Soil Nitrogen

AUS-TGP-CON-SON General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

1000 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.

Evidence & Context

The benchmark of <1000 mg/kg reflects the inherently low nutrient status of these systems.

Metric Definition:

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

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark sets the upper limit of Total Soil Nitrogen for infertile sandy soils in temperate grassy woodlands and plains, reflecting their low nutrient baseline.

Justification:

Derived from SLGA data for large conservation reserves with moderate confidence.

Sources (1)

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

View Source

Supporting Sources (5)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

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

View Source
Preview of Australia's Biodiversity and Climate Change - DAFF, accessed August 10, 2025
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
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
Direct Evidence

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

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

Reflects the low nutrient baseline of these sandy soils.

Related Benchmarks

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

— mg/kg High
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Pristine Reference
OptimalRange Active v1
2500 mg/kg Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Pristine Reference
MaximumOnly Active v1
— mg/kg Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Pristine Reference
OptimalRange Active v1