Soil Moisture

AUS-TMS-CON-SMO General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

5 % 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 2 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 1 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MinimumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

a VWC of ≤5% in the topsoil (e.g., 0-40/50 cm) can be defined as a critical lower limit.

Metric Definition:

Soil Moisture (Topsoil Volumetric Water Content)

Benchmark Definition:

Lower critical soil moisture threshold.

Justification:

Below 5% VWC, soil respiration is severely limited, and grasses senesce, indicating significant ecological 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

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical Monsoonal Savannas
Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
Assessment Not Stated
Season late dry season
Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 30 May 2026

Notes

Observed late dry season VWC can drop to 3-6%. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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