Soil Water Infiltration Rate

AUS-TMI-FOR-SWI General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

1421 mm/hr
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: Point

Scoring Curve

This curve shows how a field measurement for this indicator would score across all available benchmark forms in this context.

Evidence & Context

The mean infiltration rate measured in the remnant riparian rainforest was 1421 mm/hr, with a standard deviation of 995 mm/hr, based on measurements from two sites.

Metric Definition:

Soil Water Infiltration Rate is defined as the rate of water entering the soil from the surface.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the rate at which water enters the soil surface in remnant riparian rainforest on Ferrosols, indicating a high-functioning forest ecosystem soil condition.

Justification:

This value is selected as the 'best-on-offer' benchmark for high-functioning Ferrosols. The remnant rainforest represents the highest state of ecological health and soil structural integrity achievable on this soil type, making it the ideal aspirational target for a best-practice forestry system.

Sources (1)

Preview of Gageler, R., et al. (2014). Restoring soil carbon, nitrogen and functionality in an Australian tropical catchment: a chronosequence approach. PLOS ONE, 9(8), e104198.
Gageler, R., et al. (2014). Restoring soil carbon, nitrogen and functionality in an Australian tropical catchment: a chronosequence approach. PLOS ONE, 9(8), e104198. Journal

Early Response of Soil Properties and Function to Riparian Rainforest Restoration - PMC

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Supporting Sources (4)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

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

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

View Source
Preview of Gregory, J. H., et al. (2006). Effect of urban soil compaction on infiltration rate. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 61(3), 117-124.
Gregory, J. H., et al. (2006). Effect of urban soil compaction on infiltration rate. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 61(3), 117-124.
Direct Evidence Journal

Gregory, J. H., et al. (2006). Effect of urban soil compaction on infiltration rate. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 61(3), 117-124.

View Source
Preview of NSW Local Land Services. (2021). Healthy soils and water infiltration in the paddock.
NSW Local Land Services. (2021). Healthy soils and water infiltration in the paddock.
Direct Evidence

NSW Local Land Services. (2021). Healthy soils and water infiltration in the paddock.

View Source
Preview of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. (n.d.). Soil Quality Indicators: Infiltration.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. (n.d.). Soil Quality Indicators: Infiltration.
Contextual Support Journal

Grey Box (Eucalyptus microcarpa) Grassy Woodlands and Derived Native Grasslands of South-eastern Australia, accessed August 11, 2025

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Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands
  • Land Use Production Forestry
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 19 Mar 2026

Notes

Lower Critical Threshold: <30 mm/hr indicates hydrological dysfunction due to compaction. No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always better up to natural saturation. This value represents the best-available-condition proxy for a high-functioning forest ecosystem.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TMI-FOR-SWI family.

30 mm/hr Moderate
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference
LowerThreshold Active v1
20.3 mm/hr Low
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference
MinimumOnly Active v1
796 mm/hr Low
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference
Point Active v1