Soil Structure & Compaction

AUS-TSW-CON-SSC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

1500 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 10 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 9 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

A penetrometer resistance of 1,500 kPa (1.5 MPa) represents the lower critical threshold. At this level of soil strength, the root growth of some sensitive plants begins to be restricted.

Metric Definition:

Penetrometer resistance threshold at which root growth begins to be restricted.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the lower critical threshold of soil penetrometer resistance in temperate semi-arid shrublands and open woodlands under conservation, beyond which root growth of sensitive plants begins to be restricted.

Justification:

Established from literature indicating root growth restriction at this PR value.

Sources (1)

Preview of Controlled Traffic Farming | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed August 4, 2025,
Controlled Traffic Farming | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed August 4, 2025, GreyLiterature

high soil strength - fact sheet - Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC)

View Source

Supporting Sources (1)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Great Western Woodlands Soil Characteristic Data 2012 - 2014
Great Western Woodlands Soil Characteristic Data 2012 - 2014
Direct Evidence Government

Great Western Woodlands Soil Characteristic Data 2012 - 2014

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands
  • Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Vegetation Woodland
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

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

Notes

No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always worse beyond this point. Marks the onset of ecological stress where root growth of native flora begins to be restricted.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TSW-CON-SSC family.

2500 kPa Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Pristine Reference · Woodland
MaximumOnly Active v1