Soil Structure & Compaction

AUS-TDG-AGR-SSC General Low confidence

Benchmark Value

1000 kPa

Direction: Lower 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 14 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 13 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

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

Evidence & Context

The proposed reference value for soil penetrometer resistance, representing the "best available condition" under sustainable or regenerative agricultural crop production in this biome, is a target of < 1000 kPa, with an aspirational goal of achieving < 500 kPa in the topsoil (e.g., 0-15 cm or 0-30 cm depth).

Metric Definition:

Soil penetrometer resistance (PR) as a measure of soil mechanical impedance to root growth.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the maximum soil penetrometer resistance considered acceptable under sustainable or regenerative agricultural crop production in the Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands biome, indicating soil mechanical impedance to root growth.

Justification:

This value is derived from understanding optimal conditions for root growth and soil ecological functions, and is informed by the lower PR values observed in minimally disturbed native ecosystems within the target biome, serving as a benchmark for what regenerative systems should strive to achieve.

Sources (1)

(PDF) Determining reference conditions for management and ... GreyLiterature

(PDF) Determining reference conditions for management and ...

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Supporting Sources (9)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

(PDF) Determining reference conditions for management and ..., accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Effects of Stock Grazing on Biodiversity Values in Temperate Native Grasslands and Grassy Woodlands in SE Australia: A Literature Review - ACT Government

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(PDF) Improving soil physical fertility and crop yield on a clay soil in ...

Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

Soil Health Assessment Part IV: Soil Penetration Resistance and ..., accessed August 2, 2025

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Preview of Agronomic, Soil Quality and Environmental Consequences of Using Compost in Vegetable Production | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed May 10, 2025,

Agronomic, Soil Quality and Environmental Consequences of Using Compost in Vegetable Production | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed May 10, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Agronomic, Soil Quality and Environmental Consequences of Using Compost in Vegetable Production | Request PDF - ResearchGate

View Source

From soil health to agricultural productivity - University of Southern Queensland Repository, accessed May 10, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

From soil health to agricultural productivity - University of Southern Queensland Repository

View Source

Preview of Influence of tree species and forest land use on soil hydraulic conductivity and implications for surface runoff generation | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed May 10, 2025,

Influence of tree species and forest land use on soil hydraulic conductivity and implications for surface runoff generation | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed May 10, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Influence of tree species and forest land use on soil hydraulic conductivity and implications for surface runoff generation | Request PDF - ResearchGate

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Living soils in agriculture | TERN Australia, accessed July 25, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Living soils in agriculture | TERN Australia, accessed July 16, 2025,

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Soil compaction - Queensland Government publications, accessed August 2, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Deep roots and soil structure - PMC - PubMed Central

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Soil compaction | Environment, land and water | Queensland Government, accessed August 4, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Soil Management for Sustainable Agriculture - MDPI

View Source

Soil Structural Quality and Relationships With Root Properties in Single and Integrated Farming Systems - Frontiers

Contextual Support Journal

Soil Structural Quality and Relationships With Root Properties in Single and Integrated Farming Systems - Frontiers

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type TargetCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 7 Jun 2026

Notes

No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always worse beyond this point. The benchmark reflects the best available condition achievable under regenerative agricultural management in the Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands biome, avoiding theoretical minimums or pristine wilderness conditions. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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