Soil Moisture

AUS-TMS-CON-SMO General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 30 to 35 % VWC

Optimal Range: 30 to 35

Direction: Higher is desirable ↑

Form: OptimalRange

Scoring Curve

This curve shows how a field measurement for this indicator would score across all available benchmark forms in this context.

Evidence & Context

The proposed reference value is a range of 30-35% Volumetric Water Content (VWC) for Kandosol topsoils (approximately 0-50 cm depth).

Metric Definition:

Soil Moisture (Topsoil Volumetric Water Content)

Benchmark Definition:

Reference value reflecting peak wet season topsoil (0-50cm) Volumetric Water Content (VWC) in well-drained Kandosols.

Justification:

Reflects peak wet season conditions at Howard Springs that support maximum ecological function in these specific, well-drained sandy loam soils, without evidence of widespread waterlogging stress.

Sources (2)

Beringer et al. (2011) "SPECIAL—Savanna Patterns of Energy and Carbon Integrated Across the Landscape" (BAMS) Journal

Beringer et al. (2011) "SPECIAL—Savanna Patterns of Energy and Carbon Integrated Across the Landscape" (BAMS)

View Source

Preview of Hutley, L. B. (2004). "Daily and seasonal patterns of carbon and water fluxes of a north Australian savanna" (PhD Thesis, Charles Darwin University, citing Cook et al., 1998 for VWC data)

Hutley, L. B. (2004). "Daily and seasonal patterns of carbon and water fluxes of a north Australian savanna" (PhD Thesis, Charles Darwin University, citing Cook et al., 1998 for VWC data) Journal

Hutley, L. B. (2004). "Daily and seasonal patterns of carbon and water fluxes of a north Australian savanna" (PhD Thesis, Charles Darwin University, citing Cook et al., 1998 for VWC data)

View Source

Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Australia state of the environment 2021: land

Contextual Support Journal

Australia state of the environment 2021: land

View Source

Land Ecosystem Atmosphere Program (LEAP) - Howard Springs OzFlux Flux Tower Site - Resources - The University of Western Australia

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Land Ecosystem Atmosphere Program (LEAP) - Howard Springs OzFlux Flux Tower Site - Resources - The University of Western Australia

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Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical Monsoonal Savannas
Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
Assessment Pristine Reference
Season wet season
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 30 May 2026

Notes

Specific to Kandosol-like soils (e.g., sandy loams with low Plant Available Water Capacity ~8%).

Related Benchmarks

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