Soil Structure & Compaction

AUS-TSR-LVG-SSC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 1000 to 2000 kPa
Optimal Range: 1000 to 2000
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: OptimalRange

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 8 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 7 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

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

Evidence & Context

A penetration resistance of 1000–2000 kPa therefore represents a limiting or marginal condition.

Metric Definition:

Soil penetration resistance (PR) quantifies the soil's mechanical strength or impedance, measured in kilopascals (kPa), representing the physical force a plant root must exert to penetrate the soil.

Benchmark Definition:

This range represents the transition zone where soil condition shifts from healthy to stressed, with root growth beginning to be impeded in tropical pastures.

Justification:

Multiple sources indicate root growth begins to be restricted above 1500 kPa, with some guidance suggesting 1000 kPa as a limiting threshold in topsoil.

Sources (1)

Preview of Compaction | VRO - Victorian Resources Online, accessed July 28, 2025,
Compaction | VRO - Victorian Resources Online, accessed July 28, 2025, Journal

Soil Compaction Explained - Soil Quality Knowledge Base

View Source

Supporting Sources (22)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Comparing the effects of continuous and time-controlled grazing systems on soil characteristics in Southeast Queensland - ResearchGate, accessed July 19, 2025,
(PDF) Comparing the effects of continuous and time-controlled grazing systems on soil characteristics in Southeast Queensland - ResearchGate, accessed July 19, 2025,
Contextual Support

Phosphorus Distribution in Soils from Australian Dairy and Beef Rearing Pastoral Systems, accessed July 18, 2025

View Source
Preview of (PDF) Impacts of soil damage by grazing livestock on crop productivity
(PDF) Impacts of soil damage by grazing livestock on crop productivity
Contextual Support Journal

Early Response of Soil Properties and Function to Riparian Rainforest Restoration | PLOS One - Research journals

View Source
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 ...
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

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

View Source
Preview of (PDF) The impact of deforestation and pasture abandonment on soil ...
(PDF) The impact of deforestation and pasture abandonment on soil ...
Contextual Support Journal

Influence of soil compaction by farm machinery and livestock on water infiltration rate on grassland - ResearchGate

View Source
Preview of Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management in Victoria, accessed July 19, 2025
Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management in Victoria, accessed July 19, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Soil health: the foundation of sustainable agriculture - 2001 ...

View Source
Preview of Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space for time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments - CSIRO Research Publications Repository
Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space for time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments - CSIRO Research Publications Repository
Contextual Support Journal

Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space for time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments - CSIRO Research Publications Repository

View Source
Preview of Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space for time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed July 18, 2025,
Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space for time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed July 18, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Case Study - Regenerative Rangelands - Landcare Australia, accessed July 23, 2025

View Source
Preview of Effects of soil degradation on infiltration rates in grazed semiarid rangelands of northeastern Patagonia, Argentina - project bedrock
Effects of soil degradation on infiltration rates in grazed semiarid rangelands of northeastern Patagonia, Argentina - project bedrock
Contextual Support Journal

Landscape rehydration and regenerative agriculture improves soil health, accessed July 23, 2025

View Source
Preview of Final report - MLA, accessed July 19, 2025,
Final report - MLA, accessed July 19, 2025,
Contextual Support

Queensland Government guidelines for grazing lands

View Source
Preview of Grazing systems – Recent Findings in Australia - Australian Rangeland Society -
Grazing systems – Recent Findings in Australia - Australian Rangeland Society -
Contextual Support Journal

Grazing systems – Recent Findings in Australia - Australian Rangeland Society -

View Source
Preview of INNOVATIONS FOR REGENERATIVE LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT - Soils For Life
INNOVATIONS FOR REGENERATIVE LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT - Soils For Life
Contextual Support Journal

INNOVATIONS FOR REGENERATIVE LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT - Soils For Life

View Source
Preview of Land Management Code of Practice - Sunwater
Land Management Code of Practice - Sunwater
Contextual Support Journal

Sustaining the Wet Tropics | Russell River Catchment

View Source
Preview of Managing Grazing to Restore Soil Health, Ecosystem Function, and Ecosystem Services - Frontiers, accessed July 30, 2025,
Managing Grazing to Restore Soil Health, Ecosystem Function, and Ecosystem Services - Frontiers, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space-for-time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments, Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 10, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Rangeland Soil Quality Compaction
Rangeland Soil Quality Compaction
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Rangeland Soil Quality Compaction

View Source
Preview of SOIL CARBON EDITION - North Central Catchment Management Authority, accessed July 28, 2025,
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
Preview of Soil compaction and the architectural plasticity of root systems - PMC, accessed July 22, 2025,
Soil compaction and the architectural plasticity of root systems - PMC, accessed July 22, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Soil compaction and the architectural plasticity of root systems - PMC, accessed July 22, 2025

View Source
Preview of Soil Health Assessment Part IV: Soil Penetration Resistance and ...
Soil Health Assessment Part IV: Soil Penetration Resistance and ...
Contextual Support Journal

Soil Health Assessment Part IV: Soil Penetration Resistance and ...

View Source
Preview of Soil management for dairy and beef cattle grazing
Soil management for dairy and beef cattle grazing
Contextual Support Journal

Soil Penetration Resistance and Sugarcane Rooting Under Subsuperficial Drip Irrigation Levels

View Source
Preview of Soil resistance to penetration and forage and root production at different grazing intensities
Soil resistance to penetration and forage and root production at different grazing intensities
Contextual Support Journal

Soil resistance to penetration and forage and root production at different grazing intensities

View Source
Preview of Sustainable and profitable grazing management in a highly variable environment‐evidence and insights from a long term grazing trial in northern Australia - UKnowledge, accessed July 25, 2025
Sustainable and profitable grazing management in a highly variable environment‐evidence and insights from a long term grazing trial in northern Australia - UKnowledge, accessed July 25, 2025
Contextual Support

July 2019 to June 2020 - Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan Action Report

View Source
Preview of Sustainable soil management in tropical agriculture - ResearchOnline@JCU
Sustainable soil management in tropical agriculture - ResearchOnline@JCU
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Regenerative agriculture in Australia: the changing face of farming - Frontiers, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of The impact of deforestation and pasture abandonment on soil properties in the wet tropics of Australia - ResearchGate, accessed July 18, 2025,
The impact of deforestation and pasture abandonment on soil properties in the wet tropics of Australia - ResearchGate, accessed July 18, 2025,
Contextual Support

Tool 6.7 Soil health benchmarks and guidelines for managing ..., accessed July 18, 2025,

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical & Subtropical Rainforests
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Not Stated
  • Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

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

Notes

In this range, pasture growth and resilience are likely compromised, especially during stress periods. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.