Soil Water Infiltration Rate

AUS-TSR-AGR-SWI General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

10 mm/hr
Thresholds: Lower: 10, 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. The scoring engine uses 18 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 17 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

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

Evidence & Context

A simple, field-testable rate of 10 mm/hr (equivalent to a 1 mm drop in water level in an infiltrometer ring over 6 minutes) can be considered a critical lower threshold.

Metric Definition:

Lower critical threshold for soil water infiltration rate indicating hydrological dysfunction.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the minimum soil water infiltration rate below which hydrological dysfunction occurs, characterized by surface ponding, runoff, erosion, and poor plant water availability in tropical and subtropical rainforest agricultural systems.

Justification:

Rates below this level indicate significant compaction and structural degradation, representing a state of hydrological dysfunction that is unsustainable for productive agriculture in the wet tropics.

Sources (1)

Preview of supporting sustainable development - risks and impacts of plant ...
supporting sustainable development - risks and impacts of plant ... Journal

Queensland Murray-Darling Freshwater Biogeographic Province ..., accessed July 21, 2025

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Supporting Sources (17)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Australia state of the environment 2021: land, accessed May 11, 2025
Australia state of the environment 2021: land, accessed May 11, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Management Standards and Procedures for timber harvesting operations in Victoria’s State forests

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Preview of Avocado growing - NSW Department of Primary Industries
Avocado growing - NSW Department of Primary Industries
Contextual Support Journal

Avocado growing - NSW Department of Primary Industries

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Preview of Inherent Factors Affecting Soil Infiltration Infiltration Management - USDA, accessed July 6, 2025,
Inherent Factors Affecting Soil Infiltration Infiltration Management - USDA, accessed July 6, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Inherent Factors Affecting Soil Infiltration Infiltration ... - USDA

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Preview of Macadamia Grower guide has the answers - Australian Tree Crop Magazine
Macadamia Grower guide has the answers - Australian Tree Crop Magazine
Contextual Support Journal

Macadamia Grower guide has the answers - Australian Tree Crop Magazine

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Preview of Macadamia grower's guide 2022 - nutrition and soil health – part 1: the foundations - NSW Department of Primary Industries
Macadamia grower's guide 2022 - nutrition and soil health – part 1: the foundations - NSW Department of Primary Industries
Contextual Support Journal

Macadamia Tree Yield Article by Australian Premium Macadamias, accessed July 16, 2025,

View Source
Preview of PO 11.1 Soil Infiltration - Northeast Region Certified Crop Adviser (NRCCA) Study Resources, accessed July 6, 2025,
PO 11.1 Soil Infiltration - Northeast Region Certified Crop Adviser (NRCCA) Study Resources, accessed July 6, 2025,
Methodology Source GreyLiterature

Infiltration.pdf - Natural Resources Conservation Service

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Preview of Rangeland Soil Quality: Infiltration - Natural Resources Conservation Service
Rangeland Soil Quality: Infiltration - Natural Resources Conservation Service
Contextual Support Journal

Rangeland Soil Quality: Infiltration - Natural Resources Conservation Service

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Preview of Rangeland Soil Quality: Infiltration - Natural Resources Conservation Service, accessed July 6, 2025,
Rangeland Soil Quality: Infiltration - Natural Resources Conservation Service, accessed July 6, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Infiltration.pdf - Natural Resources Conservation Service, accessed August 11, 2025

View Source
Preview of Regenerative farming practices to improve Great Barrier Reef water quality - Australian Circular Economy Hub, accessed July 18, 2025,
Regenerative farming practices to improve Great Barrier Reef water quality - Australian Circular Economy Hub, accessed July 18, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

GROWER CASE STUDY ON ECONOMICS OF AN IMPROVED ...

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Preview of Soil challenge - Method guides collection - v04 - partner ...
Soil challenge - Method guides collection - v04 - partner ...
Irrelevant

Soils with low infiltration capacity - Minnesota Stormwater Manual

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Preview of SOIL HASH 1 MANUAL - Healthy Estuaries WA
SOIL HASH 1 MANUAL - Healthy Estuaries WA
Methodology Source Journal

SOIL HASH 1 MANUAL - Healthy Estuaries WA

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Preview of Soil Health AssessmentGuide - Soils For Life
Soil Health AssessmentGuide - Soils For Life
Contextual Support

Comparing infiltration rates in soils managed with conventional and alternative farming methods: A meta-analysis

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Preview of Soil Research - CSIRO PUBLISHING
Soil Research - CSIRO PUBLISHING
Contextual Support Journal

Soil Research - CSIRO PUBLISHING

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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,

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Preview of The relationships between land management practices and soil condition and the quality of ecosystem services delivered from agri - DAFF, accessed July 22, 2025,
The relationships between land management practices and soil condition and the quality of ecosystem services delivered from agri - DAFF, accessed July 22, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Maintaining groundcover to reduce erosion and sustain production - NSW Department of Primary Industries

View Source
Preview of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. (n.d.). Soil Quality Indicators: Infiltration.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. (n.d.). Soil Quality Indicators: Infiltration.
Contextual Support Journal

Grey Box (Eucalyptus microcarpa) Grassy Woodlands and Derived Native Grasslands of South-eastern Australia, accessed August 11, 2025

View Source
Preview of Water and Nitrogen Balance in Natural and Agricultural Systems in the Wet Tropics of North Queensland: A Review - Australian Banana Growers' Council, accessed July 18, 2025,
Water and Nitrogen Balance in Natural and Agricultural Systems in the Wet Tropics of North Queensland: A Review - Australian Banana Growers' Council, accessed July 18, 2025,
Contextual Support

(PDF) The impact of deforestation and pasture abandonment on soil ...

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical & Subtropical Rainforests
  • Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 22 Mar 2026

Notes

Represents a state of hydrological dysfunction. Characterized by significant surface ponding, chronic runoff, soil erosion, poor soil aeration, and compromised plant water availability.

Related Benchmarks

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

3500 mm/hr Moderate
Agricultural Crop Production · Pristine Reference
UpperThreshold Active v1
— mm/hr Moderate
Agricultural Crop Production · Pristine Reference
OptimalRange Active v1