Soil Water Infiltration Rate

AUS-ASC-FOR-SWI General High confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 400 to 1300 mm/hr
Thresholds: Lower: 400, Upper: 1300
Optimal Range: 400 to 1300
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 12 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 11 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary LowerThreshold Guard MaximumOnly Guard LowerThreshold Guard MinimumOnly Guard LowerThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard Point Guard Point Guard Point Guard OptimalRange Guard LowerThreshold Guard

Evidence & Context

The measured infiltration capacity is very high for both the burnt and unburnt sites, in the range 400-1300 mm h-1.

Metric Definition:

Infiltration capacity (maximum rate of water intake) measured via ring infiltrometers.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the optimal soil water infiltration rate range for alpine and subalpine forest soils, indicating the soil's capacity to absorb intense mountain rainstorms without causing runoff.

Justification:

Represents the natural high-functioning state of alpine forest soils.

Sources (1)

Preview of Variation in hillslope-scale erosion processes following a severe fire in Victoria
Variation in hillslope-scale erosion processes following a severe fire in Victoria Journal

Variation in hillslope-scale erosion processes following a severe fire in Victoria

View Source

Supporting Sources (11)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Australia's State of the Forests Report 2018 13 Criterion 4 - DAFF, accessed August 1, 2025,
Australia's State of the Forests Report 2018 13 Criterion 4 - DAFF, accessed August 1, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Victoria's State of the Forests Report 2013, accessed March 28, 2026,

View Source
Preview of CENTRAL HIGHLANDS COMPREHENSIVE REGIONAL ASSESSMENT REPORT
CENTRAL HIGHLANDS COMPREHENSIVE REGIONAL ASSESSMENT REPORT
Direct Evidence Journal

CENTRAL HIGHLANDS COMPREHENSIVE REGIONAL ASSESSMENT REPORT

View Source
Preview of Extract soil water infiltration rates and Ksat values for Alpine Ash forests from Sheridan et al. research.
Extract soil water infiltration rates and Ksat values for Alpine Ash forests from Sheridan et al. research.
Contextual Support Journal

Infiltration rates in subalpine forested catchments

View Source
Preview of Influence of Vegetation Cover and Soil Properties on Water Infiltration: A Study in High-Andean Ecosystems of Peru - MDPI
Influence of Vegetation Cover and Soil Properties on Water Infiltration: A Study in High-Andean Ecosystems of Peru - MDPI
Contextual Support Journal

Influence of Vegetation Cover and Soil Properties on Water Infiltration: A Study in High-Andean Ecosystems of Peru - MDPI

View Source
Preview of logging and water - The Australia Institute, accessed July 31, 2025,
logging and water - The Australia Institute, accessed July 31, 2025,
Direct Evidence Journal

Infiltration Characteristics of Soils Under Forestry and Agriculture in ...

View Source
Preview of Managing soil disturbance - EPA Victoria
Managing soil disturbance - EPA Victoria
Contextual Support

Managing soil disturbance - EPA Victoria

View Source
Preview of Rehabilitation Field Guide | Australian Alps National Parks, accessed on May 25, 2025,
Rehabilitation Field Guide | Australian Alps National Parks, accessed on May 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Costin, A. B. 1954. A Study of the Ecosystems of the Monaro Region of New South Wales.

View Source
Preview of Saturated hydraulic conductivity in wet Eucalyptus forest
Saturated hydraulic conductivity in wet Eucalyptus forest
Direct Evidence

Saturated hydraulic conductivity in wet Eucalyptus forest

View Source
Preview of SNOWY MOUNTAIN FORESTED HILLSLOPE SOIL CHARACTERISATION, SOIL HYDROLOGICAL PROPERTIES AND SOIL GEOCHEMISTRY PROGRAM
SNOWY MOUNTAIN FORESTED HILLSLOPE SOIL CHARACTERISATION, SOIL HYDROLOGICAL PROPERTIES AND SOIL GEOCHEMISTRY PROGRAM
Direct Evidence Journal

New South Wales Vegetation classification and Assessment: Part 3 Plant communities of the NSW Brigalow Belt South, Nandewar an - Botanic Gardens of Sydney, accessed March 28, 2026,

View Source
Preview of Soil Infiltration - Technical Information Sheet - Port Stephens Council
Soil Infiltration - Technical Information Sheet - Port Stephens Council
Regulatory Framework Journal

Geotechnical testing requirements for infiltration systems

View Source
Preview of The Australian Alps rehabilitation manual
The Australian Alps rehabilitation manual
Direct Evidence Journal

Australian Alps Rehabilitation Manual

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Alpine and Subalpine Complex
  • Land Use Production Forestry
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 9 Apr 2026

Notes

Represents the natural high-functioning state of alpine forest soils.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-ASC-FOR-SWI family.

730 mm/hr High
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference · Forest · Dry
Point Active v1
1300 mm/hr High
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference · Forest · Wet
Point Active v1
— mm/hr Moderate
Production Forestry · Production Forestry
OptimalRange Active v1
49.2 mm/hr Moderate
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference
Point Active v1
— mm/hr High
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference · Forest
OptimalRange Active v1
0.36 mm/hr Moderate
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference
LowerThreshold Active v1