Soil Water Infiltration Rate

AUS-TMS-CON-SWI General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 20 to 60 mm/hr
Optimal Range: 20 to 60
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.

Evidence & Context

For Well-Structured Clayey Soils (e.g., non-dispersive Vertosols, clayey Dermosols) in well-managed conservation areas: ... moderate matrix infiltration rates when wet (e.g., 20-60 mm/hr or higher, "Medium")

Metric Definition:

Soil Water Infiltration Rate (SWIR)

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the typical soil water infiltration rate range for well-structured clayey soils in well-managed conservation areas of the Tropical Monsoonal Savannas, indicating moderate infiltration rates between 20 and 60 mm/hr when wet.

Justification:

Supported by stable aggregates and macroporosity in well-managed areas.

Sources (3)

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

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

View Source
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

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

Refers specifically to matrix infiltration rates when wet; initial rates via cracks may be higher.

Related Benchmarks

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

250 mm/hr Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Conservation Target
MinimumOnly 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