Soil Water Infiltration Rate

AUS-TMI-FOR-SWI General Low confidence

Benchmark Value

20.3 mm/hr
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: MinimumOnly

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 sands, the steady infiltration rate is generally >0.8 in/hr, which is equivalent to >20.3 mm/hr.

Metric Definition:

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

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents a general baseline infiltration rate for sandy soils, indicating healthy, non-compacted conditions.

Justification:

This is a general baseline, not a site-specific benchmark derived from a reference ecosystem.

Sources (1)

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

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

View Source

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 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 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

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

Healthy, non-compacted sandy soils should have infiltration rates well above this value.

Related Benchmarks

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

1421 mm/hr Moderate
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference
Point Active v1
30 mm/hr Moderate
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference
LowerThreshold Active v1
796 mm/hr Low
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference
Point Active v1