Soil Structure & Compaction

AUS-TDG-FOR-SSC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 1500 to 1500 kPa
Thresholds: Lower: 1000, Upper: 2000
Optimal Range: 1500 to 1500
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: OptimalRange

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 13 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 12 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MinimumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard UpperThreshold Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard LowerThreshold Guard

Evidence & Context

It is suggested that in general harvested areas (i.e., excluding dedicated, heavily trafficked snig tracks and log landings, which under best practice are confined to a minimal portion of the coupe), a penetrometer resistance of <1000−1500 kPa in the upper soil profile (e.g., 0-30 cm) would represent a state of high environmental health.

Metric Definition:

Soil penetrometer resistance, measured in kilopascals (kPa), reflecting soil strength and its impediment to root growth.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the optimal soil penetrometer resistance range in the upper soil profile of temperate dry woodlands under production forestry, indicating soil conditions that support healthy root growth and water infiltration.

Justification:

Based on Rokich et al. (2000) data for analogous Australian sandy woodland soils and principles of minimizing compaction to maintain soil function.

Sources (1)

Preview of Rokich, D. P., Dixon, K. W., Sivasithamparam, K., & Meney, K. A. (2000). The impact of soil disturbance on root development in woodland communities in Western Australia. Australian Journal of Botany, 48(2), 169-183
Rokich, D. P., Dixon, K. W., Sivasithamparam, K., & Meney, K. A. (2000). The impact of soil disturbance on root development in woodland communities in Western Australia. Australian Journal of Botany, 48(2), 169-183 Journal

Rokich, D. P., Dixon, K. W., Sivasithamparam, K., & Meney, K. A. (2000). The impact of soil disturbance on root development in woodland communities in Western Australia. Australian Journal of Botany, 48(2), 169-183

View Source

Supporting Sources (24)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Compaction of forest soils with heavy logging machinery - ResearchGate, accessed May 15, 2025
(PDF) Compaction of forest soils with heavy logging machinery - ResearchGate, accessed May 15, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) Compaction of forest soils with heavy logging machinery - ResearchGate, accessed May 15, 2025

View Source
Preview of (PDF) Effects of soil treatments on the establishment of Acacia and Eucalyptus following gravel extraction - ResearchGate, accessed May 15, 2025
(PDF) Effects of soil treatments on the establishment of Acacia and Eucalyptus following gravel extraction - ResearchGate, accessed May 15, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

(PDF) Effects of soil treatments on the establishment of Acacia and Eucalyptus following gravel extraction - ResearchGate, accessed May 15, 2025

View Source
Preview of AUSTRALIA'S STATE OF THE FORESTS REPORT - DAFF, accessed July 12, 2025,
AUSTRALIA'S STATE OF THE FORESTS REPORT - DAFF, accessed July 12, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

The Influence of Compaction and Soil Strength on the Establishment of Four Australian Landscape Trees | Arboriculture & Urban Forestry, accessed May 15, 2025

View Source
Preview of Australian National Soil Archive - CSIRO, accessed July 30, 2025,
Australian National Soil Archive - CSIRO, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Australian National Soil Archive - CSIRO, accessed May 15, 2025

View Source
Preview of Bibliographies: 'Soil profile' - Grafiati, accessed May 15, 2025
Bibliographies: 'Soil profile' - Grafiati, accessed May 15, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Bibliographies: 'Soil profile' - Grafiati, accessed May 15, 2025

View Source
Preview of Compaction of Forest Soils. A Review, accessed May 15, 2025
Compaction of Forest Soils. A Review, accessed May 15, 2025
Contextual Support

Effects of organic matter removal, soil compaction and vegetation control on 10th year biomass and foliar nutrition: LTSP contin - USDA Forest Service, accessed May 15, 2025

View Source
Preview of FEM Incident Recording Form FORM DPaWFEMOOl Department of Parks and Wildlife Region - Parliament of Western Australia, accessed May 15, 2025
FEM Incident Recording Form FORM DPaWFEMOOl Department of Parks and Wildlife Region - Parliament of Western Australia, accessed May 15, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

FEM Incident Recording Form FORM DPaWFEMOOl Department of Parks and Wildlife Region - Parliament of Western Australia, accessed May 15, 2025

View Source
Preview of Impacts of Logging-Associated Compaction on Forest Soils: A Meta-Analysis - Frontiers, accessed July 11, 2025,
Impacts of Logging-Associated Compaction on Forest Soils: A Meta-Analysis - Frontiers, accessed July 11, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Compaction of forest soils. A review - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Soil ..., accessed May 15, 2025

View Source
Preview of Keith, H., et al. (2009). The impact of harvesting native forests on vegetation and soil C stocks and soil CO2, N2O and CH4 fluxes. Australian Forestry, 72(4), 183-194.
Keith, H., et al. (2009). The impact of harvesting native forests on vegetation and soil C stocks and soil CO2, N2O and CH4 fluxes. Australian Forestry, 72(4), 183-194.
Contextual Support Journal

INCREASED MECHANISATION AND SOIL DAMAGE IN FORESTS — A REVIEW - Scion Research, accessed May 15, 2025

View Source
Preview of Landscape Monitoring for Landscape Research | Landscape ..., accessed July 22, 2025,
Landscape Monitoring for Landscape Research | Landscape ..., accessed July 22, 2025,
Contextual Support

TERN Landscapes - Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, accessed May 15, 2025

View Source
Preview of logging and water - The Australia Institute, accessed July 31, 2025,
logging and water - The Australia Institute, accessed July 31, 2025,
Regulatory Framework Journal

Infiltration Characteristics of Soils Under Forestry and Agriculture in ...

View Source
Preview of Paper: Deep ripping after topsoil return affects root proliferation and floristic diversity in a restored biodiverse forest after bauxite mining - Australian Centre for Geomechanics, accessed May 15, 2025
Paper: Deep ripping after topsoil return affects root proliferation and floristic diversity in a restored biodiverse forest after bauxite mining - Australian Centre for Geomechanics, accessed May 15, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Paper: Deep ripping after topsoil return affects root proliferation and floristic diversity in a restored biodiverse forest after bauxite mining - Australian Centre for Geomechanics, accessed May 15, 2025

View Source
Preview of Private Native Forestry Code of Practice for Southern NSW - FAOLEX, accessed May 15, 2025
Private Native Forestry Code of Practice for Southern NSW - FAOLEX, accessed May 15, 2025
Regulatory Framework Journal

Natural Resources Commission (NRC) NSW. (2022). Final report: Private Native Forestry Review.

View Source
Preview of Private Native Forestry Code of Practice for Southern NSW - Local Land Services, accessed May 26, 2025
Private Native Forestry Code of Practice for Southern NSW - Local Land Services, accessed May 26, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Development of a RIS for variations to the Code of Practice for Timber Production 2014 - Victorian Government

View Source
Preview of Private Native Forestry information package - Sustainable Forest Management, accessed August 10, 2025,
Private Native Forestry information package - Sustainable Forest Management, accessed August 10, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

logging and water - The Australia Institute, accessed May 15, 2025

View Source
Preview of Private Native Forestry information package - Sustainable Forest Management, accessed May 15, 2025
Private Native Forestry information package - Sustainable Forest Management, accessed May 15, 2025
Regulatory Framework

The effects of drought and climate variability on Australian farms - DAFF, accessed July 12, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Recent advances in restoration ecology, with a focus on the Banksia woodland and the smoke germination tool - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Australian Journal of Botany, accessed May 15, 2025
Recent advances in restoration ecology, with a focus on the Banksia woodland and the smoke germination tool - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Australian Journal of Botany, accessed May 15, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Recent advances in restoration ecology, with a focus on the Banksia woodland and the smoke germination tool - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Australian Journal of Botany, accessed May 15, 2025

View Source
Preview of TERN Soil Data Federator - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed May 16, 2025,
TERN Soil Data Federator - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed May 16, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

TERN Soil Data Federator - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed May 15, 2025

View Source
Preview of The impact of harvesting native forests on vegetation and soil C stocks, and soil CO2, N2O and CH4 fluxes - ResearchGate, accessed May 15, 2025
The impact of harvesting native forests on vegetation and soil C stocks, and soil CO2, N2O and CH4 fluxes - ResearchGate, accessed May 15, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Compaction of forest soils with heavy logging machinery affects soil bacterial community structure | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed May 15, 2025

View Source
Preview of The Influence of Compaction and Soil Strength on the Establishment of Four Australian Landscape Trees | Arboriculture & Urban Forestry
The Influence of Compaction and Soil Strength on the Establishment of Four Australian Landscape Trees | Arboriculture & Urban Forestry
Contextual Support Journal

Australia's State of the Forests Report, accessed May 15, 2025

View Source
Preview of Understorey productivity in temperate grassy woodland responds to soil water availability but not to elevated [CO2 ] - PubMed, accessed August 9, 2025
Understorey productivity in temperate grassy woodland responds to soil water availability but not to elevated [CO2 ] - PubMed, accessed August 9, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) The impact of soil disturbance on root development in ..., accessed May 15, 2025

View Source
Preview of View of The distribution of fine root length density for six artificial afforestation tree species in Loess Plateau of Northwest China | Forest Systems, accessed May 15, 2025
View of The distribution of fine root length density for six artificial afforestation tree species in Loess Plateau of Northwest China | Forest Systems, accessed May 15, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Melding of research and practice to improve restoration of Banksia woodlands after sand extraction, Perth, Western Australia - ResearchGate, accessed May 15, 2025

View Source
Preview of www.environment.nsw.gov.au, accessed May 15, 2025
www.environment.nsw.gov.au, accessed May 15, 2025
Regulatory Framework

www.environment.nsw.gov.au, accessed May 15, 2025

View Source
Preview of www.forestsandreserves.vic.gov.au, accessed May 15, 2025
www.forestsandreserves.vic.gov.au, accessed May 15, 2025
Regulatory Framework Journal

www.lls.nsw.gov.au, accessed May 15, 2025

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
  • Land Use Production Forestry
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 24 Mar 2026

Notes

Lower Critical Threshold: 2000 kPa. Upper Detrimental Threshold: 2000 kPa. The benchmark range is significantly below the critical root-impeding threshold of 2000 kPa and aims to approach conditions of minimally disturbed native sandy soils. The concept of soil being too uncompacted to be detrimental is not supported in this context. [Migration] Original wider evidence range: 1000 – 2000 (retained OptimalRange: 1500 – 1500)

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TDG-FOR-SSC family.

2000 kPa Moderate
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference
LowerThreshold Active v1