Soil Moisture

AUS-TDG-LVG-SMO General Low confidence

Benchmark Value

27 % VWC
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

Topsoil moisture exceeding the Plastic Limit (PL), e.g., >27-30% VWC for some clay loams, indicates high risk of soil pugging and compaction.

Metric Definition:

Soil moisture volumetric water content (VWC) at the Plastic Limit (PL) indicating onset of soil pugging and compaction risk under grazing.

Benchmark Definition:

Upper soil moisture threshold beyond which soil structural damage occurs under grazing.

Justification:

This threshold is based on soil physical properties and observed pugging risk in clay loam soils.

Sources (2)

Preview of Pasture yield and soil physical property responses to soil compaction from treading and grazing — a review - ANU Open Research
Pasture yield and soil physical property responses to soil compaction from treading and grazing — a review - ANU Open Research GreyLiterature

Pasture yield and soil physical property responses to soil compaction from treading and grazing  a review - ANU Open Research

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Preview of What is pugging? | Pasture recovery after pugging damage | Managing wet soils | Dairy | Livestock and animals | Agriculture Victoria
What is pugging? | Pasture recovery after pugging damage | Managing wet soils | Dairy | Livestock and animals | Agriculture Victoria Government

What is pugging? | Pasture recovery after pugging damage | Managing wet soils | Dairy | Livestock and animals | Agriculture Victoria

View Source

Supporting Sources (4)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Do regenerative grazing management practices ... - CSIRO Publishing, accessed May 12, 2025
Do regenerative grazing management practices ... - CSIRO Publishing, accessed May 12, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Investigating Intensive Grazing Systems in Northern Australia

View Source
Preview of Global critical soil moisture thresholds of plant water stress - ResearchGate, accessed August 28, 2025
Global critical soil moisture thresholds of plant water stress - ResearchGate, accessed August 28, 2025
Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

Soil moisture as an indicator of growing-season herbaceous fuel moisture and curing rate in grasslands - ResearchGate

View Source
Preview of Soil | Australia state of the environment 2021
Soil | Australia state of the environment 2021
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Soil | Australia state of the environment 2021

View Source
Preview of Soil Quality Indicators - Natural Resources Conservation Service, accessed July 7, 2025,
Soil Quality Indicators - Natural Resources Conservation Service, accessed July 7, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Mixed Effects of Soil Compaction on the Nitrogen Cycle Under Pea and Wheat - PMC

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

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

Notes

This threshold varies with soil texture and grazing management; exceeding it leads to soil degradation.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TDG-LVG-SMO family.

— % VWC Low
Livestock Grazing & Pasture ยท Pristine Reference
OptimalRange Active v1