Soil Phosphorus

AUS-TDG-FOR-SOP General Low confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 3 to 10 mg/kg

Optimal Range: 3 to 10

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 14 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 13 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

An optimal range for supporting native tree health for sustainable production, robust understorey diversity, and ecosystem processes, without inducing P-stress or toxicity, is estimated to be 3–10 mg/kg (Colwell P/Olsen P).

Metric Definition:

Range of available soil phosphorus supporting native tree health, understorey diversity, and ecosystem processes without P-stress or toxicity.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the optimal soil phosphorus range that supports ecological health and sustainable production forestry without causing phosphorus stress or toxicity.

Justification:

Supports good native tree health for sustainable production, robust understorey diversity, and ecosystem processes without inducing P-stress or toxicity.

Sources (3)

Preview of Phosphorus fertiliser management for pastures based on native grasses in south-eastern Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025,

Phosphorus fertiliser management for pastures based on native grasses in south-eastern Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025, GreyLiterature

Phosphorus nutrition of phosphorus-sensitive Australian native ...

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Phosphorus nutrition of phosphorus-sensitive Australian native plants: threats to plant communities in a global biodiversity hotspot - PMC Journal

(PDF) Sensitivity of seedling growth to phosphorus supply in six tree ...

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Preview of Sensitivity of seedling growth to phosphorus supply in six tree species of the Australian Great Western Woodlands - ResearchGate, accessed August 11, 2025

Sensitivity of seedling growth to phosphorus supply in six tree species of the Australian Great Western Woodlands - ResearchGate, accessed August 11, 2025 Journal

Understanding soil tests for pastures | Soil | Farm management ...

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Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
Land Use Production Forestry
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 2
Effective From 10 Jun 2026

Notes

Emphasizes ecological health over maximized timber yield. Acknowledges some fertility-tolerant native species may benefit from slightly higher ends of this range but remains below levels causing widespread negative ecological consequences. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one. Pipeline quarantine: Lower confidence than existing active benchmark v1 (Moderate). Accepted by operator on 2026-06-10 11:37 UTC — superseded v2 (#3047)

Related Benchmarks

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