Soil Moisture

AUS-AKW-CON-SMO General Low confidence

Benchmark Value

4 % VWC
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. The scoring engine uses 4 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 3 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MinimumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

The lower boundary for maintaining essential ecosystem functions is the derived Lower Critical Threshold of < 4% VWC.

Metric Definition:

volumetric soil moisture

Benchmark Definition:

The absolute minimum soil moisture required to prevent the initiation of catastrophic ecosystem collapse.

Justification:

Soil moisture is below the ecophysiological limit for keystone species. Prolonged periods at this level are associated with high risk of perennial shrub mortality, loss of landscape function, exposure of fragile Calcarosol soils, and irreversible wind erosion (desertification).

Sources (1)

Preview of Understanding Soil Water Content and Thresholds for Irrigation Management, accessed July 7, 2025,
Understanding Soil Water Content and Thresholds for Irrigation Management, accessed July 7, 2025, Government

Resource condition

View Source

Supporting Sources (34)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Rapid estimation of soil water retention functions, accessed July 27, 2025
(PDF) Rapid estimation of soil water retention functions, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

(PDF) Rapid estimation of soil water retention functions

View Source
Preview of Alice Mulga SuperSite | Soil & Vegetation Monitoring - TERN Australia, accessed July 22, 2025,
Alice Mulga SuperSite | Soil & Vegetation Monitoring - TERN Australia, accessed July 22, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Great Western Woodlands, Ground Water Data, 2014 - TERN Data Discovery Portal, accessed July 10, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Atriplex vesicaria - Wikipedia, accessed July 25, 2025,
Atriplex vesicaria - Wikipedia, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Atriplex vesicaria - Wikipedia, accessed July 25, 2025

View Source
Preview of Australia - Soils, Climate, Erosion | Britannica
Australia - Soils, Climate, Erosion | Britannica
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

SOIL TESTING

View Source
Preview of Australia wide daily volumetric soil moisture estimates - TERN Data Discovery Portal, accessed July 19, 2025,
Australia wide daily volumetric soil moisture estimates - TERN Data Discovery Portal, accessed July 19, 2025,
Methodology Source Government

TERN SMIPS - esoil.io

View Source
Preview of AUSTRALIAN chenopod shrublands - Ecosystem Guides, accessed July 27, 2025
AUSTRALIAN chenopod shrublands - Ecosystem Guides, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Karst and agriculture in Australia - Digital Commons @ USF, accessed July 23, 2025

View Source
Preview of Australian Soil Classification edition 3 - CALCAROSOLS, accessed July 27, 2025
Australian Soil Classification edition 3 - CALCAROSOLS, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Australian Soil Classification edition 3 - CALCAROSOLS

View Source
Preview of biodiversity - Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed July 23, 2025,
biodiversity - Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed July 23, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Our natural environments - NSW National Parks, accessed July 23, 2025

View Source
Preview of BIODIVERSITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE - ResearchGate
BIODIVERSITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE - ResearchGate
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

APPLICATION - Department for Energy and Mining

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Preview of Chenopod shrublands, samphire shrublands - Australian Vegetation - Australian National Botanic Gardens
Chenopod shrublands, samphire shrublands - Australian Vegetation - Australian National Botanic Gardens
Contextual Support Methodology Source Journal

Chenopod shrublands, samphire shrublands - Australian Vegetation - Australian National Botanic Gardens

View Source
Preview of Confronting the water potential information gap - PMC - PubMed Central
Confronting the water potential information gap - PMC - PubMed Central
Contextual Support Methodology Source GreyLiterature

Confronting the water potential information gap - PMC - PubMed Central

View Source
Preview of DRAFT Regional groundwater chemistry zones: SEQ region ..., accessed July 25, 2025,
DRAFT Regional groundwater chemistry zones: SEQ region ..., accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Methodology Source GreyLiterature

DRAFT Regional groundwater chemistry zones: SEQ region ..., accessed July 25, 2025

View Source
Preview of Find out the Different Types of Soil in Australia - Kelly Tillage AUS, accessed July 6, 2025,
Find out the Different Types of Soil in Australia - Kelly Tillage AUS, accessed July 6, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

1301.0 - ABS Feature Articles, 1966 - Australian Bureau of Statistics

View Source
Preview of Great Western Woodlands Flux Data Collection - TERN Data ..., accessed August 12, 2025,
Great Western Woodlands Flux Data Collection - TERN Data ..., accessed August 12, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Cumberland Plain SuperSite | Biogeochemical Fluxes & Climate

View Source
Preview of Gully erosion prediction across a large region: Murray–Darling Basin, Australia
Gully erosion prediction across a large region: Murray–Darling Basin, Australia
Contextual Support Journal

Draft Consultation Document The Case for World Heritage Nomination of the Nullarbor and Great Australian Bight (South Australia) - Wilderness Society

View Source
Preview of Karst and agriculture in Australia - Digital Commons @ USF, accessed July 22, 2025,
Karst and agriculture in Australia - Digital Commons @ USF, accessed July 22, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Alluvial Gully Erosion Rates and Processes Across the Mitchell ...

View Source
Preview of Maireana sedifolia at San Marcos Growers
Maireana sedifolia at San Marcos Growers
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Maireana sedifolia at San Marcos Growers

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Preview of Maireana Sedifolia Pearl Bluebush | SiteOne US
Maireana Sedifolia Pearl Bluebush | SiteOne US
Contextual Support Irrelevant

Maireana Sedifolia Pearl Bluebush | SiteOne US

View Source
Preview of Management of Calcareous Soils in Arid Region - IJEPEM
Management of Calcareous Soils in Arid Region - IJEPEM
Methodology Source Journal

Management of Calcareous Soils in Arid Region - IJEPEM

View Source
Preview of Nullarbor - DBCA Library
Nullarbor - DBCA Library
Contextual Support Journal

Nullarbor - DBCA Library, accessed July 24, 2025

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Preview of Nullarbor bioregion - DCCEEW, accessed July 27, 2025
Nullarbor bioregion - DCCEEW, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Nullarbor bioregion - DCCEEW, accessed July 24, 2025

View Source
Preview of Nullarbor Karst - The Western Australian Speleological Group, accessed July 26, 2025,
Nullarbor Karst - The Western Australian Speleological Group, accessed July 26, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Nullarbor Plain - A biography of the Australian continent

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Preview of Nullarbor Parks - YourSAy
Nullarbor Parks - YourSAy
Contextual Support

Nullarbor Parks - YourSAy

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Preview of Nullarbor Plain - Wikipedia, accessed July 25, 2025,
Nullarbor Plain - Wikipedia, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Nullarbor Plain - Wikipedia, accessed July 24, 2025

View Source
Preview of NVIS Fact sheet MVG 22 – Chenopod shrublands, samphire shrublands and forblands - DCCEEW, accessed July 24, 2025
NVIS Fact sheet MVG 22 – Chenopod shrublands, samphire shrublands and forblands - DCCEEW, accessed July 24, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

A Case for Below-Ground Dispersal? Insights into the Biology, Ecology and Conservation of Blind Cave Spiders in the Genus Troglodiplura (Mygalomorphae: Anamidae) - PubMed Central, accessed July 23, 2025

View Source
Preview of PO 12. Know the relationship between soil water content, soil water tension and soil pore size and the following soil parameters (and qualitatively understand how these parameters vary for different soil types) and their relationships to plant growth and the fate and transport of nutrients and pesticides. - Northeast Region Certified Crop Adviser (NRCCA) Study Resources, accessed July 7, 2025,
PO 12. Know the relationship between soil water content, soil water tension and soil pore size and the following soil parameters (and qualitatively understand how these parameters vary for different soil types) and their relationships to plant growth and the fate and transport of nutrients and pesticides. - Northeast Region Certified Crop Adviser (NRCCA) Study Resources, accessed July 7, 2025,
Contextual Support Methodology Source GreyLiterature

Wilting Point Of Crops: Temporary & Permanent Limits - EOS Data Analytics

View Source
Preview of Pressure-volume (P-V) curves in Atriplex nummularia Lindl. for evaluation of osmotic adjustment and water status under saline co - ResearchGate
Pressure-volume (P-V) curves in Atriplex nummularia Lindl. for evaluation of osmotic adjustment and water status under saline co - ResearchGate
Contextual Support Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

Pressure-volume (P-V) curves in Atriplex nummularia Lindl. for evaluation of osmotic adjustment and water status under saline co - ResearchGate

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Preview of Resource condition, accessed July 27, 2025
Resource condition, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

KARST - Earth Science Australia, accessed July 23, 2025

View Source
Preview of Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia - CSIRO, accessed July 30, 2025,
Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia - CSIRO, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Methodology Source Government

Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia - CSIRO

View Source
Preview of Soil moisture release curves—What they are. Why you need them. How to use them.
Soil moisture release curves—What they are. Why you need them. How to use them.
Methodology Source Journal

Soil moisture release curves—What they are. Why you need them. How to use them.

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Preview of Soil organic matter in cropping systems - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 22, 2025,
Soil organic matter in cropping systems - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 22, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

SOIL pH—SOUTH AUSTRALIA

View Source
Preview of Some Characteristics of Calcareous soils. A review A.S. Taalab1, G.W. Ageeb2, Hanan S. Siam1 and Safaa A. Mahmoud1 - CURRENT RESEARCH WEB
Some Characteristics of Calcareous soils. A review A.S. Taalab1, G.W. Ageeb2, Hanan S. Siam1 and Safaa A. Mahmoud1 - CURRENT RESEARCH WEB
Contextual Support Methodology Source GreyLiterature

Some Characteristics of Calcareous soils. A review A.S. Taalab1, G.W. Ageeb2, Hanan S. Siam1 and Safaa A. Mahmoud1 - CURRENT RESEARCH WEB

View Source
Preview of The Australian SuperSite Network: A continental, long-term terrestrial ecosystem observatory - PubMed
The Australian SuperSite Network: A continental, long-term terrestrial ecosystem observatory - PubMed
Contextual Support Methodology Source GreyLiterature

The Australian SuperSite Network: a continental, long-term terrestrial ecosystem observatory - PubMed

View Source
Preview of Understanding Soil Water Content and Thresholds for Irrigation Management
Understanding Soil Water Content and Thresholds for Irrigation Management
Contextual Support Direct Evidence Methodology Source Journal

Understanding Soil Water Content and Thresholds for Irrigation Management

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Arid Karstic Woodlands & Shrublands
  • Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
  • Assessment Not Stated
  • Vegetation Shrubland
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

  • Status Rejected
  • Version 2
  • Effective From 29 May 2026
  • Effective To 31 May 2026

Notes

Values below 4% VWC are associated with high risk of perennial shrub mortality. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one. Pipeline quarantine: Lower confidence than existing active benchmark v1 (Moderate). Rejected by operator on 2026-05-31 00:37 UTC

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-AKW-CON-SMO family.

— % VWC Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Pristine Reference · Shrubland
OptimalRange Active v13
4 % VWC Low
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Not Stated · Shrubland
MinimumOnly Active v2
— % VWC Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Pristine Reference · Shrubland
OptimalRange Superseded v12
— % VWC Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Pristine Reference · Shrubland
OptimalRange Superseded v11
— % VWC Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Pristine Reference · Shrubland
OptimalRange Superseded v10
— % VWC Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Pristine Reference · Shrubland
OptimalRange Superseded v9
— % VWC Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Pristine Reference · Shrubland
OptimalRange Superseded v8
— % VWC Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Pristine Reference · Shrubland
OptimalRange Superseded v7
— % VWC Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Pristine Reference · Shrubland
OptimalRange Superseded v6
— % VWC Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Pristine Reference · Shrubland
OptimalRange Superseded v5
— % VWC Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Pristine Reference · Shrubland
OptimalRange Superseded v4
— % VWC Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Pristine Reference · Shrubland
OptimalRange Superseded v3
4 % VWC Low
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Not Stated · Shrubland
MinimumOnly Rejected v2
4 % VWC Low
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Not Stated · Shrubland
MinimumOnly Rejected v2
— % VWC Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Pristine Reference · Shrubland
OptimalRange Superseded v2
4 % VWC Low
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Not Stated · Shrubland
MinimumOnly Rejected v2
4 % VWC Low
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Not Stated · Shrubland
MinimumOnly Rejected v2
4 % VWC Low
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Not Stated · Shrubland
MinimumOnly Rejected v2
4 % VWC Low
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Not Stated · Shrubland
MinimumOnly Rejected v2
4 % VWC Low
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Not Stated · Shrubland
MinimumOnly Rejected v2
4 % VWC Low
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Not Stated · Shrubland
MinimumOnly Rejected v2
4 % VWC Low
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Not Stated · Shrubland
MinimumOnly Rejected v2
4 % VWC Low
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Not Stated · Shrubland
MinimumOnly Rejected v2
— % VWC Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Pristine Reference · Shrubland
OptimalRange Superseded v1
4 % VWC Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Not Stated · Shrubland
MinimumOnly Superseded v1