Soil Moisture

AUS-TMS-LVG-SMO General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 15 to 27 % VWC

Optimal Range: 15 to 27

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 2 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 1 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary OptimalRange Guard

Evidence & Context

The proposed reference for topsoil moisture under best-practice management, supporting optimal ecological function and plant resilience, is an observed wet season volumetric water content (VWC) range of 15% to 27%.

Metric Definition:

Volumetric Water Content (VWC) in topsoil during the wet season

Benchmark Definition:

Soil moisture measured as volumetric water content in the topsoil layer during the wet season, indicative of best available ecological condition under sustainable grazing.

Justification:

Derived from field measurements in comparable savanna ecosystems reflecting conditions conducive to active plant growth and ecosystem processes.

Sources (1)

Trends and variability of water balance components over a tropical savanna and Eucalyptus forest in Australia Journal

Trends and variability of water balance components over a tropical savanna and Eucalyptus forest in Australia

View Source

Supporting Sources (3)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

(PDF) Global critical soil moisture thresholds of plant water stress

Methodology Source Government

Global critical soil moisture thresholds of plant water stress

View Source

(PDF) Review of soil water models with respect to savanna ...

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Seasonal Patterns in Soil Moisture, Vapour Pressure Deficit, Tree Canopy Cover and Pre-dawn Water Potential in a Northern Australian Savanna, accessed May 16, 2025

View Source

Soil, plant and livestock interactions in Australian tropical ... - Brill

Contextual Support Journal

Soil, plant and livestock interactions in Australian tropical ... - Brill

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical Monsoonal Savannas
Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
Assessment Conservation Target
Season wet season
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 9 Jun 2026

Notes

No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always better up to natural saturation. This range allows for natural fluctuations while ensuring moisture is not limiting for key pasture species during their primary growth phase. It aligns with the concept that well-managed systems can achieve soil moisture levels approaching or at field capacity for extended periods during the wet season.

Related Benchmarks

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