Soil Water Infiltration Rate

AUS-TDG-LVG-SWI General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 25 to 75 mm/hr

Optimal Range: 25 to 75

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 6 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 5 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MinimumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

While specific values will vary with soil type, a reasonable expectation for steady-state SWIR under best-practice management on moderately textured soils (loams, clay loams) in this biome would likely be in the range of 25 - 75 mm/hr.

Metric Definition:

Soil Water Infiltration Rate (SWIR) quantifies the rate at which water enters the soil profile at the surface.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the expected steady-state soil water infiltration rate under best-practice grazing management on moderately textured soils in the Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands biome. It indicates the rate at which water typically enters the soil surface, with higher rates generally beneficial up to natural saturation.

Justification:

The benchmark is grounded in well-established principles of soil physics and hydrology and supported by multiple studies demonstrating the positive impact of best-practice grazing on factors controlling infiltration.

Sources (2)

Preview of Adaptive multi-paddock grazing improves water infiltration in Canadian grassland soils | Request PDF - ResearchGate

Adaptive multi-paddock grazing improves water infiltration in Canadian grassland soils | Request PDF - ResearchGate Journal

Response of Grazing Land Soil Health to Management Strategies: A ...

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Soil structure, soil hydraulic properties and the soil water balance - ResearchGate Journal

Soil structure, soil hydraulic properties and the soil water balance - ResearchGate

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Supporting Sources (6)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

(PDF) Final report Scoping Study of Soil Management in Livestock ..., accessed May 12, 2025

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

(PDF) Final report Scoping Study of Soil Management in Livestock ...

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(PDF) Response of Grazing Land Soil Health to Management Strategies: A Summary Review - ResearchGate, accessed May 12, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) Response of Grazing Land Soil Health to Management Strategies: A Summary Review - ResearchGate

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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.

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Removing Grazing Pressure from a Native Pasture Decreases Soil Organic Carbon in Southern New South Wales, Australia - ResearchGate

Contextual Support

Removing Grazing Pressure from a Native Pasture Decreases Soil Organic Carbon in Southern New South Wales, Australia - ResearchGate

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Significance of terms used to predict the effect of rainfall and herbage mass on runoff, accessed May 12, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Significance of terms used to predict the effect of rainfall and herbage mass on runoff

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Preview of SNOWY MOUNTAIN FORESTED HILLSLOPE SOIL CHARACTERISATION, SOIL HYDROLOGICAL PROPERTIES AND SOIL GEOCHEMISTRY PROGRAM (Data derived from research linked to Save our Snow Gum (SOSG) project and Australian Mountain Research Facility (AMRF))

SNOWY MOUNTAIN FORESTED HILLSLOPE SOIL CHARACTERISATION, SOIL HYDROLOGICAL PROPERTIES AND SOIL GEOCHEMISTRY PROGRAM (Data derived from research linked to Save our Snow Gum (SOSG) project and Australian Mountain Research Facility (AMRF))

Direct Evidence Journal

Dynamics of Sudanian Savanna-Woodland Ecosystem in Response to Disturbances - - Administrative page for SLU library

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Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 9 Jun 2026

Notes

Represents a functional state achieved under best-practice regenerative grazing, characterized by SWIR significantly above degradation thresholds. Derived from synthesis due to limited direct data for the specific AUS biome/land use. Initial rates may be higher. No evidence found for an upper detrimental threshold; higher infiltration is generally better up to natural saturation. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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