Fungal:Bacterial Ratio

AUS-TMS-AGR-SFB General Low confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 0.8 to 1.5 index

Optimal Range: 0.8 to 1.5

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 4 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 3 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

This report proposes an inferred target F:B ratio range of 0.8 – 1.5 (unitless) for well-established, high-performing regenerative cropping systems in this biome, acknowledging this is for discussion and requires future validation.

Metric Definition:

Ratio of fungal biomass to bacterial biomass in soil under sustainable agricultural crop production.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the target range of fungal to bacterial biomass ratio in soil for healthy, regenerative agricultural cropping systems in the Tropical Monsoonal Savannas biome, indicating improved soil microbial community balance.

Justification:

The range is inferred from ecological principles and related land use studies due to lack of direct empirical data in Australian Tropical Monsoonal Savannas agricultural crop production.

Sources (1)

Preview of Responses of communities of soil organisms and plants to soil aging at two contrasting long-term chronosequences | Request PDF - ResearchGate

Responses of communities of soil organisms and plants to soil aging at two contrasting long-term chronosequences | Request PDF - ResearchGate Journal

Afforestation alters community structure of soil fungi | Request PDF - ResearchGate

View Source

Supporting Sources (12)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Dynamics of microbial biomass nitrogen in relation to plant nitrogen uptake during the crop growth period in a dry tropical cropland in Tanzania - Taylor & Francis Online

Dynamics of microbial biomass nitrogen in relation to plant nitrogen uptake during the crop growth period in a dry tropical cropland in Tanzania - Taylor & Francis Online

Contextual Support Journal

Dynamics of microbial biomass nitrogen in relation to plant nitrogen uptake during the crop growth period in a dry tropical cropland in Tanzania - Taylor & Francis Online

View Source

Dynamics of Sudanian Savanna-Woodland Ecosystem in Response to Disturbances - - Administrative page for SLU library

Contextual Support Journal

Dynamics of Sudanian Savanna-Woodland Ecosystem in Response to Disturbances - - Administrative page for SLU library

View Source

Effect of strategic tillage in soil microbial communities in Vertisols from Queensland, Australia - UQ eSpace, accessed July 17, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Effect of strategic tillage in soil microbial communities in Vertisols from Queensland, Australia - UQ eSpace, accessed July 21, 2025

View Source

Preview of EFFECTS OF PRESCRIBED FIRE ON SOIL BIOGEOCHEMISTRY IN A MIXED GRASS PRAIRIE A Dissertation Submitted to the College of Graduate - HARVEST (uSask)

EFFECTS OF PRESCRIBED FIRE ON SOIL BIOGEOCHEMISTRY IN A MIXED GRASS PRAIRIE A Dissertation Submitted to the College of Graduate - HARVEST (uSask)

Contextual Support

Effects of fire on the soil microbial metabolic quotient: A global meta-analysis | Request PDF

View Source

Final report - MLA

Contextual Support Journal

Final report - MLA

View Source

Microbial Regulation of - Soil Structural Dynamics - CABI Digital Library

Contextual Support Journal

Microbial Regulation of - Soil Structural Dynamics - CABI Digital Library

View Source

Preview of Montealegre CM, van Kessel C, Russelle MP, Sadowsky MJ.. Changes in microbial activity and composition in a pasture ecosystem exposed to elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide. Plant Soil 243: 197-207 - ResearchGate

Montealegre CM, van Kessel C, Russelle MP, Sadowsky MJ.. Changes in microbial activity and composition in a pasture ecosystem exposed to elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide. Plant Soil 243: 197-207 - ResearchGate

Contextual Support Journal

View Source

Responses of communities of soil organisms and plants to soil aging at two contrasting long-term chronosequences | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 19, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Temporal and seasonal change in microbial community structure of ...

View Source

Seasonal dynamics of soil respiration and nitrification in three ...

Methodology Source Government

Seasonal dynamics of soil respiration and nitrification in three subtropical plantations in southern China - iForest - Biogeosciences and Forestry

View Source

Soil Quality and Its Management in Humid Subtropical and Tropical Environments - UKnowledge, accessed May 15, 2025,

Contextual Support

Soil Quality and Its Management in Humid Subtropical and Tropical Environments - UKnowledge

View Source

The Importance of Termites to the CH4 Balance of a Tropical Savanna Woodland of Northern Australia - ResearchGate

Contextual Support Journal

The Importance of Termites to the CH4 Balance of a Tropical Savanna Woodland of Northern Australia - ResearchGate

View Source

The legacy of intensive agricultural history on the soil health of (sub)tropical landscapes, accessed July 16, 2025,

Contextual Support

The legacy of intensive agricultural history on the soil health of (sub)tropical landscapes, accessed July 16, 2025,

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical Monsoonal Savannas
Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
Assessment Agricultural Biodiversity Target
Evidence Type TargetCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 2
Effective From 31 May 2026

Notes

Proposed benchmark is an inferred target range due to the current lack of direct, published research in Australian tropical savanna regenerative cropping systems. This range reflects an expected increase in fungal dominance with reduced disturbance and improved soil health. No strong evidence for an upper detrimental threshold was found. Soil pH and seasonality effects require local research.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TMS-AGR-SFB family.