Soil Water Infiltration Rate

AUS-TMI-LVG-SWI General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

100 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.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MinimumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

Therefore, a value of >100 mm/hr is selected as the benchmark representing a state of high ecological function.

Metric Definition:

Soil Water Infiltration Rate (SWIR) is the rate at which water enters the soil surface, measured in millimeters per hour.

Benchmark Definition:

The benchmark represents the minimum soil water infiltration rate indicative of high ecological function in well-structured soils under best-practice regenerative grazing.

Justification:

Derived from analogous tropical mainland grazing systems and fundamental soil physics principles, reflecting a state of high biomass and soil organic matter.

Sources (2)

Preview of The effect of soil and pasture attributes on ... - CSIRO Publishing
The effect of soil and pasture attributes on ... - CSIRO Publishing Journal

CSIRO (2016)

View Source
Preview of The effect of soil and pasture attributes on rangeland infiltration rates in northern Australia
The effect of soil and pasture attributes on rangeland infiltration rates in northern Australia Journal

The effect of soil and pasture attributes on rangeland infiltration rates in northern Australia

View Source

Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space-for-time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments, Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025,
Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space-for-time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments, Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Ludwig, J.A., Bastin, G.N., Chewings, V.H., Eager, R.W., and Liedloff, A.C. (2005). Clearing savannas for use as rangelands in Queensland: Altered landscapes and water-erosion processes. Rangeland Journal, 27(2), 135-149.

View Source
Preview of Norfolk Island Water Resource Assessment, accessed July 30, 2025,
Norfolk Island Water Resource Assessment, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Climate-Affected Australian Tropical Montane Cloud Forest Plants: Metabolomic Profiles, Isolated Phytochemicals, and Bioactivities - PubMed Central

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Not Stated
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 5 Jun 2026

Notes

Lower critical threshold is <20 mm/hr indicating compaction and surface sealing. No upper detrimental threshold identified; higher infiltration is functionally better for pasture health and drought resilience. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TMI-LVG-SWI family.

20 mm/hr Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Not Stated
MinimumOnly Active v1