Soil Water Infiltration Rate

AUS-TSR-LVG-SWI General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

1 mm/hr
Thresholds: Lower: 1, 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.

Evidence & Context

For fine-textured clay soils, where the best-case scenario is already low, a rate below 1 mm/hr would signify a critical state of degradation.

Metric Definition:

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

Benchmark Definition:

Critical lower threshold below which soil infiltration is insufficient to prevent runoff and erosion.

Justification:

Represents the point at which the soil can no longer absorb rainfall at a sufficient rate, causing runoff and erosion.

Sources (1)

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 Journal

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

View Source

Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

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
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,
Direct Evidence Journal

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

View Source

Context

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

Lifecycle

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

Notes

This threshold is supported by evidence showing infiltration rates in degraded pastures and sodic soils.

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 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
30 mm/hr Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Pristine Reference
UpperThreshold Active v1