Soil Water Infiltration Rate

AUS-TMI-FOR-SWI General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

30 mm/hr
Thresholds: Lower: 30, Upper: —
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: LowerThreshold

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 12 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 11 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

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

Evidence & Context

A lower critical threshold of <30 mm/hr is proposed. An infiltration rate below this value indicates that the soil is hydrologically dysfunctional.

Metric Definition:

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

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the infiltration rate below which soil is considered hydrologically dysfunctional due to compaction.

Justification:

Based on multiple land use contexts and evidence, infiltration rates below 30 mm/hr indicate severe soil compaction and hydrological dysfunction.

Sources (2)

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. 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.

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

View Source

Supporting Sources (3)

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 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.
Contextual Support Journal

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

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

View Source

Context

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

Lifecycle

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

Notes

Below this threshold, soil is considered hydrologically dysfunctional due to compaction, leading to significant runoff and erosion.

Related Benchmarks

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

1421 mm/hr Moderate
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference
Point 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