Soil Water Infiltration Rate

AUS-ASC-LVG-SWI General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

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

Evidence & Context

A lower critical threshold for SWIR is not numerically defined but functionally indicated by infiltration rates well below the 36 mm/hr lower bound of healthy AHS.

Metric Definition:

Lower critical threshold for Soil Water Infiltration Rate below which ecological function is compromised due to soil compaction and degradation.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark indicates the minimum soil water infiltration rate below which soil compaction and degradation significantly impair ecological function in Alpine Humus Soils.

Justification:

Based on functional impacts of soil compaction and reduced infiltration observed in related studies and proxy indicators.

Sources (2)

Preview of Effects of soil and vegetation development on surface hydrological properties of moraines in the Swiss Alps | Request PDF - ResearchGate
Effects of soil and vegetation development on surface hydrological properties of moraines in the Swiss Alps | Request PDF - ResearchGate Journal

Effects of soil and vegetation development on surface hydrological properties of moraines in the Swiss Alps | Request PDF - ResearchGate

View Source
Preview of research-repository.griffith.edu.au, accessed on May 25, 2025,
research-repository.griffith.edu.au, accessed on May 25, 2025, Journal

Impacts of Camping and Trampling on Australian Alpine and Subalpine Vegetation and Soils - Griffith Research Online

View Source

Supporting Sources (46)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Drivers of field-saturated soil hydraulic conductivity: Implications for restoring degraded tropical landscapes - ResearchGate
(PDF) Drivers of field-saturated soil hydraulic conductivity: Implications for restoring degraded tropical landscapes - ResearchGate
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

(PDF) Soil Infiltration Properties Are Affected by Typical Plant Communities in a Semi-Arid Desert Grassland in China - ResearchGate

View Source
Preview of (PDF) Effects of deer grazing and fence‐line pacing on water and soil quality, accessed on May 25, 2025
(PDF) Effects of deer grazing and fence‐line pacing on water and soil quality, accessed on May 25, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) Effects of deer grazing and fence‐line pacing on water and soil quality

View Source
Preview of (PDF) Wilderness and its place in nature conservation in Australia - ResearchGate
(PDF) Wilderness and its place in nature conservation in Australia - ResearchGate
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

(PDF) Wilderness and its place in nature conservation in Australia - ResearchGate

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Preview of A SYSTEM DYNAMICS MODEL OF SOIL CARBON STOCK AND FLOWS IN GRASSLANDS UNDER CLIMATE AND GRAZING SCENARIOS A Thesis presented to t - Digital Commons @ Cal Poly
A SYSTEM DYNAMICS MODEL OF SOIL CARBON STOCK AND FLOWS IN GRASSLANDS UNDER CLIMATE AND GRAZING SCENARIOS A Thesis presented to t - Digital Commons @ Cal Poly
Contextual Support Journal

A SYSTEM DYNAMICS MODEL OF SOIL CARBON STOCK AND FLOWS IN GRASSLANDS UNDER CLIMATE AND GRAZING SCENARIOS A Thesis presented to t - Digital Commons @ Cal Poly

View Source
Preview of Application of the Soil Security Concept to Two Contrasting Soil Landscape Systems—Implications for Soil Capability and Sustainable Land Management - MDPI
Application of the Soil Security Concept to Two Contrasting Soil Landscape Systems—Implications for Soil Capability and Sustainable Land Management - MDPI
Contextual Support Journal

Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research. (2005). Recovery of Alpine Vegetation from Grazing and Drought. 8

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Preview of Australia state of the environment 2021: land
Australia state of the environment 2021: land
Contextual Support Journal

Australia state of the environment 2021: land

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Preview of Distribution, nature and threats to soils of the Australian Alps: A review
Distribution, nature and threats to soils of the Australian Alps: A review
Direct Evidence

Distribution, nature and threats to soils of the Australian Alps: A review

View Source
Preview of Estimates of late Holocene soil production and erosion in the Snowy ...
Estimates of late Holocene soil production and erosion in the Snowy ...
Direct Evidence Journal

A review of the potential impacts of different fire regimes on soil erosion and sedimentation, nutrient and carb - Environment and Heritage, accessed May 13, 2026,

View Source
Preview of Exploring the seasonal dynamics of Australian temperate grasslands through phenocam imagery, remote sensing and field data - OPUS at UTS
Exploring the seasonal dynamics of Australian temperate grasslands through phenocam imagery, remote sensing and field data - OPUS at UTS
Direct Evidence Journal

Exploring the seasonal dynamics of Australian temperate grasslands through phenocam imagery, remote sensing and field data - OPUS at UTS

View Source
Preview of final report - MLA, accessed May 7, 2026,
final report - MLA, accessed May 7, 2026,
Direct Evidence Journal

INQUIRY INTO MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC LAND IN NEW SOUTH WALES - NSW Parliament

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Preview of flora and fauna guarantee - Environment
flora and fauna guarantee - Environment
Contextual Support Journal

Soil physical properties and their relation to organic carbon pools as ...

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Preview of Full article: Impact of bushfire and climate variability on streamflow from forested catchments in southeast Australia - Taylor & Francis
Full article: Impact of bushfire and climate variability on streamflow from forested catchments in southeast Australia - Taylor & Francis
Direct Evidence Journal

Full article: Impact of bushfire and climate variability on streamflow from forested catchments in southeast Australia - Taylor & Francis

View Source
Preview of Grazing management for soil carbon in Australia: A review - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,
Grazing management for soil carbon in Australia: A review - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Grazing management for soil carbon in Australia: A review - ResearchGate, accessed May 10, 2026

View Source
Preview of Grazing-management-for-soil-carbon-in-Australia-A-review.pdf - University of Tasmania, accessed on June 7, 2025,
Grazing-management-for-soil-carbon-in-Australia-A-review.pdf - University of Tasmania, accessed on June 7, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

www.utas.edu.au, accessed May 11, 2025

View Source
Preview of Infiltration rates and soil moisture in a groved mulga community near Alice Springs, arid central Australia: Evidence for complex internal rainwater redistribution in a runoff-runon landscape | Request PDF - ResearchGate
Infiltration rates and soil moisture in a groved mulga community near Alice Springs, arid central Australia: Evidence for complex internal rainwater redistribution in a runoff-runon landscape | Request PDF - ResearchGate
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Effects of soil degradation on infiltration rates in grazed semiarid rangelands of northeastern Patagonia, Argentina - Project Bedrock

View Source
Preview of Influence of antecedent soil moisture content and land use on the surface runoff response to heavy rainfall simulation experiments investigated in Alpine catchments - PMC
Influence of antecedent soil moisture content and land use on the surface runoff response to heavy rainfall simulation experiments investigated in Alpine catchments - PMC
Contextual Support Journal

Influence of antecedent soil moisture content and land use on the surface runoff response to heavy rainfall simulation experiments investigated in Alpine catchments - PMC

View Source
Preview of Influence of Organic Matter on Soil Hydrothermal Processes in the Tibetan Plateau: Observation and Parameterization - AMS Journals
Influence of Organic Matter on Soil Hydrothermal Processes in the Tibetan Plateau: Observation and Parameterization - AMS Journals
Direct Evidence

Influence of Organic Matter on Soil Hydrothermal Processes in the Tibetan Plateau: Observation and Parameterization - AMS Journals

View Source
Preview of Influence of Vegetation Cover and Soil Properties on Water Infiltration: A Study in High-Andean Ecosystems of Peru - MDPI
Influence of Vegetation Cover and Soil Properties on Water Infiltration: A Study in High-Andean Ecosystems of Peru - MDPI
Contextual Support Journal

FACT SHEET - UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

View Source
Preview of Iran) - ResearchGate
Iran) - ResearchGate
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Effects of Livestock Grazing on Vegetation Composition and Soil Moisture Properties in Grazed and Non-Grazed Range Site - Science Alert

View Source
Preview of Land Restoration to Combat Desertification - CEAM
Land Restoration to Combat Desertification - CEAM
Direct Evidence Journal

Land Restoration to Combat Desertification - CEAM

View Source
Preview of Livestock Grazing Management and Water Quality Protection (State of the Art Reference Document) - epa nepis
Livestock Grazing Management and Water Quality Protection (State of the Art Reference Document) - epa nepis
Direct Evidence

Livestock Grazing Management and Water Quality Protection (State of the Art Reference Document) - epa nepis

View Source
Preview of OVERVIEW AND BIBLIOGRAPHY OF METHODS FOR EVALUATING THE SURFACE-WATER-INFILTRATION COMPONENT OF THE RAINFALL-RUNOFF PROCESS By R
OVERVIEW AND BIBLIOGRAPHY OF METHODS FOR EVALUATING THE SURFACE-WATER-INFILTRATION COMPONENT OF THE RAINFALL-RUNOFF PROCESS By R
Methodology Source Government

OVERVIEW AND BIBLIOGRAPHY OF METHODS FOR EVALUATING THE SURFACE-WATER-INFILTRATION COMPONENT OF THE RAINFALL-RUNOFF PROCESS By R

View Source
Preview of Part 645 – National Range and Pasture Handbook - Subpart G – Rangeland Ecohydrology 645.0701 Introduction - USDA
Part 645 – National Range and Pasture Handbook - Subpart G – Rangeland Ecohydrology 645.0701 Introduction - USDA
Direct Evidence Journal

Part 645 – National Range and Pasture Handbook - Subpart G – Rangeland Ecohydrology 645.0701 Introduction - USDA

View Source
Preview of Patterns of variation in Australian alpine soils and their relationships to parent material, vegetation formation, climate and topography | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed August 3, 2025,
Patterns of variation in Australian alpine soils and their relationships to parent material, vegetation formation, climate and topography | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed August 3, 2025,
Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Water infiltration rate as affected by grazing land management ...

View Source
Preview of Rangeland Soil Quality: Infiltration - Natural Resources Conservation Service
Rangeland Soil Quality: Infiltration - Natural Resources Conservation Service
Direct Evidence Journal

Annex 2 Infiltration rate and infiltration test

View Source
Preview of Rangeland Soil Quality: Infiltration - Natural Resources Conservation Service, accessed July 6, 2025,
Rangeland Soil Quality: Infiltration - Natural Resources Conservation Service, accessed July 6, 2025,
Direct Evidence Journal

Understanding Soil Infiltration - Ideal Geotech

View Source
Preview of Recovery of Alpine Herbfield on a Closed Walking Track in the ...
Recovery of Alpine Herbfield on a Closed Walking Track in the ...
Contextual Support Journal

Recovery of Alpine Herbfield on a Closed Walking Track in the Kosciuszko Alpine Zone, Australia - BioOne Complete

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

View Source
Preview of Restoration of Degraded Grassland Significantly Improves Water Storage in Alpine Grasslands in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau - PMC
Restoration of Degraded Grassland Significantly Improves Water Storage in Alpine Grasslands in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau - PMC
Direct Evidence Journal

Restoration of Degraded Grassland Significantly Improves Water Storage in Alpine Grasslands in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau - PMC

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Preview of Review of hydrological modelling in the Australian Alps: from rainfall-runoff to physically based models - ResearchGate
Review of hydrological modelling in the Australian Alps: from rainfall-runoff to physically based models - ResearchGate
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Review of hydrological modelling in the Australian Alps: from rainfall-runoff to physically based models - ResearchGate, accessed May 13, 2026,

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Preview of SNOWY MOUNTAIN FORESTED HILLSLOPE SOIL CHARACTERISATION, SOIL HYDROLOGICAL PROPERTIES AND SOIL GEOCHEMISTRY PROGRAM
SNOWY MOUNTAIN FORESTED HILLSLOPE SOIL CHARACTERISATION, SOIL HYDROLOGICAL PROPERTIES AND SOIL GEOCHEMISTRY PROGRAM
Direct Evidence Journal

Rainfall infiltration and soil hydrological characteristics below ancient forest, planted forest and grassland in a temperate northern climate

View Source
Preview of Soil hydraulic function: Earthworm-plant root interactions - White Rose eTheses Online
Soil hydraulic function: Earthworm-plant root interactions - White Rose eTheses Online
Direct Evidence Journal

Soil hydraulic function: Earthworm-plant root interactions - White Rose eTheses Online

View Source
Preview of Soil Infiltration Properties Are Affected by Typical Plant Communities in a Semi-Arid Desert Grassland in China - MDPI
Soil Infiltration Properties Are Affected by Typical Plant Communities in a Semi-Arid Desert Grassland in China - MDPI
Contextual Support Journal

How does building healthy soils impact sustainable use of water resources in irrigated agriculture? | Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene | University of California Press

View Source
Preview of soil water-holding capacity: Topics by Science.gov
soil water-holding capacity: Topics by Science.gov
Contextual Support Journal

Evaluating the impacts of sustainable land management practices on water quality in an agricultural catchment in Lower Austria using SWAT - PMC

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Preview of Tanzania - MDPI
Tanzania - MDPI
Contextual Support Journal

Response of Grazing Land Soil Health to Management Strategies: A Summary Review

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Preview of The Australian Alps rehabilitation manual
The Australian Alps rehabilitation manual
Direct Evidence Journal

Invasive Species Research - Research Centre for Applied Alpine Ecology

View Source
Preview of The ecology of domestic grazing in the Australian Alps | Request PDF
The ecology of domestic grazing in the Australian Alps | Request PDF
Contextual Support Journal

The ecology of domestic grazing in the Australian Alps | Request PDF

View Source
Preview of The Impacts of Grazing 1 NEFA BACKGROUND PAPER - Cloudfront.net, accessed August 6, 2025
The Impacts of Grazing 1 NEFA BACKGROUND PAPER - Cloudfront.net, accessed August 6, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net

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Preview of theaustralianalpsnationalparks.org, accessed on May 28, 2025
theaustralianalpsnationalparks.org, accessed on May 28, 2025
Direct Evidence Journal

Caring for our Australian Alps Catchments, accessed on May 28, 2025

View Source
Preview of theaustralianalpsnationalparks.org, accessed on May 29, 2025,
theaustralianalpsnationalparks.org, accessed on May 29, 2025,
Direct Evidence Journal

Soil Conservation in Alpine Catchments - The Kosciuszko Huts Association, accessed August 17, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Understanding Soil Infiltration - Ideal Geotech
Understanding Soil Infiltration - Ideal Geotech
Contextual Support Journal

Understanding Soil Infiltration - Ideal Geotech

View Source
Preview of Understanding Soil Infiltration - Ideal Geotech, accessed July 6, 2025,
Understanding Soil Infiltration - Ideal Geotech, accessed July 6, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

National Soil Strategy

View Source
Preview of Upland Flood Mitigation by Managing Infiltration - PURE - Aberystwyth University
Upland Flood Mitigation by Managing Infiltration - PURE - Aberystwyth University
Direct Evidence Journal

Upland Flood Mitigation by Managing Infiltration - PURE - Aberystwyth University

View Source
Preview of Upland soil functions under organic grazing systems - White Rose eTheses Online
Upland soil functions under organic grazing systems - White Rose eTheses Online
Direct Evidence Journal

The Australian Alps rehabilitation manual

View Source
Preview of Where should livestock graze? Integrated modeling and optimization to guide grazing management in the Cañete basin, Peru - Socio-Environmental Systems Modelling
Where should livestock graze? Integrated modeling and optimization to guide grazing management in the Cañete basin, Peru - Socio-Environmental Systems Modelling
Direct Evidence Journal

Durham E-Theses Runoff production in blanket peat covered catchments

View Source
Preview of Wilson, B. R., Oliver, I., Jenkins, M., & Robertson, S. (2021). Distribution, nature and threats to soils of the Australian Alps: A review. Austral Ecology, 46(2), 241-260.
Wilson, B. R., Oliver, I., Jenkins, M., & Robertson, S. (2021). Distribution, nature and threats to soils of the Australian Alps: A review. Austral Ecology, 46(2), 241-260.
Direct Evidence Journal

Alpine Bog and Fen (Bog Pool) Communities - Action statement, accessed May 10, 2026

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Alpine and Subalpine Complex
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Not Stated
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 10 Jun 2026

Notes

No precise numeric threshold established; 36 mm/hr is the lower bound of healthy AHS, with degradation indicated below this. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.