Soil Moisture

AUS-TGP-LVG-SMO General High confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 21 to 45 %
Optimal Range: 21 to 45
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: OptimalRange

Scoring Curve

Scoring curve unavailable

The scoring engine could not generate a curve for this benchmark context. The primary form is CompositeFramework, but the benchmark data may be missing required fields (e.g., optimal range bounds for an OptimalRange benchmark). This is typically a data quality issue in the benchmark pipeline.

Contributing Benchmarks

CompositeFramework Primary MinimumOnly Guard LowerThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard CompositeFramework Guard OptimalRange Guard

Evidence & Context

The benchmark represents the soil's functional capacity to store plant-available water, which is best defined by Field Capacity (FC), the upper limit of the optimal water range.

Metric Definition:

Volumetric Water Content (VWC) at Field Capacity (FC), the upper limit of the optimal water range.

Benchmark Definition:

The soil's functional capacity to store plant-available water, best defined by Field Capacity (FC), representing the typical volumetric water content range for soils in this biome under healthy grazing management.

Justification:

Field Capacity (FC) is an indicator of soil health and represents the maximum amount of water a soil can hold for plant use against gravity, making it a verifiable and repeatable benchmark across different sites.

Sources (1)

Preview of Modelling and prediction of soil water contents at field capacity and permanent wilting point of dryland cropping soils - ResearchGate, accessed July 19, 2025,
Modelling and prediction of soil water contents at field capacity and permanent wilting point of dryland cropping soils - ResearchGate, accessed July 19, 2025,

Modelling and prediction of soil water contents at field capacity and permanent wilting point of dryland cropping soils - ResearchGate

View Source

Supporting Sources (34)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Sustainable grazing systems for the Central Tablelands, New South Wales, accessed August 6, 2025
(PDF) Sustainable grazing systems for the Central Tablelands, New South Wales, accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) Sustainable grazing systems for the Central Tablelands, New South Wales, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of 7.10 Soil water storage, capacity, and fluxes - NIWA Client report, accessed August 6, 2025
7.10 Soil water storage, capacity, and fluxes - NIWA Client report, accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support Government

National-format soil and land attributes - Department for Environment and Water, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of A review of indicators and methods to assess biodiversity - FAO Knowledge Repository
A review of indicators and methods to assess biodiversity - FAO Knowledge Repository
Contextual Support Journal

Seasonal fine fuel and coarse woody debris dynamics in north Australian savannas, accessed May 16, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Above and below ground monitoring in the Rangelands - Soils For Life, accessed August 6, 2025
Above and below ground monitoring in the Rangelands - Soils For Life, accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Soil–Water Retention Curves Derived as a Function of Soil Dry Density - MDPI, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Australian Government Department of the Environment. (2016). Approved Conservation Advice (including listing advice) for the Natural Temperate Grassland of the South Eastern Highlands (EC 152).
Australian Government Department of the Environment. (2016). Approved Conservation Advice (including listing advice) for the Natural Temperate Grassland of the South Eastern Highlands (EC 152).
Contextual Support Journal

Natural grasslands on basalt and fine-textured alluvial plains of northern NSW and southern Qld, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Austrostipa - PictureThis, accessed August 6, 2025
Austrostipa - PictureThis, accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Austrostipa - PictureThis, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Chapter 9 AUSTRALIAN GRASSLANDS - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, accessed August 5, 2025,
Chapter 9 AUSTRALIAN GRASSLANDS - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Karst and agriculture in Australia - Digital Commons @ USF, accessed July 26, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Critical soil moisture thresholds of plant water stress in terrestrial ecosystems - PMC, accessed August 6, 2025
Critical soil moisture thresholds of plant water stress in terrestrial ecosystems - PMC, accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Critical soil moisture thresholds of plant water stress in terrestrial ecosystems - PMC, accessed August 6, 2025

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, Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 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, Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support

Ludwig, J.A., Bastin, G.N., Chewings, V.H., Eager, R.W., and Liedloff, A.C. (2005). Clearing savannas for use as rangelands in Queensland: Altered landscapes and water-erosion processes. Rangeland Journal, 27(2), 135-149.

View Source
Preview of Effects of Stock Grazing on Biodiversity Values in ... - ACT Government, accessed August 4, 2025
Effects of Stock Grazing on Biodiversity Values in ... - ACT Government, accessed August 4, 2025
Methodology Source Journal

Yellow Box – Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived ...

View Source
Preview of Environmental factors limiting the productivity of serradella in southern Australia Daniel Robert Kidd BSc (Biological & Env, accessed August 6, 2025
Environmental factors limiting the productivity of serradella in southern Australia Daniel Robert Kidd BSc (Biological & Env, accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Environmental factors limiting the productivity of serradella in southern Australia Daniel Robert Kidd BSc (Biological & Env, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Fact Sheet - Local Land Services, accessed August 6, 2025
Fact Sheet - Local Land Services, accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support

Fact Sheet - Local Land Services, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Global critical soil moisture thresholds of plant water stress - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed August 6, 2025
Global critical soil moisture thresholds of plant water stress - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Global critical soil moisture thresholds of plant water stress - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Global critical soil moisture thresholds of plant water stress - PMC, accessed July 19, 2025,
Global critical soil moisture thresholds of plant water stress - PMC, accessed July 19, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Modern Soil Moisture Monitoring for Drought Resilience, accessed May 11, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Grazing management of Australian native woody regeneration as an effective nature-based climate-change solution - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 10, 2025,
Grazing management of Australian native woody regeneration as an effective nature-based climate-change solution - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 10, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Boom and bust for biodiversity in arid Australia

View Source
Preview of Growth and Physiological Responses of Temperate Pasture Species to Consecutive Heat and Drought Stresses - PMC, accessed August 6, 2025
Growth and Physiological Responses of Temperate Pasture Species to Consecutive Heat and Drought Stresses - PMC, accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Growth and Physiological Responses of Temperate Pasture Species to Consecutive Heat and Drought Stresses - PMC, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of How do I manage waterlogging? - Soil Health Knowledgebase, accessed August 6, 2025
How do I manage waterlogging? - Soil Health Knowledgebase, accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support Government

How do I manage waterlogging? - Soil Health Knowledgebase, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Interpreting in situ Soil Water Characteristics Curve under Different Paddy Soil Types Using Undisturbed Lysimeter with Soil Sensor - 한국토양비료학회, accessed August 6, 2025
Interpreting in situ Soil Water Characteristics Curve under Different Paddy Soil Types Using Undisturbed Lysimeter with Soil Sensor - 한국토양비료학회, accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Soil Moisture Monitoring - Agriculture Victoria, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Natural grasslands on basalt and fine-textured alluvial plains of northern NSW and southern Qld, accessed August 12, 2025
Natural grasslands on basalt and fine-textured alluvial plains of northern NSW and southern Qld, accessed August 12, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Chapter 9 AUSTRALIAN GRASSLANDS - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, accessed August 6, 2025

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 Natural Temperate Grassland of the Southern Tablelands of NSW and the Australian Capital Territory. - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025,
Natural Temperate Grassland of the Southern Tablelands of NSW and the Australian Capital Territory. - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

The Impact of Tree Species on Microbial Community Structure and Soil Function on Forest Plantations in the Central Hardwoods Reg, accessed August 10, 2025,

View Source
Preview of NVIS Fact sheet MVG 19 6 Tussock grasslands, accessed July 16, 2025,
NVIS Fact sheet MVG 19 6 Tussock grasslands, accessed July 16, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Understanding soil pH, accessed August 28, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Pasture growth - MLA, accessed August 6, 2025
Pasture growth - MLA, accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Pasture growth - MLA, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Planning farm drainage | Managing wet soils | Dairy | Livestock and animals | Agriculture Victoria, accessed July 19, 2025,
Planning farm drainage | Managing wet soils | Dairy | Livestock and animals | Agriculture Victoria, accessed July 19, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Planning farm drainage | Managing wet soils | Dairy | Livestock and animals | Agriculture Victoria, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Plant available water capacity of dryland cropping soils in the south-eastern Australia - IUSS, accessed August 6, 2025
Plant available water capacity of dryland cropping soils in the south-eastern Australia - IUSS, accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Soil Quality Indicators - Natural Resources Conservation Service, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Plant available water capacity of dryland cropping soils in the south-eastern Australia, accessed August 6, 2025
Plant available water capacity of dryland cropping soils in the south-eastern Australia, accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Soil Water Holding Characteristics | UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

View Source
Preview of Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed August 5, 2025,
Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed August 28, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Regenerative Grazing: 3 Different Approaches - Shorthandstories.com, accessed August 5, 2025,
Regenerative Grazing: 3 Different Approaches - Shorthandstories.com, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Regenerative Grazing: 3 Different Approaches - Shorthandstories.com

View Source
Preview of Soil Moisture Monitoring - Dairy Australia, accessed August 6, 2025
Soil Moisture Monitoring - Dairy Australia, accessed August 6, 2025
Methodology Source GreyLiterature

Measuring Soil Water Potential with a Soil Moisture Content Sensor - Edaphic Scientific, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Soil moisture release curves—What they are. Why you need them. How to use them., accessed August 6, 2025
Soil moisture release curves—What they are. Why you need them. How to use them., accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Evaluation of Soil-Water Characteristic Curves for Different Textural Soils Using Fractal Analysis - MDPI, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Spring Pasture Management - Local Land Services - NSW Government, accessed August 6, 2025
Spring Pasture Management - Local Land Services - NSW Government, accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Spring Pasture Management - Local Land Services - NSW Government, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Waterlogged Soil Explained, accessed August 6, 2025
Waterlogged Soil Explained, accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Pastures and Climate Extremes: Impacts of Cool Season Warming ..., accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Waterlogging | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed July 19, 2025,
Waterlogging | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed July 19, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Waterlogging | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au

View Source
Preview of Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 5, 2025,
Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support

Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed May 19, 2025

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

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

Notes

The reference value ranges from ~21% for sandy loams to ~45% for clays. A site in high ecological health under best-practice regenerative grazing will have improved soil structure and organic matter, allowing it to more effectively capture and store water up to this potential.