Soil Moisture — Benchmark Detail - Nature Index

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 15 to 40 %

Thresholds: Lower: 5, Upper: —

Optimal Range: 15 to 40

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 7 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 6 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary Point Guard OptimalRange Guard LowerThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard OptimalRange Guard UpperThreshold Guard

Evidence & Context

The reference value represents the typical range of Field Capacity (FC) for the dominant soil textures (Sandy Loam to Clay Loam) in this biome under best-practice agricultural management.

Metric Definition:

Volumetric water content at Field Capacity (FC), representing the maximum amount of water a soil can hold against gravity, available to plants and microbes with sufficient aeration.

Benchmark Definition:

Field Capacity (FC) or Drained Upper Limit (DUL) is the soil moisture state representing optimal water availability and aeration for plants and microbes in temperate grassy woodlands and plains under agricultural crop production.

Justification:

Field Capacity is the point at which a soil holds the maximum amount of water that is readily available to plants and soil microbes, while simultaneously containing sufficient air-filled pore space for root and microbial respiration. It is enhanced by good soil structure and organic matter content resulting from best-practice regenerative management.

Sources (1)

Preview of Altered soil microbial community at elevated CO2 leads to loss of ..., accessed August 9, 2025

Altered soil microbial community at elevated CO2 leads to loss of ..., accessed August 9, 2025 Journal

ASSESSING STRATEGIC GRAZING EFFECTS ON IMPROVING, accessed August 9, 2025

Supporting Sources (39)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of 5. Field capacity (FC; a), permanent wilting point (PWP; b), and... | Download Scientific Diagram - ResearchGate, accessed July 7, 2025,

5. Field capacity (FC; a), permanent wilting point (PWP; b), and... | Download Scientific Diagram - ResearchGate, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

5.7 Calculating maximum plant available water of your rootzone - Soil Water Solutions, accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of A Health Check for our Agricultural Soils - Enviro Data SA, accessed July 16, 2025,

A Health Check for our Agricultural Soils - Enviro Data SA, accessed July 16, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Managing soils during and after drought in cropping systems - Fact sheet - Soil CRC

Preview of A review of soil waterlogging impacts, mechanisms, and adaptive strategies - PMC, accessed August 4, 2025,

A review of soil waterlogging impacts, mechanisms, and adaptive strategies - PMC, accessed August 4, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

The impact of soil water on soil constraints and crop growth - GRDC, accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of Accessing disparate soil data - TERN Australia, accessed August 4, 2025,

Accessing disparate soil data - TERN Australia, accessed August 4, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

ASRIS Soil Data Web API, accessed March 28, 2026,

Preview of An Updated Australian Soil Classification Map | TERN Australia, accessed on June 5, 2025

An Updated Australian Soil Classification Map | TERN Australia, accessed on June 5, 2025

Contextual Support Government

An Updated Australian Soil Classification Map | TERN Australia, accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of Australian Soils and Landscapes | Monitoring & Data | TERN - esoil.io, accessed July 30, 2025,

Australian Soils and Landscapes | Monitoring & Data | TERN - esoil.io, accessed July 30, 2025,

Methodology Source Government

Australian Soils and Landscapes | Monitoring & Data | TERN - esoil.io, accessed July 17, 2025,

Preview of Can soil organic matter be increased in a continuous cropping system in the low to medium rainfall zone? | Birchip Cropping Group

Can soil organic matter be increased in a continuous cropping system in the low to medium rainfall zone? | Birchip Cropping Group

Contextual Support

(PDF) Soil carbon dynamics under different cropping and pasture management in temperate Australia: Results of three long-term experiments - ResearchGate, accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of Chameleon soil water sensor - CSIRO, accessed August 4, 2025,

Chameleon soil water sensor - CSIRO, accessed August 4, 2025,

Methodology Source Government

Chameleon soil water sensor - CSIRO, accessed August 4, 2025,

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

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

Contextual Support Government

National Soil Strategy - DAFF, accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of Cover Crops for Sustainable Cropping Systems: A Review - MDPI, accessed July 23, 2025,

Cover Crops for Sustainable Cropping Systems: A Review - MDPI, accessed July 23, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Cover Crops for Sustainable Cropping Systems: A Review - MDPI, accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of Crops that perform well in waterlogged conditions – will that become a reality? - GRDC, accessed August 4, 2025,

Crops that perform well in waterlogged conditions – will that become a reality? - GRDC, accessed August 4, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Crops that perform well in waterlogged conditions – will that become a reality? - GRDC, accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of Estimating Plant Available Water Capacity - Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), accessed August 4, 2025,

Estimating Plant Available Water Capacity - Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), accessed August 4, 2025,

Contextual Support

Estimating Plant Available Water Capacity - Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of Grasslands and Grassy Woodlands of the VVP: Landholders Guide - Greening Australia, accessed August 11, 2025,

Grasslands and Grassy Woodlands of the VVP: Landholders Guide - Greening Australia, accessed August 11, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

www.greeningaustralia.org.au, accessed May 17, 2025,

Preview of Grassy eucalypt woodland of the Victorian volcanic plain - listing advice, accessed August 4, 2025

Grassy eucalypt woodland of the Victorian volcanic plain - listing advice, accessed August 4, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Grasslands and Grassy Woodlands of the VVP: Landholders Guide - Greening Australia, accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of Interpretation of Soil Moisture Content to Determine Soil Field Capacity and Avoid Over-Irrigating Sandy Soils Using Soil Moisture Sensors - UF/IFAS EDIS, accessed July 7, 2025,

Interpretation of Soil Moisture Content to Determine Soil Field Capacity and Avoid Over-Irrigating Sandy Soils Using Soil Moisture Sensors - UF/IFAS EDIS, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

7.10 Soil water storage, capacity, and fluxes - NIWA Client report, accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of Modern Soil Moisture Monitoring for Drought Resilience, accessed August 4, 2025,

Modern Soil Moisture Monitoring for Drought Resilience, accessed August 4, 2025,

Methodology Source Journal

Modern Soil Moisture Monitoring for Drought Resilience, accessed August 4, 2025,

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,

Preview of Plant Available Water Capacity – crop and varietal differences in soil water extraction, accessed August 4, 2025,

Plant Available Water Capacity – crop and varietal differences in soil water extraction, accessed August 4, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Plant Available Water Capacity – crop and varietal differences in soil water extraction, accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of Plant available water: How do I determine field capacity and permanent wilting point?, accessed July 7, 2025,

Plant available water: How do I determine field capacity and permanent wilting point?, accessed July 7, 2025,

Methodology Source GreyLiterature

A global dataset of remote sensing-based soil critical point and ...

Preview of PO 12. Know the relationship between soil water content, soil water tension and soil pore size and the following soil parameters (and qualitatively understand how these parameters vary for different soil types) and their relationships to plant growth and the fate and transport of nutrients and pesticides. - Northeast Region Certified Crop Adviser (NRCCA) Study Resources, accessed July 7, 2025,

PO 12. Know the relationship between soil water content, soil water tension and soil pore size and the following soil parameters (and qualitatively understand how these parameters vary for different soil types) and their relationships to plant growth and the fate and transport of nutrients and pesticides. - Northeast Region Certified Crop Adviser (NRCCA) Study Resources, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

PO 12. Know the relationship between soil water content, soil water tension and soil pore size and the following soil parameters (and qualitatively understand how these parameters vary for different soil types) and their relationships to plant growth and the fate and transport of nutrients and pesticides. - Northeast Region Certified Crop Adviser (NRCCA) Study Resources

Preview of Procedure for Soil Respiration (CO2 Evolution from Rewetting a Dried Soil) - Soil Fertility, accessed July 9, 2025

Procedure for Soil Respiration (CO2 Evolution from Rewetting a Dried Soil) - Soil Fertility, accessed July 9, 2025

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Soil pH and Organic Matter - MSU Extension | Montana State University, accessed July 28, 2025,

Preview of Processes underpinning natural capital account compilation highlight the potential for low-input grazing to mitigate farm carbon emissions while also improving biodiversity outcomes - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal, accessed August 12, 2025,

Processes underpinning natural capital account compilation highlight the potential for low-input grazing to mitigate farm carbon emissions while also improving biodiversity outcomes - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Vegetation change in an urban grassy woodland 1974–2000 - CSIRO Publishing

Preview of Processes underpinning natural capital account compilation highlight the potential for low-input grazing to mitigate farm carbon emissions while also improving biodiversity outcomes - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal, accessed August 4, 2025,

Processes underpinning natural capital account compilation highlight the potential for low-input grazing to mitigate farm carbon emissions while also improving biodiversity outcomes - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal, accessed August 4, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Processes underpinning natural capital account compilation highlight the potential for low-input grazing to mitigate farm carbon emissions while also improving biodiversity outcomes - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal, accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of Regenerative Agriculture - a literature review on the practices and mechanisms used to improve soil health - DPIRD's Digital library, accessed August 5, 2025,

Regenerative Agriculture - a literature review on the practices and mechanisms used to improve soil health - DPIRD's Digital library, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support

Regenerative Land Management - HEALTHY SOILS AUSTRALIA

Preview of Regenerative agriculture in Australia: the changing face ... - Frontiers, accessed August 4, 2025,

Regenerative agriculture in Australia: the changing face ... - Frontiers, accessed August 4, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Regenerative agriculture in Australia: the changing face ... - Frontiers, accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of Restore the Soil: Prosper the Nation, accessed August 4, 2025,

Restore the Soil: Prosper the Nation, accessed August 4, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Restore the Soil: Prosper the Nation, accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of Restore the Soil: Prosper the Nation, accessed May 11, 2025

Restore the Soil: Prosper the Nation, accessed May 11, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Snapshot of Australian Agriculture 2025 - DAFF, accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of Snapshot of Australian Agriculture 2025 - DAFF, accessed July 8, 2025

Snapshot of Australian Agriculture 2025 - DAFF, accessed July 8, 2025

Contextual Support Government

Snapshot of Australian Agriculture 2025 - DAFF, accessed July 23, 2025

Preview of Soil | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed August 3, 2025,

Soil | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed August 3, 2025,

Contextual Support

The effects of clipping frequency and nitrogen fertilisation on greenhouse gas emissions and net ecosystem exchange in an Australian temperate grassland - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal

Preview of Soil and Crop Management Practices to Minimize the Impact of Waterlogging on Crop Productivity - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed August 4, 2025,

Soil and Crop Management Practices to Minimize the Impact of Waterlogging on Crop Productivity - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed August 4, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Soil Infiltration | Agronomic Crops Network - The Ohio State University

Preview of Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia - CSIRO, accessed July 30, 2025,

Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia - CSIRO, accessed July 30, 2025,

Contextual Support

Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia - CSIRO, accessed August 1, 2025

Preview of Soil Quality Indicators - Natural Resources Conservation Service, accessed August 4, 2025,

Soil Quality Indicators - Natural Resources Conservation Service, accessed August 4, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Section 2.1.4.5 Modelling soil structure - ECMWF Confluence Wiki, accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of Soil Water - Tas | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed August 4, 2025,

Soil Water - Tas | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed August 4, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

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

Preview of ten key steps to conserving Australia's temperate eucalypt woodlands - the UWA Profiles and Research Repository, accessed August 4, 2025

ten key steps to conserving Australia's temperate eucalypt woodlands - the UWA Profiles and Research Repository, accessed August 4, 2025

Contextual Support

Sustainable forest management and the ecosystem approach - an Australian perspective, accessed August 10, 2025,

Preview of ten key steps to conserving Australia's temperate eucalypt woodlands - the UWA Profiles and Research Repository, accessed August 4, 2025,

ten key steps to conserving Australia's temperate eucalypt woodlands - the UWA Profiles and Research Repository, accessed August 4, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

SL450/SS664: The Importance of Soil Health for Residential Landscapes - UF/IFAS EDIS, accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of TERN Soil Data Federator - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed May 16, 2025,

TERN Soil Data Federator - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed May 16, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

TERN Soil Data Federator - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed May 15, 2025

Preview of Tool 6.7 Soil health benchmarks and guidelines for managing ..., accessed August 4, 2025,

Tool 6.7 Soil health benchmarks and guidelines for managing ..., accessed August 4, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Tool 6.7 Soil health benchmarks and guidelines for managing ..., accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of Understanding the impacts of farming practices on the soil microbiome as a sustainable approach to crop production. - CSIRO Research, accessed July 9, 2025

Understanding the impacts of farming practices on the soil microbiome as a sustainable approach to crop production. - CSIRO Research, accessed July 9, 2025

Contextual Support Government

Growing-season soil microbial respiration response to long-term no ..., accessed August 13, 2025,

Preview of Waterlogging in Australian agricultural landscapes: a review of plant responses and crop models - ResearchGate, accessed July 7, 2025,

Waterlogging in Australian agricultural landscapes: a review of plant responses and crop models - ResearchGate, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Manage wet soils – North East Victoria, Southern NSW and South West Victoria (Upper)

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 22 Mar 2026

Notes

Lower Critical Threshold: 5 %. No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always better up to natural saturation. The benchmark is texture-dependent, ranging from 15% in sandy loams to 40% in clay loams. Soil moisture sustained at or above Field Capacity is detrimental due to waterlogging and anoxia.