Soil Structure & Compaction

AUS-TDG-AGR-SSC General Low confidence

Benchmark Value

2000 kPa
Direction: Lower is desirable ↓
Form: MinimumOnly

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

A lower critical threshold, where ecological function and sustainability are significantly compromised, is identified as PR values consistently > 2000-2500 kPa.

Metric Definition:

Soil penetrometer resistance (PR) indicating soil compaction levels that impair root growth and ecological function.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark marks the minimum soil penetrometer resistance above which soil compaction severely restricts root growth and impairs ecological function in agricultural soils of the Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands biome.

Justification:

Based on established soil science literature indicating root growth restriction and ecological impairment at these PR levels.

Sources (1)

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

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

View Source

Supporting Sources (9)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Determining reference conditions for management and ...
(PDF) Determining reference conditions for management and ...
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

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

View Source
Preview of (PDF) Determining reference conditions for management and ..., accessed August 5, 2025,
(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

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

View Source
Preview of Living soils in agriculture | TERN Australia, accessed July 25, 2025,
Living soils in agriculture | TERN Australia, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

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

View Source
Preview of Soil compaction - Queensland Government publications, accessed August 2, 2025,
Soil compaction - Queensland Government publications, accessed August 2, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Deep roots and soil structure - PMC - PubMed Central

View Source
Preview of Soil compaction | Environment, land and water | Queensland Government, accessed August 4, 2025,
Soil compaction | Environment, land and water | Queensland Government, accessed August 4, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Soil Management for Sustainable Agriculture - MDPI

View Source
Preview of Soil Structural Quality and Relationships With Root Properties in Single and Integrated Farming Systems - Frontiers
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 DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 7 Jun 2026

Notes

Upper Critical Threshold: 2500 kPa. This threshold marks significant compaction problems in agricultural soils, with severe root restriction and impaired water and nutrient uptake. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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

1000 kPa Low
Agricultural Crop Production · Not Stated
MaximumOnly Active v1
— kPa Low
Agricultural Crop Production · Not Stated
OptimalRange Active v1