Soil Water Infiltration Rate

AUS-ASC-AGR-SWI General Low confidence

Benchmark Value

100 mm/hr
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: MaximumOnly

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 4 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 3 guard(s) constrain the result.

Evidence & Context

Extremely high rates, more typical of gravels/sands. Potential for excessive nutrient leaching or drought stress if WHC is low.

Metric Definition:

Steady-state soil water infiltration rate, the rate at which water infiltrates soil after initial wetting, measured in mm/hr.

Benchmark Definition:

Potential upper detrimental threshold for steady-state soil water infiltration rate indicating possible adverse effects in Alpine and Subalpine Complex agricultural soils.

Justification:

Detriment is highly conditional and depends on soil texture, depth, nutrient management, and rainfall patterns.

Sources (1)

Preview of Australian Heritage Database - DCCEEW, accessed on May 25, 2025,
Australian Heritage Database - DCCEEW, accessed on May 25, 2025, Journal

Australian Heritage Database - DCCEEW

View Source

Supporting Sources (4)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Alfalfa planting significantly improved alpine soil water infiltrability in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
Alfalfa planting significantly improved alpine soil water infiltrability in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
Direct Evidence

Alfalfa planting significantly improved alpine soil water infiltrability in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

View Source
Preview of Impacts of Road Disturbance on Soil Properties and on Exotic Plant Occurrence in Subalpine Areas of the Australian Alps - ResearchGate, accessed on May 31, 2025
Impacts of Road Disturbance on Soil Properties and on Exotic Plant Occurrence in Subalpine Areas of the Australian Alps - ResearchGate, accessed on May 31, 2025
Direct Evidence Journal

Impacts of Road Disturbance on Soil Properties and on Exotic Plant Occurrence in Subalpine Areas of the Australian Alps - ResearchGate

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 theaustralianalpsnationalparks.org, accessed on May 25, 2025,
theaustralianalpsnationalparks.org, accessed on May 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Phosphorus Nutrition of Proteaceae in Severely Phosphorus-Impoverished Soils: Are There Lessons To Be Learned for Future Crops? - PubMed Central

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Alpine and Subalpine Complex
  • Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
  • Assessment Agricultural Biodiversity Target
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

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

Notes

Serves as a flag for specific contexts rather than a general indicator of poor soil condition.