Soil Water Infiltration Rate

AUS-TMS-FOR-SWI General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

30 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.

Evidence & Context

Lower Critical Threshold: Persistently <30-40 mm/hr due to compaction (e.g., skidder tracks 10), <10-20 mm/hr on bare/crusted soils 12, or <5 mm/hr (classified as 'Very Slow' 9) indicates significant degradation and compromised ecosystem function.

Metric Definition:

Soil water infiltration rate below which essential soil hydrological functions are significantly impaired.

Benchmark Definition:

Critical lower threshold of soil water infiltration rate indicating degradation due to soil compaction and surface crusting.

Justification:

Values persistently below 30-40 mm/hr on soils that should be permeable likely indicate significant degradation due to machinery traffic and surface conditions.

Sources (2)

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

General Soil Water Infiltration Rate Classification

View Source

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

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

Inherent Factors Affecting Soil Infiltration Infiltration ... - USDA

View Source

Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

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

Direct Evidence Journal

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

View Source

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

Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical Monsoonal Savannas
Land Use Production Forestry
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 10 Jun 2026

Notes

No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always better up to natural saturation. Includes skidder tracks infiltration rates reduced to 36 mm/hr and line-planted areas as low as 12-24 mm/hr shortly after treatment. Bare soils and crusted surfaces can reduce infiltration to <10-20 mm/hr, with severe degradation indicated below 5 mm/hr. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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