Soil Moisture

AUS-TMI-FOR-SMO General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

35 %
Range: 33 to 40 %
Thresholds: Lower: 33, Upper: 40
Optimal Range: 33 to 40
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: Point

Scoring Curve

Scoring curve unavailable

The scoring engine could not generate a curve for this benchmark context. The primary form is CompositeFramework, but the benchmark data may be missing required fields (e.g., optimal range bounds for an OptimalRange benchmark). This is typically a data quality issue in the benchmark pipeline.

Contributing Benchmarks

CompositeFramework Primary OptimalRange Guard OptimalRange Guard LowerThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard CompositeFramework Guard Point Guard

Evidence & Context

A reference value of 35% VWC is proposed.

Metric Definition:

Volumetric Water Content (VWC) of soil, representing the percentage of soil volume occupied by water.

Benchmark Definition:

This soil moisture benchmark represents the volumetric water content indicating optimal soil biological function and environmental health in production forestry within the tropical and subtropical maritime islands biome.

Justification:

It is above the empirically determined physiological stress threshold of 33% VWC, ensuring plant function is not water-limited. It falls within the range associated with high soil biological activity and provides a buffer against drought stress and prolonged saturation.

Sources (2)

Preview of Soil moisture thresholds explain a shift from light-limited to water-limited sap velocity in the Central Amazon during the 2015-16 El Niño drought
Soil moisture thresholds explain a shift from light-limited to water-limited sap velocity in the Central Amazon during the 2015-16 El Niño drought
View Source
Preview of Threshold Responses to Soil Moisture Deficit by Trees and Soil in Tropical Rain Forests: Insights from Field Experiments | BioScience | Oxford Academic
Threshold Responses to Soil Moisture Deficit by Trees and Soil in Tropical Rain Forests: Insights from Field Experiments | BioScience | Oxford Academic Journal

Threshold Responses to Soil Moisture Deficit by Trees and Soil in Tropical Rain Forests: Insights from Field Experiments | BioScience | Oxford Academic

View Source

Supporting Sources (6)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION ON THE TIWI ISLANDS, NORTHERN TERRITORY: Part 1. Environments and plants, accessed July 30, 2025,
BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION ON THE TIWI ISLANDS, NORTHERN TERRITORY: Part 1. Environments and plants, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION ON THE TIWI ISLANDS, NORTHERN TERRITORY: Part 1. Environments and plants

View Source
Preview of Research and development investment delivering for Tiwi community
Research and development investment delivering for Tiwi community
Contextual Support Journal

Research and development investment delivering for Tiwi community

View Source
Preview of Tiwi Islands Indigenous Protected Area | Plan of Management 2023-2033, accessed July 30, 2025, ).pdf
Tiwi Islands Indigenous Protected Area | Plan of Management 2023-2033, accessed July 30, 2025, ).pdf
Contextual Support

Tiwi Islands Fire and Weed Management Plan 2021

View Source
Preview of Tiwi Plantation Corporation and Port Melville - Transparency Portal, accessed July 30, 2025,
Tiwi Plantation Corporation and Port Melville - Transparency Portal, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support

Forestry | Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

View Source
Preview of Tiwi Plantation Corporation and Port Melville - Transparency Portal, accessed July 31, 2025
Tiwi Plantation Corporation and Port Melville - Transparency Portal, accessed July 31, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Tiwi Plantation Corporation and Port Melville - Transparency Portal

View Source
Preview of Tiwi Tropical fire ants - CSIRO
Tiwi Tropical fire ants - CSIRO
Contextual Support Government

Tiwi Tropical fire ants - CSIRO

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands
  • Land Use Production Forestry
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 25 Mar 2026

Notes

Lower Critical Threshold: 33 %. Upper Detrimental Threshold: 40 %. Optimal Range: 33-40 % supports non-limited plant growth and high soil biological activity.