Soil Phosphorus

AUS-TMI-AGR-SOP General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 30 to 70 mg/kg
Optimal Range: 30 to 70
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 7 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 6 guard(s) constrain the result.

Evidence & Context

Soil Phosphorus 30 - 70 mg/kg Agricultural Audit and Land Use Capability Assessment for Norfolk Island High This benchmark represents the optimal range for available phosphorus in the volcanic Ferrosol soils of Norfolk Island, a key example of the target biome.

Metric Definition:

Available soil phosphorus measured by standard soil tests such as Colwell-P or Olsen-P, representing the labile phosphorus pool available for plant uptake.

Benchmark Definition:

Optimal range of available phosphorus in volcanic Ferrosol soils for sustainable agricultural crop production.

Justification:

Derived from the Agricultural Audit and Land Use Capability Assessment for Norfolk Island, tailored to the volcanic Ferrosol soils and regenerative agricultural practices.

Sources (1)

Preview of AGRICULTURAL AUDIT & LAND USE CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT ..., accessed July 30, 2025,
AGRICULTURAL AUDIT & LAND USE CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT ..., accessed July 30, 2025, Journal

VEGETATION 0}' LORD HOWE ISLAND - Botanic Gardens of Sydney

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Supporting Sources (1)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of NORFOLK ISLAND FOOD SECURITY STRATEGY 2023 - 2028 “Growing the local food economy for a resilient, sustainable and healthy com, accessed July 25, 2025,
NORFOLK ISLAND FOOD SECURITY STRATEGY 2023 - 2028 “Growing the local food economy for a resilient, sustainable and healthy com, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

NORFOLK ISLAND FOOD SECURITY STRATEGY 2023 - 2028 “Growing the local food economy for a resilient, sustainable and healthy com

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Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands
  • Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
  • Assessment Agricultural Biodiversity Target
  • Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 10 Jun 2026

Notes

Maintaining soil phosphorus within this range balances crop nutrient requirements with ecosystem health, supporting functional soil biology and minimizing environmental risk. Exceeding this range poses risks of nutrient leaching and ecological degradation.