Soil Water Infiltration Rate

AUS-TSR-LVG-SWI General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

30 mm/hr
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 2 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 1 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

In this high-rainfall biome, infiltration rates >30-40 mm/hr, particularly on sandy soils, may lead to excessive nutrient leaching (N, P), representing an economic loss and environmental risk.

Metric Definition:

Upper infiltration rate threshold beyond which nutrient leaching risk increases.

Benchmark Definition:

Upper detrimental threshold for infiltration rate indicating risk of nutrient leaching.

Justification:

Rates exceeding 30-40 mm/hr on sandy soils may cause nutrient leaching, an economic and environmental concern.

Sources (1)

Preview of Nutrient surpluses in Australian grazing systems: management practices, policy approaches, and difficult choices to improve water quality - ResearchGate
Nutrient surpluses in Australian grazing systems: management practices, policy approaches, and difficult choices to improve water quality - ResearchGate Journal

Nutrient surpluses in Australian grazing systems: management practices, policy approaches, and difficult choices to improve water quality - ResearchGate

View Source

Supporting Sources (3)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of A framework relating soil surface condition to infiltration and sediment and nutrient mobilization in grazed rangelands of northeastern Queensland, Australia | Request PDF - ResearchGate
A framework relating soil surface condition to infiltration and sediment and nutrient mobilization in grazed rangelands of northeastern Queensland, Australia | Request PDF - ResearchGate
Direct Evidence Journal

A framework relating soil surface condition to infiltration and sediment and nutrient mobilization in grazed rangelands of northeastern Queensland, Australia | Request PDF - ResearchGate

View Source
Preview of Effects of soil degradation on infiltration rates in grazed semiarid rangelands of northeastern Patagonia, Argentina - project bedrock
Effects of soil degradation on infiltration rates in grazed semiarid rangelands of northeastern Patagonia, Argentina - project bedrock
Direct Evidence Journal

Landscape rehydration and regenerative agriculture improves soil health, accessed July 23, 2025

View Source
Preview of Soil health for vegetable production in Australia - Department of Primary Industries, Queensland, accessed July 18, 2025,
Soil health for vegetable production in Australia - Department of Primary Industries, Queensland, accessed July 18, 2025,
Direct Evidence Journal

Understanding soil tests for pastures | Soil | Farm management ..., accessed July 18, 2025,

View Source

Context

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

Lifecycle

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

Notes

This threshold represents a trade-off point where higher infiltration may cause nutrient loss. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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

— mm/hr Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Not Stated
OptimalRange Active v1
— mm/hr Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Not Stated
OptimalRange Active v1
— mm/hr Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Not Stated
OptimalRange Active v1
— mm/hr Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Not Stated
OptimalRange Active v1
5 mm/hr Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Not Stated
MinimumOnly Active v1
1 mm/hr Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Not Stated
MinimumOnly Active v1