Soil Water Infiltration Rate

AUS-AMR-AGR-SWI General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

10 mm/hr

Direction: Higher is desirable ↑

Form: MinimumOnly

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 11 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 10 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

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

Evidence & Context

The formation of a surface crust on bare, untilled soil limited the steady-state infiltration rate to approximately 10 mm/hr. Below this rate, runoff becomes a direct function of rainfall intensity.

Metric Definition:

Steady-state soil water infiltration rate below which hydrological function fails.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the lower critical threshold for soil water infiltration rate indicating system failure in the Australian Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands biome.

Justification:

This threshold is supported by multiple studies and baseline measurements at degraded sites, indicating severe ecological and agronomic consequences below this rate.

Sources (2)

Preview of Comparing infiltration rates in soils managed with conventional and alternative farming methods: A meta-analysis, accessed July 6, 2025,

Comparing infiltration rates in soils managed with conventional and alternative farming methods: A meta-analysis, accessed July 6, 2025, Journal

Chapter 7 Nutrient Leaching - SIPS Soil & Crop Sciences Section

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Preview of Report on the Condition of Agricultural Land in South Australia - Department for Environment and Water

Report on the Condition of Agricultural Land in South Australia - Department for Environment and Water Journal

Rainfall infiltration and runoff from an Alfisol in semi-arid tropical India. I. No-till systems1

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Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Comparing infiltration rates in soils managed with conventional and alternative farming methods: A meta-analysis

Contextual Support Journal

Comparing infiltration rates in soils managed with conventional and alternative farming methods: A meta-analysis

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Water ponding for pastoral production in central Australia

Direct Evidence Journal

Infiltration.pdf - Natural Resources Conservation Service

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Context

Region Australia
Biome Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands
Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 4 Jun 2026

Notes

Below this infiltration rate, runoff and erosion dominate, leading to system degradation and desertification. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-AMR-AGR-SWI family.