Soil Water Infiltration Rate

AUS-TGP-CON-SWI General High confidence

Benchmark Value

150 mm/hr
Range: 25 to 150 mm/hr
Optimal Range: 25 to 150
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: Point

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 3 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 2 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary Point Guard MinimumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

On fine-textured soils, the steady-state infiltration rate measured under the canopies of mature eucalypt trees averaged nearly 150 mm/hr.

Metric Definition:

Steady-state soil water infiltration rate under mature eucalypt canopies on fine-textured soils (loam to clay loams)

Benchmark Definition:

The steady-state infiltration rate under mature eucalypt canopies representing the highest level of ecosystem function in temperate grassy woodlands.

Justification:

This value is proposed as the benchmark for the highest achievable ecological health based on direct measurements in the target biome and land use context.

Sources (1)

Preview of Ecosystem wicks: Woodland trees enhance water infiltration in a fragmented agricultural landscape in eastern Australia
Ecosystem wicks: Woodland trees enhance water infiltration in a fragmented agricultural landscape in eastern Australia Journal

Ecosystem wicks: Woodland trees enhance water infiltration in a fragmented agricultural landscape in eastern Australia

View Source

Supporting Sources (17)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Restoring ecological function in temperate grassy woodlands - manipulating soil nutrients, annual exotics and native perennial grasses through carbon supplements and spring burns - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,
(PDF) Restoring ecological function in temperate grassy woodlands - manipulating soil nutrients, annual exotics and native perennial grasses through carbon supplements and spring burns - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support

Stormwater Management in Western Washington, accessed August 11, 2025

View Source
Preview of A guide to managing Box Gum Grassy Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 4, 2025
A guide to managing Box Gum Grassy Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 4, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Soil moisture release curves—What they are. Why you need them. How to use them., accessed May 15, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Diversity and abundance of biological soil crust taxa in relation to fine and coarse-scale disturbances in a grassy eucalypt woo, accessed August 11, 2025
Diversity and abundance of biological soil crust taxa in relation to fine and coarse-scale disturbances in a grassy eucalypt woo, accessed August 11, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Select Publications by Dr David John Eldridge | UNSW Research, accessed August 11, 2025

View Source
Preview of Environmental Stewardship - Box Gum Grassy Woodland Project - Information Booklet - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025,
Environmental Stewardship - Box Gum Grassy Woodland Project - Information Booklet - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Effects of Stock Grazing on Biodiversity Values in Temperate Native Grasslands and Grassy Woodlands in SE Australia: A Literature Review - ACT Government, accessed August 12, 2025,

View Source
Preview of How do fire regimes affect ecosystem structure, function and ..., accessed August 11, 2025
How do fire regimes affect ecosystem structure, function and ..., accessed August 11, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

How do fire regimes affect ecosystem structure, function and ..., accessed August 11, 2025

View Source
Preview of Identifying ecological barriers to restoration in temperate grassy woodlands: soil changes associated with different degradation states - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,
Identifying ecological barriers to restoration in temperate grassy woodlands: soil changes associated with different degradation states - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) Identifying ecological barriers to restoration in temperate grassy woodlands: soil changes associated with different degradation states - ResearchGate, accessed August 4, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Infiltration for Soil Quality | South Dakota Soil Health Coalition, accessed August 11, 2025
Infiltration for Soil Quality | South Dakota Soil Health Coalition, accessed August 11, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Infiltration for Soil Quality | South Dakota Soil Health Coalition, accessed August 11, 2025

View Source
Preview of Microsite and grazing intensity drive infiltration in a semi-arid woodland - ResearchGate, accessed August 11, 2025
Microsite and grazing intensity drive infiltration in a semi-arid woodland - ResearchGate, accessed August 11, 2025
Contextual Support

Soil condition | NSW State of the Environment, accessed July 10, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Modelling the Potential of Integrated Vegetation Bands (IVB) to Retain Stormwater Runoff on Steep Hillslopes of - UQ eSpace - The University of Queensland, accessed August 11, 2025
Modelling the Potential of Integrated Vegetation Bands (IVB) to Retain Stormwater Runoff on Steep Hillslopes of - UQ eSpace - The University of Queensland, accessed August 11, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Modelling the Potential of Integrated Vegetation Bands (IVB) to Retain Stormwater Runoff on Steep Hillslopes of - UQ eSpace - The University of Queensland, accessed August 11, 2025

View Source
Preview of National Recovery Plan for White Box–Yellow Box ... - DCCEEW, accessed August 11, 2025
National Recovery Plan for White Box–Yellow Box ... - DCCEEW, accessed August 11, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Approved Conservation Advice for the White Box - Yellow Box - Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland - DCCEEW

View Source
Preview of Natural Temperate Grassland of the South Eastern Highlands: a nationally protected ecological community - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025,
Natural Temperate Grassland of the South Eastern Highlands: a nationally protected ecological community - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Australia's Native Vegetation Framework - DAFF

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 Rehabilitation of Grassy Box Woodland –A ... - Whitehaven Coal, accessed August 11, 2025
Rehabilitation of Grassy Box Woodland –A ... - Whitehaven Coal, accessed August 11, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Rehabilitation of Grassy Box Woodland –A ... - Whitehaven Coal, accessed August 11, 2025

View Source
Preview of Response of Grazing Land Soil Health to Management Strategies: A Summary Review, accessed August 5, 2025,
Response of Grazing Land Soil Health to Management Strategies: A Summary Review, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Response of Grazing Land Soil Health to Management Strategies: A Summary Review

View Source
Preview of Soil Infiltration | Agronomic Crops Network - The Ohio State University, accessed August 11, 2025
Soil Infiltration | Agronomic Crops Network - The Ohio State University, accessed August 11, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Soil Infiltration | Agronomic Crops Network - The Ohio State University, accessed August 11, 2025

View Source
Preview of Soil Infiltration | Agronomic Crops Network - The Ohio State University, accessed July 6, 2025,
Soil Infiltration | Agronomic Crops Network - The Ohio State University, accessed July 6, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Farming and national environment law, accessed August 11, 2025

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

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
  • Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Vegetation Woodland
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

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

Notes

No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always better up to natural saturation. Lower Critical Threshold: 10 mm/hr. The lower critical threshold is ≤10 mm/hr, representing a functionally collapsed state typical of cultivated or highly compacted soils. An optimal range for a healthy, mosaic landscape is 25-150 mm/hr, encompassing values from intact perennial grasslands to woodland patches.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TGP-CON-SWI family.

10 mm/hr High
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Conservation Target · Woodland
MinimumOnly Active v1
— mm/hr High
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Conservation Target · Woodland
OptimalRange Active v1