Soil Moisture — Benchmark Detail

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 10 to 35 % VWC

Optimal Range: 10 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. 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

an inferred optimal soil moisture range for Kandosol topsoils in these conservation areas is approximately 10% to 35% VWC.

Metric Definition:

Soil Moisture (Topsoil Volumetric Water Content)

Benchmark Definition:

Optimal soil moisture range supporting active grass growth and non-moisture-limited soil respiration.

Justification:

The lower end (10%) ensures that key ecosystem processes are not critically water-limited, while the upper end (35%) reflects the peak water availability that supports maximum observed productivity in these particular soils.

Sources (1)

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 (3)

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

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

Direct Evidence Journal

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

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
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 30 May 2026

Notes

This range is an inference based on the identified lower critical threshold and the observed peak wet season values. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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