Soil Water Infiltration Rate
Benchmark Value
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 18 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 17 guard(s) constrain the result.
Contributing Benchmarks
Evidence & Context
An Optimal Range for SWIR in this context is proposed as 50 - 100 mm/hr, with the potential for rates to be even higher, approaching the natural saturation limits for specific soil types under excellent management.
Soil Water Infiltration Rate (SWIR) range indicating optimal soil hydrological function.
This benchmark defines the optimal range of soil water infiltration rates that support rapid water entry, minimize runoff and erosion, and promote good soil aeration and water storage in temperate dry woodlands and native grasslands under agricultural crop production.
The lower bound is anchored by observed rates in well-structured agricultural soils; higher rates are demonstrated by studies under conservation tillage and 100% surface cover.
Sources (2)
Effects of crop and pasture rotations and surface cover on rainfall infiltration on a Kandosol in south-west Queensland - ResearchGate
View SourceHealthy soils and water infiltration in the paddock - Local Land Services - NSW Government
View SourceSupporting Sources (2)
Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.
Farming for the future: optimising soil health for a sustainable future in Australian broadacre cropping - Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC)
View Source
Comparing infiltration rates in soils managed with conventional and alternative farming methods: A meta-analysis
View Source