Soil pH — Benchmark Detail

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 5.5 to 7 pH

Optimal Range: 5.5 to 7

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

For non-calcareous, typically acidic to neutral savanna soils: an optimal range of pHw 5.5 - 7.0 (1:5 soil:water suspension) is considered indicative of high environmental health.

Metric Definition:

Soil pH measured in a 1:5 soil:water suspension (pHw)

Benchmark Definition:

Optimal soil pH range for non-calcareous, typically acidic to neutral savanna soils.

Justification:

This range is derived from considering the baseline pH of such soils, the general optima for plant and microbial health, and the understanding that regenerative practices aim to improve soil health without fundamentally altering natural soil character.

Sources (1)

Preview of Soil nutrient critical limits | MBFP | More Beef from Pastures - MLA, accessed May 13, 2025,

Soil nutrient critical limits | MBFP | More Beef from Pastures - MLA, accessed May 13, 2025, Government

Understanding soil tests for pastures | Soil | Farm management ..., accessed July 17, 2025

View Source

Supporting Sources (37)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

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Preview of Soil health: looking for suitable indicators. What should be considered to assess the effects of use and management on soil heal - alice Embrapa, accessed July 28, 2025,

Soil health: looking for suitable indicators. What should be considered to assess the effects of use and management on soil heal - alice Embrapa, accessed July 28, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

www.barenbrug.com.au, accessed May 13, 2025,

View Source

Preview of Soil organic carbon content at a range of north Australian tropical savannas with contrasting site histories - OPUS at UTS, accessed May 16, 2025,

Soil organic carbon content at a range of north Australian tropical savannas with contrasting site histories - OPUS at UTS, accessed May 16, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

opus.lib.uts.edu.au

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

Preview of Soil surface pH DSM data of the Southern Gulf catchments (NT and Qld) generated by the Southern Gulf Water Resource Assessment - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed May 13, 2025,

Soil surface pH DSM data of the Southern Gulf catchments (NT and Qld) generated by the Southern Gulf Water Resource Assessment - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed May 13, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Gibbons, P., & Sharp, A. (2015). Impacts of warming and fire on soil moisture and available nutrients in a sub-alpine heathland. Climate Research, 64, 159-170.

View Source

Tropical Pasture - Barenbrug Australia, accessed July 18, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

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

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical Monsoonal Savannas
Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
Assessment Conservation Target
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 1 Jun 2026

Notes

No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always better up to natural saturation. This range supports native plant communities, nutrient cycling, and microbial health in inherently acidic/neutral savanna soils under best-practice management.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TMS-LVG-SPH family.