Soil Water Infiltration Rate

AUS-TMI-LVG-SWI General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

20 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.

Evidence & Context

Therefore, an infiltration rate falling below 20 mm/hr is considered a critical threshold where environmental health is significantly compromised.

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 lower critical threshold below which soil water infiltration is functionally impaired, indicating hydrological dysfunction.

Justification:

Based on empirical evidence from grazing trials showing infiltration rates <20 mm/hr correspond to degraded, compacted soils with accelerated runoff.

Sources (1)

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 (3)

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

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

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

Contextual Support Journal

CSIRO (2016)

View Source

Context

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

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 5 Jun 2026

Notes

This threshold marks the onset of significant ecological harm due to soil compaction and surface sealing. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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