Soil Water Infiltration Rate

AUS-TSW-FOR-SWI General High confidence

Benchmark Value

10 mm/hr
Direction: Higher 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 6 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 5 guard(s) constrain the result.

Evidence & Context

The lower critical threshold represents the point at which a soil's infiltration rate is so low that it fails to perform its essential hydrological functions, leading to a cascade of degradation processes.

Metric Definition:

Soil water infiltration rate below which hydrological dysfunction occurs.

Benchmark Definition:

Critical infiltration rate below which hydrological dysfunction occurs in temperate semi-arid shrublands and open woodlands under production forestry.

Justification:

This threshold is based on soil structural assessment guides that classify infiltration rates of 0-10 mm/hr as indicative of very poor soil structure.

Sources (2)

Preview of Measuring the infiltration rate of water into soil using the ring ..., accessed July 6, 2025,
Measuring the infiltration rate of water into soil using the ring ..., accessed July 6, 2025, Journal

Condition states | Environment, land and water - Queensland Government

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Preview of Soil condition | NSW State of the Environment, accessed August 10, 2025,
Soil condition | NSW State of the Environment, accessed August 10, 2025, Government

Analysing water sensitive urban design options - Australian Water Association

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Supporting Sources (3)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of A Comparison of Three Methodologies for Determining Soil Infiltration Capacity in Thicketized Oak Woodlands and Adjacent Grasslands - MDPI
A Comparison of Three Methodologies for Determining Soil Infiltration Capacity in Thicketized Oak Woodlands and Adjacent Grasslands - MDPI
Methodology Source Journal

A Comparison of Three Methodologies for Determining Soil Infiltration Capacity in Thicketized Oak Woodlands and Adjacent Grasslands - MDPI

View Source
Preview of Chapter 5 Soil crusting and sealing - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Chapter 5 Soil crusting and sealing - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Contextual Support Government

Chapter 5 Soil crusting and sealing - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

View Source
Preview of Chapter 7 Nutrient Leaching - SIPS Soil & Crop Sciences Section
Chapter 7 Nutrient Leaching - SIPS Soil & Crop Sciences Section
Contextual Support Government

Chapter 7 Nutrient Leaching - SIPS Soil & Crop Sciences Section

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands
  • Land Use Production Forestry
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

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

Notes

Below this threshold, soils are heavily compacted or crusted, causing runoff and erosion, initiating a negative feedback loop of degradation.