Soil Water Infiltration Rate

AUS-TSR-LVG-SWI General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

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

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

In this high-rainfall biome, infiltration rates >30-40 mm/hr, particularly on sandy soils, may lead to excessive nutrient leaching (N, P), representing an economic loss and environmental risk.

Metric Definition:

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

Benchmark Definition:

Upper detrimental threshold above which infiltration may cause nutrient leaching and environmental harm.

Justification:

Represents a risk-based concept where infiltration rates above this level may lead to nutrient leaching and economic loss.

Sources (1)

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 Journal

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

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 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 specific to sandy soils in high-rainfall environments.

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
1 mm/hr Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Pristine Reference
LowerThreshold Active v1