Soil Moisture

AUS-TGP-LVG-SMO General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 21 to 45 % VWC
Optimal Range: 21 to 45
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 2 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 1 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary OptimalRange Guard

Evidence & Context

The benchmark represents the soil's functional capacity to store plant-available water, which is best defined by Field Capacity (FC), the upper limit of the optimal water range. The reference value is the typical Volumetric Water Content (VWC) at FC for soils in this biome, ranging from ~21% for sandy loams to ~45% for clays.

Metric Definition:

Volumetric Water Content (VWC) at Field Capacity (FC), representing the soil's functional capacity to store plant-available water.

Benchmark Definition:

Field Capacity (FC) is the maximum amount of water a soil can hold for plant use against gravity, forming the upper boundary of the optimal water range in Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains under Livestock Grazing & Pasture.

Justification:

Field Capacity is a standard soil science concept defined at a specific water potential (−10 kPa). It is an indicator of soil health and maximum potential water holding capacity, making it a verifiable and repeatable benchmark across different sites.

Sources (1)

Preview of Modelling and prediction of soil water contents at field capacity and permanent wilting point of dryland cropping soils - ResearchGate, accessed July 19, 2025,
Modelling and prediction of soil water contents at field capacity and permanent wilting point of dryland cropping soils - ResearchGate, accessed July 19, 2025,

Modelling and prediction of soil water contents at field capacity and permanent wilting point of dryland cropping soils - ResearchGate

View Source

Supporting Sources (34)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Sustainable grazing systems for the Central Tablelands, New South Wales, accessed August 6, 2025
(PDF) Sustainable grazing systems for the Central Tablelands, New South Wales, accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) Sustainable grazing systems for the Central Tablelands, New South Wales, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of 7.10 Soil water storage, capacity, and fluxes - NIWA Client report, accessed August 6, 2025
7.10 Soil water storage, capacity, and fluxes - NIWA Client report, accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support Government

7.10 Soil water storage, capacity, and fluxes - NIWA Client report, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of A review of indicators and methods to assess biodiversity - FAO Knowledge Repository
A review of indicators and methods to assess biodiversity - FAO Knowledge Repository
Contextual Support Journal

Comparison of grazed and cleared temperate grassy woodlands in eastern Australia: patterns in space and inferences in time - ResearchGate, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Above and below ground monitoring in the Rangelands - Soils For Life, accessed August 6, 2025
Above and below ground monitoring in the Rangelands - Soils For Life, accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Above and below ground monitoring in the Rangelands - Soils For Life, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Australian Government Department of the Environment. (2016). Approved Conservation Advice (including listing advice) for the Natural Temperate Grassland of the South Eastern Highlands (EC 152).
Australian Government Department of the Environment. (2016). Approved Conservation Advice (including listing advice) for the Natural Temperate Grassland of the South Eastern Highlands (EC 152).
Contextual Support Journal

Temperate Grasslands - Greening Australia, accessed August 11, 2025

View Source
Preview of Austrostipa - PictureThis, accessed August 6, 2025
Austrostipa - PictureThis, accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Austrostipa - PictureThis, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Chapter 9 AUSTRALIAN GRASSLANDS - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, accessed August 5, 2025,
Chapter 9 AUSTRALIAN GRASSLANDS - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

How Past Rainfall Shapes Australia's Dryland Ecosystems - Western Sydney University

View Source
Preview of Critical soil moisture thresholds of plant water stress in terrestrial ecosystems - PMC, accessed August 6, 2025
Critical soil moisture thresholds of plant water stress in terrestrial ecosystems - PMC, accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Critical soil moisture thresholds of plant water stress in terrestrial ecosystems - PMC, accessed August 6, 2025

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, Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 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, Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Ludwig, J.A., Bastin, G.N., Chewings, V.H., Eager, R.W., and Liedloff, A.C. (2005). Clearing savannas for use as rangelands in Queensland: Altered landscapes and water-erosion processes. Rangeland Journal, 27(2), 135-149.

View Source
Preview of Effects of Stock Grazing on Biodiversity Values in ... - ACT Government, accessed August 4, 2025
Effects of Stock Grazing on Biodiversity Values in ... - ACT Government, accessed August 4, 2025
Methodology Source Journal

Yellow Box – Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived ...

View Source
Preview of Environmental factors limiting the productivity of serradella in southern Australia Daniel Robert Kidd BSc (Biological & Env, accessed August 6, 2025
Environmental factors limiting the productivity of serradella in southern Australia Daniel Robert Kidd BSc (Biological & Env, accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Environmental factors limiting the productivity of serradella in southern Australia Daniel Robert Kidd BSc (Biological & Env, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Fact Sheet - Local Land Services, accessed August 6, 2025
Fact Sheet - Local Land Services, accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support

Fact Sheet - Local Land Services, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Global critical soil moisture thresholds of plant water stress - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed August 6, 2025
Global critical soil moisture thresholds of plant water stress - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Global critical soil moisture thresholds of plant water stress - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Global critical soil moisture thresholds of plant water stress - PMC, accessed July 19, 2025,
Global critical soil moisture thresholds of plant water stress - PMC, accessed July 19, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Global critical soil moisture thresholds of plant water stress - PMC, accessed July 20, 2025

View Source
Preview of Grazing management of Australian native woody regeneration as an effective nature-based climate-change solution - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 10, 2025,
Grazing management of Australian native woody regeneration as an effective nature-based climate-change solution - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 10, 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 - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed July 23, 2025

View Source
Preview of Growth and Physiological Responses of Temperate Pasture Species to Consecutive Heat and Drought Stresses - PMC, accessed August 6, 2025
Growth and Physiological Responses of Temperate Pasture Species to Consecutive Heat and Drought Stresses - PMC, accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Growth and Physiological Responses of Temperate Pasture Species to Consecutive Heat and Drought Stresses - PMC, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of How do I manage waterlogging? - Soil Health Knowledgebase, accessed August 6, 2025
How do I manage waterlogging? - Soil Health Knowledgebase, accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support Government

How do I manage waterlogging? - Soil Health Knowledgebase, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Interpreting in situ Soil Water Characteristics Curve under Different Paddy Soil Types Using Undisturbed Lysimeter with Soil Sensor - 한국토양비료학회, accessed August 6, 2025
Interpreting in situ Soil Water Characteristics Curve under Different Paddy Soil Types Using Undisturbed Lysimeter with Soil Sensor - 한국토양비료학회, accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Interpreting in situ Soil Water Characteristics Curve under Different Paddy Soil Types Using Undisturbed Lysimeter with Soil Sensor - 55c d6d 1a0 591 be44 8cc 559 68c, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Natural grasslands on basalt and fine-textured alluvial plains of northern NSW and southern Qld, accessed August 12, 2025
Natural grasslands on basalt and fine-textured alluvial plains of northern NSW and southern Qld, accessed August 12, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Chapter 9 AUSTRALIAN GRASSLANDS - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Natural Temperate Grassland of the South Eastern Highlands: a nationally protected ecological community - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025,
Natural Temperate Grassland of the South Eastern Highlands: a nationally protected ecological community - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Natural Temperate Grassland of the South Eastern ... - DCCEEW

View Source
Preview of Natural Temperate Grassland of the Southern Tablelands of NSW and the Australian Capital Territory. - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025,
Natural Temperate Grassland of the Southern Tablelands of NSW and the Australian Capital Territory. - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

NVIS Fact sheet MVG 19  Tussock grasslands, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of NVIS Fact sheet MVG 19 6 Tussock grasslands, accessed July 16, 2025,
NVIS Fact sheet MVG 19 6 Tussock grasslands, accessed July 16, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Understanding soil pH, accessed August 28, 2025

View Source
Preview of Pasture growth - MLA, accessed August 6, 2025
Pasture growth - MLA, accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Pasture growth - MLA, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Planning farm drainage | Managing wet soils | Dairy | Livestock and animals | Agriculture Victoria, accessed July 19, 2025,
Planning farm drainage | Managing wet soils | Dairy | Livestock and animals | Agriculture Victoria, accessed July 19, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Planning farm drainage | Managing wet soils | Dairy | Livestock and animals | Agriculture Victoria, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Plant available water capacity of dryland cropping soils in the south-eastern Australia - IUSS, accessed August 6, 2025
Plant available water capacity of dryland cropping soils in the south-eastern Australia - IUSS, accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Soil Quality Indicators - Natural Resources Conservation Service, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Plant available water capacity of dryland cropping soils in the south-eastern Australia, accessed August 6, 2025
Plant available water capacity of dryland cropping soils in the south-eastern Australia, accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Plant available water capacity of dryland cropping soils in the south-eastern Australia, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed August 5, 2025,
Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed July 20, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Regenerative Grazing: 3 Different Approaches - Shorthandstories.com, accessed August 5, 2025,
Regenerative Grazing: 3 Different Approaches - Shorthandstories.com, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Regenerative Grazing: 3 Different Approaches - Shorthandstories.com

View Source
Preview of Soil Moisture Monitoring - Dairy Australia, accessed August 6, 2025
Soil Moisture Monitoring - Dairy Australia, accessed August 6, 2025
Methodology Source GreyLiterature

Soil Moisture Monitoring - Dairy Australia, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Soil moisture release curves—What they are. Why you need them. How to use them., accessed August 6, 2025
Soil moisture release curves—What they are. Why you need them. How to use them., accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Soil moisture release curvesWhat they are. Why you need them. How to use them., accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Spring Pasture Management - Local Land Services - NSW Government, accessed August 6, 2025
Spring Pasture Management - Local Land Services - NSW Government, accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Spring Pasture Management - Local Land Services - NSW Government, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Waterlogged Soil Explained, accessed August 6, 2025
Waterlogged Soil Explained, accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Pastures and Climate Extremes: Impacts of Cool Season Warming ..., accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Waterlogging | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed July 19, 2025,
Waterlogging | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed July 19, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Soil Water - Tas | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 5, 2025,
Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 4, 2025,

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

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

Notes

The benchmark range corresponds to dominant soil types in the Temperate Grassy Woodlands and Plains biome, from sandy loams (~21%) to clays (~45%). It reflects the functional capacity of soils under best-practice regenerative grazing management.