Soil Moisture

AUS-TSW-CON-SMO General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 15 to 25 %
Thresholds: Lower: 15, Upper: —
Optimal Range: 15 to 25
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 2 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 1 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MinimumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

The benchmark for high environmental health is best represented as an optimal functional range, estimated for the topsoil (0-30 cm) to be between 15% and 25% VWC.

Metric Definition:

Volumetric Water Content (VWC) of soil moisture in the topsoil (0-30 cm)

Benchmark Definition:

The volumetric water content in the topsoil layer that supports optimal ecosystem function and positive carbon balance.

Justification:

Derived from literature describing the TERN Great Western Woodlands SuperSite and expert interpretation linking soil moisture to ecosystem carbon sink status.

Sources (1)

Preview of Great Western Woodlands SuperSite | Climate Change Impacts - TERN Australia, accessed July 10, 2025,
Great Western Woodlands SuperSite | Climate Change Impacts - TERN Australia, accessed July 10, 2025, GreyLiterature

URBAN FOREST STRATEGY - Your Say South Perth, accessed July 13, 2025

View Source

Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Management of excess water in duplex soils - ResearchGate
Management of excess water in duplex soils - ResearchGate
Contextual Support

Management of excess water in duplex soils - ResearchGate

View Source
Preview of Soil – the driver of carbon dioxide variability over Australia, accessed July 16, 2025,
Soil – the driver of carbon dioxide variability over Australia, accessed July 16, 2025,
Direct Evidence Government

Wired woodlands signal stress as climate dries - CSIRO, accessed August 28, 2025,

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands
  • 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

The range corresponds to periods when the ecosystem is a net carbon sink, supporting growth and regeneration. The upper detrimental threshold is defined by prolonged saturation conditions due to duplex soil structure.