Soil Phosphorus

AUS-TSW-FOR-SOP General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

15 mg/kg
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: Point

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 MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard

Evidence & Context

The benchmark of 15 mg/kg (available P, e.g., Colwell-P) represents the optimal level for balancing ecological health and productivity in this P-sensitive biome.

Metric Definition:

Available soil phosphorus (e.g., Colwell-P) concentration in soil.

Benchmark Definition:

The optimal soil phosphorus level balancing ecological health and productivity in production forestry within this biome.

Justification:

Derived from studies on analogous semi-arid woodland species and supported by agronomic literature for commercial eucalypt growth.

Sources (2)

Preview of ABARES report reaffirms sustainability, sovereign capability and climate credentials of Australian native forestry, accessed August 10, 2025,
ABARES report reaffirms sustainability, sovereign capability and climate credentials of Australian native forestry, accessed August 10, 2025, GreyLiterature

Review of fertiliser use in Australian forestry - Forest & Wood Products Australia

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Preview of Sensitivity of seedling growth to phosphorus supply in six tree species of the Australian Great Western Woodlands
Sensitivity of seedling growth to phosphorus supply in six tree species of the Australian Great Western Woodlands Journal

Sensitivity of seedling growth to phosphorus supply in six tree species of the Australian Great Western Woodlands

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Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics report shows Australia harvests 0.05% of native forests annually for timber, wood products, and those acres are then regenerated; national forest area grew by 2.8 million hectares from 2008 to 2021 - Industry Intelligence Inc.
Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics report shows Australia harvests 0.05% of native forests annually for timber, wood products, and those acres are then regenerated; national forest area grew by 2.8 million hectares from 2008 to 2021 - Industry Intelligence Inc.
Contextual Support

Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics report shows Australia harvests 0.05% of native forests annually for timber, wood products, and those acres are then regenerated; national forest area grew by 2.8 million hectares from 2008 to 2021 - Industry Intelligence Inc.

View Source
Preview of National Soil Monitoring Program - CSIRO, accessed August 4, 2025,
National Soil Monitoring Program - CSIRO, accessed August 4, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

National Soil Monitoring Program - CSIRO, accessed July 8, 2025

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Context

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

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 9 Jun 2026

Notes

Lower Critical Threshold: 5 mg/kg. Upper Detrimental Threshold: 20 mg/kg. The benchmark reflects a narrow management window to avoid deficiency and toxicity.

Related Benchmarks

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

— mg/kg Moderate
Production Forestry · Conservation Target · Woodland
OptimalRange Active v1