Microbial Respiration

AUS-TDG-FOR-SMR General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 6.5 to 10.2 mg/kg/day

Optimal Range: 6.5 to 10.2

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 Point Guard OptimalRange Guard Point Guard

Evidence & Context

Based on the analysis of Livesley et al. (2009) 7, a benchmark range of 6.5 – 10.2 mg CO2-C/kg/day is proposed for soil microbial respiration (represented by total soil CO2 efflux) in Australian Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands under conditions aspiring to the "best available condition of nature."

Metric Definition:

Soil microbial respiration, particularly basal respiration, is a fundamental measure of the metabolic activity of soil microorganisms.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the optimal range of soil microbial respiration, measured as total soil CO2 efflux, in Australian Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands under near-natural, undisturbed conditions.

Justification:

The native Eucalyptus marginata woodland studied by Livesley et al. (2009) represents a mature, relatively undisturbed ecosystem within the target biome type. Such an ecosystem is likely to exhibit high ecological function and robust soil health, serving as a scientifically defensible proxy for the "best available natural condition."

Sources (1)

Preview of Soil–atmosphere exchange of greenhouse gases in a Eucalyptus marginata woodland, a clover-grass pasture, and Pinus radiata and Eucalyptus globulus plantations

Soil–atmosphere exchange of greenhouse gases in a Eucalyptus marginata woodland, a clover-grass pasture, and Pinus radiata and Eucalyptus globulus plantations

Supporting Sources (16)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Soil Respiration and Global Carbon Cycle - ResearchGate, accessed on June 7, 2025,

(PDF) Soil Respiration and Global Carbon Cycle - ResearchGate, accessed on June 7, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

(PDF) Soil Respiration and Global Carbon Cycle - ResearchGate, accessed on June 7, 2025

Preview of A positive feedback to climate change: The effect of temperature on the respiration of key wood‐decomposing fungi does not dec - Open Research Exeter (ORE), accessed on June 7, 2025,

A positive feedback to climate change: The effect of temperature on the respiration of key wood‐decomposing fungi does not dec - Open Research Exeter (ORE), accessed on June 7, 2025,

Contextual Support

A positive feedback to climate change: The effect of temperature on the respiration of key wood‐decomposing fungi does not dec - Open Research Exeter (ORE), accessed on June 7, 2025

Preview of Australia state of the environment 2016: land, accessed July 15, 2025,

Australia state of the environment 2016: land, accessed July 15, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Biodiversity benefits of vegetation restoration are undermined by livestock grazing - Threatened Species Recovery Hub, accessed July 15, 2025,

Preview of Australia's State of the Forests Report 2013 - Criterion 4 Conservation and maintenance of soil and water resources, accessed August 1, 2025,

Australia's State of the Forests Report 2013 - Criterion 4 Conservation and maintenance of soil and water resources, accessed August 1, 2025,

Contextual Support

Australia's State of the Forests Report 2013 - Criterion 4 ..., accessed on June 7, 2025,

Preview of Australia's State of the Forests Report 2018 13 Criterion 4 - DAFF, accessed August 1, 2025,

Australia's State of the Forests Report 2018 13 Criterion 4 - DAFF, accessed August 1, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Temperate forests and soils [Chapter 6]

Preview of Bryan F.J. Manly, Jorge A. Navarro Alberto-Multivariate Statistical Methods - A Primer-Chapman and Hall - CRC (2016) | PDF | Soil | Organic Farming - Scribd, accessed on June 7, 2025,

Bryan F.J. Manly, Jorge A. Navarro Alberto-Multivariate Statistical Methods - A Primer-Chapman and Hall - CRC (2016) | PDF | Soil | Organic Farming - Scribd, accessed on June 7, 2025,

Methodology Source

Bryan F.J. Manly, Jorge A. Navarro Alberto-Multivariate Statistical Methods - A Primer-Chapman and Hall - CRC (2016) | PDF | Soil | Organic Farming - Scribd, accessed on June 7, 2025,

Preview of Carbon, Nitrogen and Phosphorus Cycling in Forest Soils - Wildland Fire Research Institute, accessed on June 7, 2025,

Carbon, Nitrogen and Phosphorus Cycling in Forest Soils - Wildland Fire Research Institute, accessed on June 7, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Soil Methane Dynamics of Skid Trails and Landings in Managed Northern Hardwood Forests - Thesis Template, accessed on June 7, 2025

Preview of Effects of drought on optimum temperature of carbon fluxes in temperate grasslands, accessed on June 7, 2025,

Effects of drought on optimum temperature of carbon fluxes in temperate grasslands, accessed on June 7, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Carbon, Nitrogen and Phosphorus Cycling in Forest Soils - Wildland Fire Research Institute, accessed on June 7, 2025

Preview of Issues Paper 1 Climate Change: Land use - Agriculture and Forestry - Amazing Carbon!, accessed on June 7, 2025, ).pdf

Issues Paper 1 Climate Change: Land use - Agriculture and Forestry - Amazing Carbon!, accessed on June 7, 2025, ).pdf

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Studies on variations in physico-chemical and biological characteristics at different maturity stages of municipal solid waste compost - ResearchGate, accessed on June 7, 2025

Preview of Multiple factors co-limit short-term in situ soil carbon dioxide emissions - PMC, accessed on June 7, 2025,

Multiple factors co-limit short-term in situ soil carbon dioxide emissions - PMC, accessed on June 7, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Multiple factors co-limit short-term in situ soil carbon dioxide emissions - PMC, accessed on June 7, 2025,

Preview of Organic matter characteristics under native forest, long-term pasture, and recent conversion to Eucalyptus plantations in Western Australia: microbial biomass, soil respiration, and permanganate oxidation | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed on June 7, 2025,

Organic matter characteristics under native forest, long-term pasture, and recent conversion to Eucalyptus plantations in Western Australia: microbial biomass, soil respiration, and permanganate oxidation | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed on June 7, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

Organic matter characteristics under native forest, long-term pasture, and recent conversion to Eucalyptus plantations in Western Australia: microbial biomass, soil respiration, and permanganate oxidation | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed on June 7, 2025

Preview of Soil health indicators for monitoring forest ecological restoration: a critical review | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed on June 7, 2025,

Soil health indicators for monitoring forest ecological restoration: a critical review | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed on June 7, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Australia's State of the Forests Report - updated indicators - DAFF

Preview of Soil Methane Dynamics of Skid Trails and Landings in Managed Northern Hardwood Forests - Thesis Template, accessed on June 7, 2025,

Soil Methane Dynamics of Skid Trails and Landings in Managed Northern Hardwood Forests - Thesis Template, accessed on June 7, 2025,

Contextual Support

Soil Methane Dynamics of Skid Trails and Landings in Managed Northern Hardwood Forests - Thesis Template, accessed on June 7, 2025,

Preview of Soil–atmosphere exchange of greenhouse gases in a Eucalyptus ..., accessed on June 7, 2025,

Soil–atmosphere exchange of greenhouse gases in a Eucalyptus ..., accessed on June 7, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Multiple factors co-limit short-term in situ soil carbon dioxide emissions - PMC, accessed on June 7, 2025

Preview of The ridiculous notion of assessing ecological health and identifying useful concepts underneath - ResearchGate, accessed on June 7, 2025,

The ridiculous notion of assessing ecological health and identifying useful concepts underneath - ResearchGate, accessed on June 7, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

The ridiculous notion of assessing ecological health and identifying useful concepts underneath - ResearchGate, accessed on June 7, 2025

Preview of Understorey productivity in temperate grassy woodland responds to soil water availability but not to elevated [CO2 ] - PubMed, accessed August 9, 2025

Understorey productivity in temperate grassy woodland responds to soil water availability but not to elevated [CO2 ] - PubMed, accessed August 9, 2025

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

SNOWY MOUNTAIN FORESTED HILLSLOPE SOIL CHARACTERISATION, SOIL HYDROLOGICAL PROPERTIES AND SOIL GEOCHEMISTRY PROGRAM

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
Land Use Production Forestry
Assessment Pristine Reference
Vegetation Woodland
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 26 May 2026

Notes

Benchmark range derived from total soil CO2 efflux (35–55 mg C m⁻² h⁻¹) in a native Eucalyptus marginata woodland in Western Australia. Conversion to mg CO2-C/kg/day assumes 0-10 cm soil depth and 1.3 g/cm³ bulk density.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TDG-FOR-SMR family.