Soil Water Infiltration Rate

AUS-TSR-AGR-SWI General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

3500 mm/hr
Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 3500
Direction: Lower 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 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

Rates significantly exceeding 3500 mm/hr in fertilized systems increase the risk of nutrient leaching via macropore bypass flow, representing a point of diminishing returns.

Metric Definition:

Upper detrimental threshold indicating the onset of nutrient leaching risk due to high infiltration rates.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the maximum soil water infiltration rate above which nutrient leaching risk increases, indicating a 'leaky' soil condition in tropical and subtropical rainforest agricultural systems.

Justification:

While water capture is excellent, the risk of significant nutrient and chemical leaching below the root zone increases, potentially leading to economic loss and environmental contamination.

Sources (1)

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

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

View Source

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

View Source
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

View Source
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

View Source
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

View Source
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

View Source
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

View Source
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 ...

View Source
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

View Source
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

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

Soil Research - CSIRO PUBLISHING

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

Queensland Murray-Darling Freshwater Biogeographic Province ..., accessed July 21, 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
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 "leaky" soil condition where macropore bypass flow may dominate.

Related Benchmarks

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

10 mm/hr Moderate
Agricultural Crop Production · Pristine Reference
LowerThreshold Active v1
— mm/hr Moderate
Agricultural Crop Production · Pristine Reference
OptimalRange Active v1