Soil Structure & Compaction

AUS-TSR-LVG-SSC General High confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 0 to 1000 kPa
Optimal Range: 0 to 1000
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 13 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 12 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MaximumOnly Guard LowerThreshold Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard LowerThreshold Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

The optimal functional state for tropical pastures, where root production is maximized, is a soil with a penetration resistance of < 1000 kPa.

Metric Definition:

Soil penetration resistance (PR) quantifies the soil's mechanical strength or impedance, measured in kilopascals (kPa), indicating the physical force a plant root must exert to penetrate the soil.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the optimal soil penetration resistance range for tropical pastures under livestock grazing, indicating minimal soil compaction that maximizes root growth and pasture health.

Justification:

This benchmark is derived from quantitative root growth data and supported by best-practice grazing management trials showing achievable 'no compaction' states.

Sources (1)

Preview of Soil resistance to penetration and forage and root production at different grazing intensities
Soil resistance to penetration and forage and root production at different grazing intensities Journal

Soil resistance to penetration and forage and root production at different grazing intensities

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Supporting Sources (22)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Comparing the effects of continuous and time-controlled grazing systems on soil characteristics in Southeast Queensland - ResearchGate, accessed July 19, 2025,
(PDF) Comparing the effects of continuous and time-controlled grazing systems on soil characteristics in Southeast Queensland - ResearchGate, accessed July 19, 2025,
Contextual Support

Phosphorus Distribution in Soils from Australian Dairy and Beef Rearing Pastoral Systems, accessed July 18, 2025,

View Source
Preview of (PDF) Impacts of soil damage by grazing livestock on crop productivity
(PDF) Impacts of soil damage by grazing livestock on crop productivity
Contextual Support Journal

Early Response of Soil Properties and Function to Riparian Rainforest Restoration | PLOS One - Research journals

View Source
Preview of (PDF) Improving soil physical fertility and crop yield on a clay soil in ...
(PDF) Improving soil physical fertility and crop yield on a clay soil in ...
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Dynamics of soil penetration resistance, moisture depletion pattern and crop productivity determined by mechanized cultivation and lifesaving irrigation in zero till blackgram - PMC - PubMed Central

View Source
Preview of (PDF) The impact of deforestation and pasture abandonment on soil ...
(PDF) The impact of deforestation and pasture abandonment on soil ...
Contextual Support Journal

Influence of soil compaction by farm machinery and livestock on water infiltration rate on grassland - ResearchGate

View Source
Preview of Compaction | VRO - Victorian Resources Online, accessed July 28, 2025,
Compaction | VRO - Victorian Resources Online, accessed July 28, 2025,
Direct Evidence Journal

Soil Compaction Explained - Soil Quality Knowledge Base

View Source
Preview of Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management in Victoria, accessed July 19, 2025
Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management in Victoria, accessed July 19, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

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

View Source
Preview of Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space for time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments - CSIRO Research Publications Repository
Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space for time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments - CSIRO Research Publications Repository
Contextual Support Journal

Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space for time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments - CSIRO Research Publications Repository

View Source
Preview of Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space for time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed July 18, 2025,
Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space for time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed July 18, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? - Great Barrier Reef Foundation, accessed July 28, 2025,

View Source
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
Contextual Support Journal

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

View Source
Preview of Final report - MLA, accessed July 19, 2025,
Final report - MLA, accessed July 19, 2025,
Contextual Support

Queensland Government target of 70% late dry season ground cover for grazing lands 13

View Source
Preview of Grazing systems – Recent Findings in Australia - Australian Rangeland Society -
Grazing systems – Recent Findings in Australia - Australian Rangeland Society -
Contextual Support Journal

Grazing systems – Recent Findings in Australia - Australian Rangeland Society -

View Source
Preview of INNOVATIONS FOR REGENERATIVE LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT - Soils For Life
INNOVATIONS FOR REGENERATIVE LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT - Soils For Life
Contextual Support Journal

INNOVATIONS FOR REGENERATIVE LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT - Soils For Life

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Preview of Land Management Code of Practice - Sunwater
Land Management Code of Practice - Sunwater
Contextual Support Journal

Sustaining the Wet Tropics | Russell River Catchment

View Source
Preview of Managing Grazing to Restore Soil Health, Ecosystem Function, and Ecosystem Services - Frontiers, accessed July 30, 2025,
Managing Grazing to Restore Soil Health, Ecosystem Function, and Ecosystem Services - Frontiers, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space-for-time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments, Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 10, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Rangeland Soil Quality Compaction
Rangeland Soil Quality Compaction
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Rangeland Soil Quality Compaction

View Source
Preview of SOIL CARBON EDITION - North Central Catchment Management Authority, accessed July 28, 2025,
SOIL CARBON EDITION - North Central Catchment Management Authority, accessed July 28, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Soil Compaction - Tas | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au

View Source
Preview of Soil compaction and the architectural plasticity of root systems - PMC, accessed July 22, 2025,
Soil compaction and the architectural plasticity of root systems - PMC, accessed July 22, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Great Southern Pasture - Bulk Density - 0 - 10 cm - Soil Quality

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Preview of Soil Health Assessment Part IV: Soil Penetration Resistance and ...
Soil Health Assessment Part IV: Soil Penetration Resistance and ...
Contextual Support Journal

Soil Health Assessment Part IV: Soil Penetration Resistance and ...

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Preview of Soil management for dairy and beef cattle grazing
Soil management for dairy and beef cattle grazing
Contextual Support Journal

Soil Penetration Resistance and Sugarcane Rooting Under Subsuperficial Drip Irrigation Levels

View Source
Preview of Sustainable and profitable grazing management in a highly variable environment‐evidence and insights from a long term grazing trial in northern Australia - UKnowledge, accessed July 25, 2025
Sustainable and profitable grazing management in a highly variable environment‐evidence and insights from a long term grazing trial in northern Australia - UKnowledge, accessed July 25, 2025
Contextual Support

July 2019 to June 2020 - Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan Action Report

View Source
Preview of Sustainable soil management in tropical agriculture - ResearchOnline@JCU
Sustainable soil management in tropical agriculture - ResearchOnline@JCU
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Regenerative agriculture in Australia: the changing face of farming - Frontiers, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of The impact of deforestation and pasture abandonment on soil properties in the wet tropics of Australia - ResearchGate, accessed July 18, 2025,
The impact of deforestation and pasture abandonment on soil properties in the wet tropics of Australia - ResearchGate, accessed July 18, 2025,
Contextual Support

Tool 6.7 Soil health benchmarks and guidelines for managing ..., accessed July 18, 2025,

View Source

Context

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

Lifecycle

  • Status Superseded
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 21 Mar 2026
  • Effective To 24 Mar 2026

Notes

No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always better up to natural saturation. Achieving this benchmark depends on management maintaining high ground cover and controlling grazing intensity.

Related Benchmarks

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

— kPa Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Pristine Reference
OptimalRange Active v2
— kPa High
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Pristine Reference
MaximumOnly Active v1