Soil Organic Carbon (SOC)

AUS-ASC-LVG-SOC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 3 to 6 %
Optimal Range: 3 to 6
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 13 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 12 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

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

Evidence & Context

An optimal range for SOC under best-practice grazing in these environments might be considered as 3.0% to 6.0% SOC (0-10cm), supporting robust ecosystem functions.

Metric Definition:

Optimal range of Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) concentration in the 0-10 cm soil depth supporting robust ecosystem functions under best-practice grazing.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the optimal soil organic carbon concentration range in the top 10 cm of soil that supports healthy ecosystem functions under sustainable grazing in alpine and subalpine regions.

Justification:

Derived from general pasture guidelines and observed values in successful regenerative systems.

Sources (2)

Preview of Approaching carbon neutral on a sheep and agroforestry farm | On ...
Approaching carbon neutral on a sheep and agroforestry farm | On ... Government

Approaching carbon neutral on a sheep and agroforestry farm | On ...

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Preview of What are the optimum nutrient targets for pastures? - Soil Health Knowledgebase, accessed August 5, 2025,
What are the optimum nutrient targets for pastures? - Soil Health Knowledgebase, accessed August 5, 2025, Government

Scanlan, C. A., et al. (2013). Soil Quality: 10 Plant Nutrition. CCMA Soil Health Knowledge Base.

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Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Grazing disturbance significantly decreased soil organic carbon contents of alpine grasslands on the Tibetan Plateau - Frontiers
Grazing disturbance significantly decreased soil organic carbon contents of alpine grasslands on the Tibetan Plateau - Frontiers
Contextual Support Journal

Grazing Intensity Accelerates Surface Soil C and N Cycling in Alpine Pastures as Revealed by Soil Genes and δ 15 N Ratio - MDPI

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Preview of Journal on Protected Mountain Areas Research and Management
Journal on Protected Mountain Areas Research and Management
Contextual Support Journal

Development of a new piosphere in arid chenopod shrubland grazed by sheep. I. Changes to the soil surface. - ResearchGate

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Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Alpine and Subalpine Complex
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 17 Mar 2026

Notes

This range supports high ecological function and resilience in managed alpine grazing contexts.