Soil Water Infiltration Rate

AUS-TSW-FOR-SWI General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

10 mm/hr
Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 10
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: MaximumOnly

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 12 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 11 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary LowerThreshold Guard MaximumOnly Guard LowerThreshold Guard MinimumOnly Guard LowerThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard Point Guard Point Guard Point Guard OptimalRange Guard LowerThreshold Guard

Evidence & Context

For the temperate semi-arid biome, this threshold is defined at an infiltration rate of ≤ 10 mm⋅h−1.

Metric Definition:

Soil Water Infiltration Rate below which hydrological dysfunction occurs

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the critical infiltration rate threshold below which soil in the temperate semi-arid biome fails to perform essential hydrological functions, leading to degradation.

Justification:

An infiltration rate of ≤ 10 mm⋅h−1 is identified as a critical threshold for hydrological dysfunction, indicating very poor soil structure leading to runoff and erosion.

Sources (1)

Preview of Measuring the infiltration rate of water into soil using the ring ..., accessed July 6, 2025,
Measuring the infiltration rate of water into soil using the ring ..., accessed July 6, 2025, Journal

Condition states | Environment, land and water - Queensland Government

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Supporting Sources (3)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of A Comparison of Three Methodologies for Determining Soil Infiltration Capacity in Thicketized Oak Woodlands and Adjacent Grasslands - MDPI
A Comparison of Three Methodologies for Determining Soil Infiltration Capacity in Thicketized Oak Woodlands and Adjacent Grasslands - MDPI
Methodology Source Journal

Effects of soil degradation on infiltration rates in grazed semiarid rangelands of northeastern Patagonia, Argentina - Project Bedrock, accessed July 10, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Chapter 5 Soil crusting and sealing - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Chapter 5 Soil crusting and sealing - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Contextual Support Government

Chapter 5 Soil crusting and sealing - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

View Source
Preview of Chapter 7 Nutrient Leaching - SIPS Soil & Crop Sciences Section
Chapter 7 Nutrient Leaching - SIPS Soil & Crop Sciences Section
Contextual Support Government

Rangeland Soil Quality: Infiltration - Natural Resources Conservation Service, accessed July 10, 2025,

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands
  • Land Use Production Forestry
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

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

Notes

Below this rate, soil structure is considered very poor, leading to surface sealing, excessive runoff, and erosion, initiating land degradation.