representing optimal functional range for ecosystem health

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the optimal soil pH range that supports chemical, physical, and biological soil functions in temperate grazing systems.

Justification:

This range ensures peak activity for soil microbes and optimal nutrient availability for pasture species.

Sources (1)

Preview of Procedure for Soil Respiration (CO2 Evolution from Rewetting a Dried Soil) - Soil Fertility, accessed July 9, 2025

Procedure for Soil Respiration (CO2 Evolution from Rewetting a Dried Soil) - Soil Fertility, accessed July 9, 2025 GreyLiterature

Tool 6.7 Soil health benchmarks and guidelines for managing ...

View Source

Supporting Sources (13)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

(PDF) The pH of Australian soils: field results from a national survey - ResearchGate, accessed July 25, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Caritat, P. de, & Cooper, M. (2011). The pH of Australian soils: Field results from a national survey. Soil Research, 49, 172-182.

View Source

Agriculture Victoria. (2024). Soil acidity.

Contextual Support Government

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

View Source

Preview of Australian dryland soils are acidic and nutrient-depleted, and have unique microbial communities compared with other drylands - PMC, accessed August 5, 2025,

Australian dryland soils are acidic and nutrient-depleted, and have unique microbial communities compared with other drylands - PMC, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

How should we manage our soils to increase soil carbon?, accessed May 10, 2026

View Source

Do grazing intensity and herbivore type affect soil health? Insights from a semi-arid productivity gradient, accessed July 24, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Soil acidification | .Meat & Livestock Australia

View Source

Managing soils - Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, accessed August 12, 2025

Contextual Support Government

Repairing gully erosion in Western Australia | Department of Primary ..., accessed July 17, 2025

View Source

Preview of Natural Temperate Grassland of the South Eastern Highlands: a nationally protected ecological community - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025,

Natural Temperate Grassland of the South Eastern Highlands: a nationally protected ecological community - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Natural Temperate Grassland of the South Eastern ... - DCCEEW

View Source

NSW Department of Primary Industries. (2021). Soil Acidity and Liming (AC.19).

Contextual Support Government

Understanding soil pH

View Source

Pastures and acid soils - NSW Government

Contextual Support Journal

What do you see and when? What could this indicate? What test can I do to confirm? - MLA

View Source

Soil pH - SA | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au

Contextual Support Government

Soil Acidity - NSW | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au

View Source

SoilQuality.org.au. (n.d.). Soil Acidity Factsheet.

Contextual Support

Soil Acidity | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed July 20, 2025,

View Source

Understanding soil tests for pastures | Soil | Farm management ..., accessed May 12, 2025

Contextual Support Government

Agriculture Victoria. (2025). Understanding soil tests for pastures. Farm Management.

View Source

What are the optimum nutrient targets for pastures? - Soil Health Knowledgebase, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

What are the optimum nutrient targets for pastures? - Soil Health Knowledgebase, accessed July 18, 2025

View Source

www.barrierreef.org, accessed on May 25, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Regenerative Agriculture Program restoring soil pH case study: Macdonald, Whites Flat/Koppio, accessed July 18, 2025,

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 9 Jun 2026

Notes

Represents the 'sweet spot' for soil function and pasture productivity in temperate grazing systems. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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