Soil Water Infiltration Rate

AUS-TMS-FOR-SWI General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

300 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.

Evidence & Context

Upper Detrimental Threshold: No absolute numerical upper limit identified. However, very high infiltration (e.g., >200-300 mm/hr) on low-fertility sandy soils typical of TMS, especially if fertilizers are used in production forestry, can lead to excessive nutrient leaching, posing an environmental risk and reducing nutrient use efficiency.

Metric Definition:

Upper detrimental threshold of soil water infiltration rate beyond which excessive nutrient leaching and environmental risks increase.

Benchmark Definition:

Conditional upper threshold of soil water infiltration rate related to nutrient leaching risk in low-fertility sandy soils under production forestry.

Justification:

The threshold is conditional on soil type, nutrient status, and management, with very high infiltration rates increasing the risk of nutrient leaching.

Sources (1)

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, Journal

Chapter 7 Nutrient Leaching - SIPS Soil & Crop Sciences Section

View Source

Supporting Sources (3)

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

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 DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 10 Jun 2026

Notes

No absolute upper limit is defined, but rates above 200-300 mm/hr on certain soils with fertilizer use pose environmental risks. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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