Soil Water Infiltration Rate

AUS-TMS-FOR-SWI General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

100 mm/hr

Direction: Higher is desirable ↑

Form: MinimumOnly

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.

Contributing Benchmarks

CompositeFramework Primary OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard

Evidence & Context

Based on available research from analogous ecosystems, the proposed benchmark for soil water infiltration rate under best-practice Production Forestry in Australian Tropical Monsoonal Savannas is: Reference Value: A steady-state infiltration rate of >100 mm/hr, with the potential under optimal soil conditions to reach 150−180 mm/hr.

Metric Definition:

Soil water infiltration rate is the steady-state rate at which water enters the soil surface under field conditions.

Benchmark Definition:

Steady-state infiltration rate representing soil water infiltration capacity under best-practice production forestry conditions.

Justification:

This benchmark range is primarily derived from field measurements conducted by Moody and Cong (1998) on Ferrosols in Queensland, a soil type found within Australian savanna landscapes. Their study included sites described as 'virgin savannah woodland,' which are characterized by high soil organic carbon levels and represent a high-health native ecosystem state.

Sources (1)

Preview of 6. LAND CAPABILITY CLASSES ON THE FORTH MAP, accessed July 16, 2025,

6. LAND CAPABILITY CLASSES ON THE FORTH MAP, accessed July 16, 2025, Journal

The role of active fractions of soil organic matter in physical and chemical fertility of Ferrosols

View Source

Supporting Sources (3)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Comparing infiltration rates in soils managed with conventional and alternative farming methods: A meta-analysis, accessed July 6, 2025,

Comparing infiltration rates in soils managed with conventional and alternative farming methods: A meta-analysis, accessed July 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Chapter 7 Nutrient Leaching - SIPS Soil & Crop Sciences Section

View Source

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

Direct Evidence

General Soil Water Infiltration Rate Classification

View Source

Inherent Factors Affecting Soil Infiltration Infiltration Management - USDA, accessed July 6, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Inherent Factors Affecting Soil Infiltration Infiltration ... - USDA

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical Monsoonal Savannas
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 benchmark reflects excellent soil hydrological function, which best-practice sustainable production forestry should aim to emulate or maintain. The confidence level is Moderate as the data is from an analogous native ecosystem, not directly from a production forestry site managed under documented best-practice sustainable principles for timber. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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