Soil Structure & Compaction

AUS-TSR-AGR-SSC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

750 kPa

Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 750

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: MaximumOnly

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 MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

Therefore, a reference value of < 750 kPa is proposed as the benchmark for the best available condition.

Metric Definition:

Soil penetration resistance as a measure of soil compaction affecting root growth and ecosystem function.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the highest level of ecological health and function achievable within a productive, human-managed agricultural system in tropical and subtropical rainforests.

Justification:

This benchmark is derived from research on sugarcane in tropical systems, identifying 750 kPa as a penetration resistance level below which root growth is not restricted.

Sources (1)

High soil penetration resistance reduces sugarcane root system development Journal

High soil penetration resistance reduces sugarcane root system development

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Supporting Sources (4)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management in Victoria, accessed July 19, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Soil health: the foundation of sustainable agriculture - 2001 ...

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Soil compaction and controlled traffic considerations in Australian cotton-farming systems

Contextual Support Journal

Soil compaction and controlled traffic considerations in Australian cotton-farming systems

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Soil compaction and controlled traffic considerations in Australian cotton-farming systems - BioOne Complete, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Compendium of Smart Sugar Practices - Queensland Government

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TROPICAL SOILS | Terrain NRM, accessed July 16, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Water Retention - Oz Soils 4 - UNE, accessed May 11, 2025,

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical & Subtropical Rainforests
Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
Assessment Conservation Target
Evidence Type TargetCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 21 Mar 2026

Notes

The benchmark is indicative of the 'best available condition' achievable in permanent, un-trafficked growing beds of best-practice regenerative agricultural systems such as Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF), minimal tillage, and cover cropping.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TSR-AGR-SSC family.