Soil Water Infiltration Rate

AUS-TSR-CON-SWI General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

1421 mm/hr

Direction: Higher is desirable ↑

Form: Point

Scoring Curve

Scoring curve unavailable

The scoring engine could not generate a curve for this benchmark context. The primary form is Point, but the benchmark data may be missing required fields (e.g., optimal range bounds for an OptimalRange benchmark). This is typically a data quality issue in the benchmark pipeline.

Evidence & Context

Within the remnant riparian rainforest sites, which represent a real-world example of high environmental health and ecological function, the measured mean water infiltration rate was 1421±995 mm/hr.

Metric Definition:

Soil water infiltration rate, the process governing the entry of water into the soil surface.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the rate at which water enters the soil surface in tropical and subtropical rainforest conservation areas, reflecting healthy soil physical structure and hydrological function.

Justification:

The value is derived from a peer-reviewed study conducted in protected subtropical rainforest on Ferrosol soils, representing the best available condition.

Sources (1)

Preview of Gageler, R., et al. (2014). Restoring soil carbon, nitrogen and functionality in an Australian tropical catchment: a chronosequence approach. PLOS ONE, 9(8), e104198.

Gageler, R., et al. (2014). Restoring soil carbon, nitrogen and functionality in an Australian tropical catchment: a chronosequence approach. PLOS ONE, 9(8), e104198. Journal

Early Response of Soil Properties and Function to Riparian Rainforest Restoration - PMC

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Supporting Sources (7)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

(PDF) Impacts of soil damage by grazing livestock on crop productivity

Direct Evidence Journal

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

View Source

Bioregions and EVC benchmarks - Environment, accessed August 5, 2025,

Direct Evidence Government

TASVEG VCA Manual: A manual for assessing vegetation condition in Tasmania, Version 2.0. Natural and Cultural Heritage, Department of

View Source

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

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

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

View Source

Early Response of Soil Properties and Function to Riparian Rainforest Restoration - PMC, accessed August 2, 2025

Direct Evidence Journal

Early Response of Soil Properties and Function to Riparian Rainforest Restoration - PMC, accessed August 2, 2025

View Source

Early response of soil properties and function to riparian rainforest restoration - PubMed, accessed August 2, 2025

Direct Evidence Journal

Early response of soil properties and function to riparian rainforest restoration - PubMed, accessed August 2, 2025

View Source

Runoff generation in tropical forests (Chapter 14) - Forests, Water and People in the Humid Tropics - Cambridge University Press

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Runoff generation in tropical forests (Chapter 14) - Forests, Water and People in the Humid Tropics - Cambridge University Press

View Source

Soil challenge - Method guides collection - v04 - partner ...

Contextual Support

Soils with low infiltration capacity - Minnesota Stormwater Manual

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Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical & Subtropical Rainforests
Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
Assessment Pristine Reference
Vegetation Forest
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 7 Jun 2026

Notes

The large standard deviation (± 995 mm/hr) reflects the heterogeneous soil structure (macropores) crucial for resilience. No upper detrimental threshold exists; higher rates are beneficial.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TSR-CON-SWI family.