Soil Nitrogen — Benchmark Detail

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 1000 to 2000 mg/kg

Optimal Range: 1000 to 2000

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 2 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 1 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

This report establishes that the 'best available condition' is represented by a Total Soil Nitrogen (TN) range of 1000–2000 mg/kg in the top 10 cm of granite-derived soils.

Metric Definition:

Total Soil Nitrogen (TN) in the top 10 cm of soil

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the optimal range of Total Soil Nitrogen in the top 10 cm of granite-derived soils in temperate grassy woodlands and plains, indicating a healthy, native-dominated ecosystem.

Justification:

The benchmark of 1000–2000 mg/kg is derived from SLGA data for the specific reference sites studied by Prober and colleagues, with strong convergence between ecological field assessments and national soil modelling.

Sources (2)

Preview of Identifying ecological barriers to restoration in temperate grassy woodlands: soil changes associated with different degradation states

Identifying ecological barriers to restoration in temperate grassy woodlands: soil changes associated with different degradation states

Identifying ecological barriers to restoration in temperate grassy woodlands: soil changes associated with different degradation states

View Source

Soil and Landscape Grid National Soil Attribute Maps - Total Nitrogen (3" resolution) - Release 2 Journal

Soil and Landscape Grid National Soil Attribute Maps - Total Nitrogen (3" resolution) - Release 2

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Supporting Sources (4)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

(PDF) Determining reference conditions for management and ..., accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Effects of Stock Grazing on Biodiversity Values in Temperate Native Grasslands and Grassy Woodlands in SE Australia: A Literature Review - ACT Government

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Australia's Biodiversity and Climate Change - DAFF, accessed August 10, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

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

View Source

Identifying ecological barriers to restoration in temperate grassy woodlands: soil changes associated with different degradation states - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

(PDF) Identifying ecological barriers to restoration in temperate grassy woodlands: soil changes associated with different degradation states - ResearchGate, accessed August 4, 2025,

View Source

Preview of Soil and Landscape Grid National Soil Attribute Maps - Total Nitrogen (3" resolution) - Release 2 - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed August 5, 2025,

Soil and Landscape Grid National Soil Attribute Maps - Total Nitrogen (3" resolution) - Release 2 - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Geology | Norfolk Island National Park | Parks Australia

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 10 Jun 2026

Notes

This range corresponds to sites that maintain very low levels of available nitrate (consistently <3 mg/kg) and are structurally dominated by native perennial grasses and a rich diversity of native forbs.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TGP-CON-SON family.