Soil Structure & Compaction

AUS-AIF-FOR-SSC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

3500 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.

Evidence & Context

At a penetrometer resistance of > 3,500 kPa, root growth "virtually stops". This represents a state of functional collapse for the soil's capacity to support vegetation.

Metric Definition:

Penetrometer resistance threshold indicating functional collapse of soil supporting vegetation.

Benchmark Definition:

System failure threshold in arid inland floodplains production forestry where root growth virtually stops.

Justification:

Defined by GRDC scale as the point of functional collapse for soil supporting vegetation.

Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

high soil strength - fact sheet

Direct Evidence

GRDC National Paddock Survey. Fact Sheet: High soil strength - Diagnosing soil constraints.

View Source

SOIL CARBON EDITION - North Central Catchment Management Authority, accessed July 28, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Soil Compaction - Tas | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed July 24, 2025

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Arid Inland Floodplains & Ephemeral River Systems
Land Use Production Forestry
Assessment Conservation Target
Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 2
Effective From 7 Jun 2026

Notes

This condition should be confined to heavily hardened infrastructure such as permanent roads.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-AIF-FOR-SSC family.