Soil Water Infiltration Rate

AUS-TMS-CON-SWI General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

250 mm/hr
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: MinimumOnly

Scoring Curve

This curve shows how a field measurement for this indicator would score across all available benchmark forms in this context.

Evidence & Context

For Sandy Soils (>60% sand content, e.g., Kandosols, sandy Chromosols) in well-managed conservation areas (e.g., long-term exclosures of 4-24 years): Infiltration rates are described as "very high." ... Quantitatively, these rates likely exceed 250 mm/hr (classified as "Very Fast").

Metric Definition:

Soil Water Infiltration Rate (SWIR)

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the minimum soil water infiltration rate for sandy soils in well-managed conservation areas of the Tropical Monsoonal Savannas, indicating very high infiltration capacity above 250 mm/hr.

Justification:

Based on long-term grazing exclosures (4-24 years) showing increased soil organic carbon and porosity.

Sources (1)

Preview of The effect of soil and pasture attributes on rangeland infiltration rates in northern Australia
The effect of soil and pasture attributes on rangeland infiltration rates in northern Australia Journal

The effect of soil and pasture attributes on rangeland infiltration rates in northern Australia

View Source

Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Maximizing retention of native biodiversity in Australian agricultural ...
Maximizing retention of native biodiversity in Australian agricultural ...
Direct Evidence Journal

Does grazing exclusion in Australia's rangelands affect biomass and debris carbon stocks? - CSIRO Publishing, accessed April 29, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Soil Carbon Sequestration Potential: A review for Australian agriculture - MLA
Soil Carbon Sequestration Potential: A review for Australian agriculture - MLA
Methodology Source Journal

Influence of vegetation type on infiltration rate and capacity at Ie jue geothermal manifestation, Mount Seulawah Agam, Indonesia

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical Monsoonal Savannas
  • Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

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

Notes

Associated with increased soil organic carbon (~10% higher than adjacent grazed plots) and high aboveground biomass.

Related Benchmarks

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

— mm/hr Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Conservation Target
OptimalRange Active v1
— mm/hr Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Conservation Target
OptimalRange Active v1
5 mm/hr Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Conservation Target
MinimumOnly Active v1
2 mm/hr Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Conservation Target
MinimumOnly Active v1