Soil Water Infiltration Rate

AUS-AMR-FOR-SWI General Low confidence

Benchmark Value

15 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 6 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 5 guard(s) constrain the result.

Evidence & Context

Therefore, a steady-state infiltration rate below 15 mm/hr is considered indicative of a critically degraded condition for this land use and biome.

Metric Definition:

Steady-state soil water infiltration rate below which the ecosystem is significantly compromised.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark sets the minimum steady-state soil water infiltration rate below which the ecosystem function is critically degraded in production forestry within arid mountain ranges and uplands.

Justification:

Based on evidence from degraded systems including bare soils and unponded clay soils, infiltration rates below this value lead to increased runoff, erosion, and reduced water availability.

Sources (1)

Preview of Water Infiltration Rates into Unponded and Ponded Soils in Central ..., accessed July 30, 2025
Water Infiltration Rates into Unponded and Ponded Soils in Central ..., accessed July 30, 2025 Government

Water Infiltration Rates into Unponded and Ponded Soils in Central ...

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Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands
  • Land Use Production Forestry
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 4 Jun 2026

Notes

Such low rates are inconsistent with ecologically sustainable forestry and indicate compromised hydrological function.

Related Benchmarks

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