Soil Water Infiltration Rate

AUS-TDG-FOR-SWI General Low confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 50 to 250 mm/hr
Optimal Range: 50 to 250
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: OptimalRange

Scoring Curve

Scoring curve unavailable

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

Therefore, a reference range for SWIR representing "best available condition" under best-practice production forestry in Australian Temperate Dry Woodlands is proposed as 50 - 250 mm/hr.

Metric Definition:

Soil Water Infiltration Rate (SWIR) is defined as the rate at which water enters the soil profile, typically expressed in millimeters per hour (mm/hr).

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the optimal soil water infiltration rate range for best-practice production forestry in Australian Temperate Dry Woodlands, indicating healthy soil water absorption between 50 and 250 mm/hr.

Justification:

The range is grounded in established soil physics and hydrological principles and supported by data from well-managed production forests in a comparable temperate climate (New Zealand), acknowledging natural variability of soils within the target biome.

Sources (2)

Preview of Improved forest management - CSIRO, accessed July 12, 2025,
Improved forest management - CSIRO, accessed July 12, 2025, Government

Ecosystem wicks: Woodland trees enhance water infiltration in a fragmented agricultural landscape in eastern Australia, accessed May 15, 2025,

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Preview of www.waikatoregion.govt.nz, accessed May 15, 2025,
www.waikatoregion.govt.nz, accessed May 15, 2025, Journal

www.waikatoregion.govt.nz, accessed May 15, 2025,

View Source

Supporting Sources (1)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Do shrubs reduce the adverse effects of grazing on soil properties? - ResearchGate
Do shrubs reduce the adverse effects of grazing on soil properties? - ResearchGate
Direct Evidence

General Soil Water Infiltration Rate Classification

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
  • Land Use Production Forestry
  • Assessment Not Stated
  • Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

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

Notes

No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always better up to natural saturation. The range is aspirational yet realistic for production forestry systems actively managed for timber while maintaining ecological functions. It is significantly above values indicative of degraded conditions and reflects the potential for high infiltration when sustainable forestry practices maintain soil structure, organic matter, and minimize compaction. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TDG-FOR-SWI family.