Soil Water Infiltration Rate

AUS-TSR-LVG-SWI General High confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 20 to 30 mm/hr
Optimal Range: 20 to 30
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 2 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 1 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary UpperThreshold Guard

Evidence & Context

Sandy Loam 20 - 30 High Represents a well-structured coarse-textured soil with excellent porosity, achievable with management that builds organic matter and prevents compaction. 4

Metric Definition:

Soil water infiltration rate, the rate at which water enters the soil surface, measured in mm/hr.

Benchmark Definition:

Rate at which water enters the soil surface, influenced by soil texture and structure.

Justification:

Represents a well-structured coarse-textured soil with excellent porosity, achievable with management that builds organic matter and prevents compaction.

Sources (1)

Preview of Soil health for vegetable production in Australia - Department of Primary Industries, Queensland, accessed July 18, 2025,
Soil health for vegetable production in Australia - Department of Primary Industries, Queensland, accessed July 18, 2025, Journal

Healthy soils and water infiltration in the paddock - Local Land ...

View Source

Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Effects of soil degradation on infiltration rates in grazed semiarid rangelands of northeastern Patagonia, Argentina - project bedrock
Effects of soil degradation on infiltration rates in grazed semiarid rangelands of northeastern Patagonia, Argentina - project bedrock
Direct Evidence Journal

Effects of Grazing on Water Erosion, Compaction and Infiltration on Grasslands - MDPI

View Source
Preview of Nutrient surpluses in Australian grazing systems: management practices, policy approaches, and difficult choices to improve water quality - ResearchGate
Nutrient surpluses in Australian grazing systems: management practices, policy approaches, and difficult choices to improve water quality - ResearchGate
Contextual Support Journal

Nutrient surpluses in Australian grazing systems: management practices, policy approaches, and difficult choices to improve water quality - ResearchGate

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical & Subtropical Rainforests
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 20 Mar 2026

Notes

Benchmark values are stratified by soil texture to reflect inherent infiltration potential. Sandy Loam soils have the highest infiltration rates among the textures listed.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TSR-LVG-SWI family.

— mm/hr High
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Pristine Reference
OptimalRange Active v1
— mm/hr High
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Pristine Reference
OptimalRange Active v1
— mm/hr Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Pristine Reference
OptimalRange Active v1
5 mm/hr Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Pristine Reference
LowerThreshold Active v1
1 mm/hr Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Pristine Reference
LowerThreshold Active v1
30 mm/hr Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Pristine Reference
UpperThreshold Active v1