Soil Organic Carbon (SOC)

AUS-TDG-CON-SOC General High confidence

Benchmark Value

1 %
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: MinimumOnly

Scoring Curve

This curve shows how a field measurement for this indicator would score across all available benchmark forms in this context.

Evidence & Context

"Soil carbon levels were around 1% in the 0-10cm range with observed inefficient nutrient cycling."

Metric Definition:

Soil organic carbon concentration (%) in the 0-10 cm topsoil profile.

Benchmark Definition:

Critical threshold in native grassland soils where nutrient cycling and soil biology collapse, rendering it an ecological degradation threshold.

Justification:

Explicitly identifies a critical threshold in native grassland soils where nutrient cycling and soil biology collapse, rendering it an ecological degradation threshold.

Sources (1)

Preview of Pasture cropping on Winona - A Soils For Life case study
Pasture cropping on Winona - A Soils For Life case study GreyLiterature

Winona pasture cropping: the way to health

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Supporting Sources (5)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Soil Organic Carbon – Role in Rainfed Farming Systems With ...
(PDF) Soil Organic Carbon – Role in Rainfed Farming Systems With ...
Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

Soil Organic Carbon - Role in Rainfed Farming Systems With Particular Reference to Australian Conditions

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Preview of Soil carbon sequestration in rangelands: a critical review
Soil carbon sequestration in rangelands: a critical review
Irrelevant

Soil carbon sequestration in rangelands: a critical review

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Preview of Temporal changes in soil carbon and nitrogen in response to grazing management and vegetation cover in south-eastern Australia
Temporal changes in soil carbon and nitrogen in response to grazing management and vegetation cover in south-eastern Australia
Direct Evidence

Temporal changes in soil carbon and nitrogen in response to grazing management and vegetation cover in south-eastern Australia

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Preview of The relationship between soil organic carbon and soil surface characteristics in the semi-arid rangelands of southern Australia
The relationship between soil organic carbon and soil surface characteristics in the semi-arid rangelands of southern Australia
Direct Evidence Journal

The relationship between soil organic carbon and soil surface cover in rangelands of south-western New South Wales

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Preview of Total Soil Carbon, Particulate Organic Carbon, and Mineral-Associated Carbon Stocks under Different Grassland Ecosystems
Total Soil Carbon, Particulate Organic Carbon, and Mineral-Associated Carbon Stocks under Different Grassland Ecosystems
Contextual Support Journal

Total Soil Carbon, Particulate Organic Carbon, and Mineral-Associated Carbon Stocks under Different Grassland Ecosystems

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Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
  • Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
  • Assessment Rehabilitation Target
  • Vegetation Grassland
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 19 Jun 2026

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TDG-CON-SOC family.

1.04 % Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Conservation Target · Woodland
Point Active v1
0.92 % Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Conservation Target · Woodland
Point Active v1
19.74 mg/g Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Conservation Target · Grassland
Point Active v1
1 % High
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Rehabilitation Target
MinimumOnly Active v1
1.26 % High
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Conservation Target · Grassland
Point Active v1