Soil Nitrogen

AUS-AIF-LVG-SON General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

2000 mg/kg
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 3 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 2 guard(s) constrain the result.

Evidence & Context

Total N concentrations greater than 2000 mg/kg in these floodplain soils would be highly anomalous and likely reflect nutrient concentration rather than a healthy, functioning system.

Metric Definition:

Upper detrimental threshold of Total Soil Nitrogen concentration indicating ecological imbalance and risk of weed invasion.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the upper limit of Total Soil Nitrogen concentration in floodplain soils, above which ecological imbalance and increased risk of invasive species occur.

Justification:

Inferred from ecological context indicating values above this level may favor invasive nitrophilic weeds and represent degraded states.

Sources (1)

Preview of Soil-landscape and vegetation indicators of condition in the Channel Country, Queensland, Australia
Soil-landscape and vegetation indicators of condition in the Channel Country, Queensland, Australia

Soil-landscape and vegetation indicators of condition in the Channel Country, Queensland, Australia

View Source

Supporting Sources (1)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Channel Country bioregion - DCCEEW, accessed July 21, 2025
Channel Country bioregion - DCCEEW, accessed July 21, 2025
Direct Evidence Journal

Channel Country bioregion - DCCEEW, accessed July 21, 2025

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Arid Inland Floodplains & Ephemeral River Systems
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Not Stated
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

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

Notes

Not a toxicity threshold but an ecological tipping point signaling nutrient imbalance and increased weed invasion risk. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.