Soil Nitrogen

AUS-TSR-LVG-SON General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 5700 to 8500 mg/kg

Optimal Range: 5700 to 8500

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.

Evidence & Context

In the topsoil (0-10 cm) of established pasture sites on Ferrosols, the mean Total Nitrogen (TN) concentration was reported as 0.71% ± 0.14%. To convert this percentage to the standard unit of milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg), the following calculation is used: Value(mg/kg)=Value(%) × 10,000. Applying this conversion yields a mean reference value of 7100 mg/kg. The standard deviation reported in the study provides a typical observed range, from 0.57% (5700 mg/kg) to 0.85% (8500 mg/kg).

Metric Definition:

Total Nitrogen (TN) concentration in the topsoil (0-10 cm) of pasture sites on Ferrosols.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the typical range of Total Nitrogen concentration in the topsoil (0-10 cm) of well-managed pasture sites on Ferrosol soils in tropical and subtropical rainforests under livestock grazing. It indicates a high-health soil nitrogen level comparable to remnant rainforest conditions.

Justification:

Represents a robust, field-measured floor for a high-health system. The value is the mean from well-managed pasture sites not statistically different from remnant rainforest for TN.

Sources (1)

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Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? - Great Barrier Reef Foundation, accessed July 28, 2025,

Supporting Sources (33)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

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(PDF) Nutrient cycling in tropical pasture ecosystems - ResearchGate, accessed July 18, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) Nutrient cycling in tropical pasture ecosystems - ResearchGate, accessed July 18, 2025,

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ASC - FERROSOLS - Soil Science Australia, accessed July 18, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Soil Characteristics and Fertility of the Unique Jarrah Forest of ..., accessed July 20, 2025,

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Categories - nitrogen - CSIRO Data Access Portal

Contextual Support Government

Categories - nitrogen - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed July 18, 2025,

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Common soil types | Environment, land and water - Queensland Government, accessed August 9, 2025

Contextual Support Government

Australian Soil Classification edition 3 - CALCAROSOLS

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Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space-for-time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments, Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025,

Direct Evidence

Ludwig, J.A., Bastin, G.N., Chewings, V.H., Eager, R.W., and Liedloff, A.C. (2005). Clearing savannas for use as rangelands in Queensland: Altered landscapes and water-erosion processes. Rangeland Journal, 27(2), 135-149.

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Early response of soil properties and function to riparian rainforest restoration - Lake Baroon Catchment Care Group, accessed July 18, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Ecology of Nitrogen Fixing, Nitrifying, and Denitrifying ...

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Environmental Factors Affecting Australia's Livestock Industries - MLA, accessed August 8, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Environmental Factors Affecting Australia's Livestock Industries - MLA, accessed July 10, 2025,

Preview of Hydrology and runoff water quality from three improved pastures compared with virgin brigalow (Acacia harpophylla) woodland over 8 years in semiarid Australia - CSIRO Publishing

Hydrology and runoff water quality from three improved pastures compared with virgin brigalow (Acacia harpophylla) woodland over 8 years in semiarid Australia - CSIRO Publishing

Contextual Support Journal

Hydrology and runoff water quality from three improved pastures compared with virgin brigalow (Acacia harpophylla) woodland over 8 years in semiarid Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 18, 2025,

Preview of Industry | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed July 13, 2025,

Industry | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed July 13, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Industry | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed July 13, 2025,

Preview of Land management for graziers | Business Queensland, accessed August 8, 2025

Land management for graziers | Business Queensland, accessed August 8, 2025

Contextual Support Government

Reducing the impacts of grazing on water quality - EPA Victoria, accessed July 19, 2025,

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Land use and management influences on surface soil organic carbon in Tasmania, accessed July 18, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Land use and management influences on surface soil organic carbon in Tasmania, accessed July 18, 2025,

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Living soils in agriculture | TERN Australia, accessed July 25, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Living soils in agriculture | TERN Australia, accessed July 16, 2025,

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MOLYBDENUM - Incitec Pivot Fertilisers, accessed July 18, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

MOLYBDENUM - Incitec Pivot Fertilisers, accessed July 18, 2025,

Preview of Nitrate accumulation under cropping in the Ferrosols of Far North Queensland wet tropics, accessed July 18, 2025,

Nitrate accumulation under cropping in the Ferrosols of Far North Queensland wet tropics, accessed July 18, 2025,

Contextual Support

Nitrate accumulation under cropping in the Ferrosols of Far North Queensland wet tropics, accessed July 18, 2025,

Preview of Nitrogen - Qld | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed July 25, 2025,

Nitrogen - Qld | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed July 25, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Nitrogen - Qld | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed July 25, 2025,

Preview of Nitrogen deficiency-Improved Pasture | Yara Australia, accessed August 5, 2025,

Nitrogen deficiency-Improved Pasture | Yara Australia, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support

Nitrogen deficiency-Improved Pasture | Yara Australia

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Nitrogen fertilisation in tropical pastures: what are the impacts of this practice? - alice Embrapa, accessed July 18, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Nitrogen fertilisation in tropical pastures: what are the impacts of this practice? - alice Embrapa, accessed July 18, 2025,

Preview of P.PSH.1050 – Phosphorus management and requirements of tropical legume pasture swards - MLA, accessed July 30, 2025,

P.PSH.1050 – Phosphorus management and requirements of tropical legume pasture swards - MLA, accessed July 30, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

P.PSH.1050 �� Phosphorus management and requirements of tropical legume pasture swards - MLA, accessed July 18, 2025,

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Pasture dieback — signs and symptoms - FutureBeef, accessed July 18, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Pasture dieback �� signs and symptoms - FutureBeef, accessed July 18, 2025,

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Pastures: Mackay Whitsunday region - FutureBeef, accessed July 18, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Pastures: Mackay Whitsunday region - FutureBeef, accessed July 18, 2025,

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Contextual Support Government

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Remediation of soil acidification by form of nitrogen fertilizer on grass swards of Australia and Thailand, accessed July 18, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Remediation of soil acidification by form of nitrogen fertilizer on grass swards of Australia and Thailand, accessed July 18, 2025,

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Runoff, soil loss, and nutrient transport from cropping systems on Red Ferrosols in tropical northern Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 18, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Runoff, soil loss, and nutrient transport from cropping systems on Red Ferrosols in tropical northern Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 18, 2025,

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Contextual Support Journal

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Contextual Support Government

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Tailoring Organic Fertilisers for Different Soil Types in Australia - SONIC Natural Farming, accessed July 18, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Tailoring Organic Fertilisers for Different Soil Types in Australia - SONIC Natural Farming, accessed July 18, 2025,

Preview of The nitrogen book: Principles of soil nitrogen fertility management in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales farming

The nitrogen book: Principles of soil nitrogen fertility management in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales farming

Contextual Support Journal

Soil condition | NSW State of the Environment, accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of Tropical Grasslands Vol. 2, No. 1, May, 1968 - SOURCES OF NITROGEN FOR QUEENSLAND PASTURES EF HENZELL, accessed July 18, 2025,

Tropical Grasslands Vol. 2, No. 1, May, 1968 - SOURCES OF NITROGEN FOR QUEENSLAND PASTURES EF HENZELL, accessed July 18, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Tropical Grasslands Vol. 2, No. 1, May, 1968 - SOURCES OF NITROGEN FOR QUEENSLAND PASTURES EF HENZELL, accessed July 18, 2025,

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Contextual Support Journal

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Tropical perennial grasses - the role of fertilisers and nitrogen - NSW ..., accessed July 18, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

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Contextual Support Government

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What do you see and when? What could this indicate? What test can I do to confirm? - MLA, accessed July 18, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

What do you see and when? What could this indicate? What test can I do to confirm? - MLA, accessed July 18, 2025,

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Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Potassium for high-performing pastures | Nutrient Advantage, accessed July 28, 2025,

Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical & Subtropical Rainforests
Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 15 Mar 2026

Notes

No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always better up to natural saturation. This value is derived from direct field measurements where pasture TN levels were not statistically different from adjacent remnant rainforest, indicating a high-health, stable condition. Confidence is rated 'Moderate' because while the source is strong and directly relevant, it represents well-maintained conventional pasture. Emerging evidence from regenerative grazing studies suggests the ultimate potential for nitrogen accumulation under best-on-offer management is likely higher, though not yet quantified with specific TN values in the literature. Thus, 7100 mg/kg should be considered a robust and scientifically defensible floor for a high-functioning system.