Soil Moisture
Benchmark Value
Scoring Curve
The scoring engine could not generate a curve for this benchmark context. The primary form is CompositeFramework, but the benchmark data may be missing required fields (e.g., optimal range bounds for an OptimalRange benchmark). This is typically a data quality issue in the benchmark pipeline.
Evidence & Context
The Lower Critical Threshold for the onset of water stress in this biome is estimated at a volumetric water content (VWC) of approximately 0.26 m³/m³.
Critical soil moisture threshold (θcrit) at which plant evapotranspiration becomes limited by water availability
This benchmark represents the critical soil moisture level at which plants in tropical and subtropical rainforest production forestry begin to experience water stress, limiting evapotranspiration.
Based on a comprehensive global study leveraging satellite and flux tower data for humid ecosystems including tropical rainforests.
Sources (1)
Global critical soil moisture thresholds of plant water stress - PMC, accessed July 20, 2025
View SourceSupporting Sources (4)
Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.
Soil disturbance rehabilitation: A desk guide to techniques and monitoring - Forest Service, accessed July 20, 2025
View SourceSoil health assessment of forest soils [Chapter 6] - Forest Service, accessed July 20, 2025
View SourceSoil Research - CSIRO PUBLISHING, accessed July 30, 2025,
View SourceDaintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation BASE Contextual, Soil ..., accessed July 20, 2025
View Source