Soil Structure & Compaction

AUS-TGP-FOR-SSC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

2500 kPa

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: UpperThreshold

Scoring Curve

Scoring curve unavailable

The scoring engine could not generate a curve for this benchmark context. The primary form is CompositeFramework, but the benchmark data may be missing required fields (e.g., optimal range bounds for an OptimalRange benchmark). This is typically a data quality issue in the benchmark pipeline.

Contributing Benchmarks

CompositeFramework Primary MaximumOnly Guard UpperThreshold Guard MaximumOnly Guard UpperThreshold Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard Point Guard OptimalRange Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

a conservative but evidence-based upper critical threshold of 2500 kPa (2.5 MPa), measured at or near field capacity, is proposed as the limit beyond which soil condition is considered severely degraded and ecologically unsustainable for this system.

Metric Definition:

Soil penetration resistance, quantified by penetrometer resistance, that signifies a state of high ecological health.

Benchmark Definition:

Upper critical threshold for soil penetration resistance.

Justification:

Represents a state of severe compaction where root growth of eucalypts is significantly impeded, water infiltration is poor, and ecosystem function is compromised.

Sources (2)

Preview of Review Paper AS THE SOIL RESISTANCE TO PENETRATION AFFECTS THE DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURAL CROPS?, accessed August 9, 2025,

Review Paper AS THE SOIL RESISTANCE TO PENETRATION AFFECTS THE DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURAL CROPS?, accessed August 9, 2025, Journal

Review Paper AS THE SOIL RESISTANCE TO PENETRATION AFFECTS THE DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURAL CROPS?, accessed August 9, 2025

Preview of The effect of harvesting operations, slash management and fertilisation on the growth of a Eucalyptus clonal hybrid on a sandy soil in Zululand, South Africa | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed August 9, 2025,

The effect of harvesting operations, slash management and fertilisation on the growth of a Eucalyptus clonal hybrid on a sandy soil in Zululand, South Africa | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed August 9, 2025, Journal

The effect of harvesting operations, slash management and fertilisation on the growth of a Eucalyptus clonal hybrid on a sandy soil in Zululand, South Africa | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed August 9, 2025

Supporting Sources (38)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Determining reference conditions for management and ..., accessed August 5, 2025,

(PDF) Determining reference conditions for management and ..., accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Effects of Stock Grazing on Biodiversity Values in Temperate Native Grasslands and Grassy Woodlands in SE Australia: A Literature Review - ACT Government

Preview of (PDF) Soil compaction and controlled traffic considerations in ..., accessed July 30, 2025,

(PDF) Soil compaction and controlled traffic considerations in ..., accessed July 30, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence

Ripping Mallee soils, what are the production benefits? - Agronomy Australia Proceedings

Preview of (PDF) The effect of soil compaction on germination and early growth ..., accessed August 4, 2025,

(PDF) The effect of soil compaction on germination and early growth ..., accessed August 4, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

The effect of soil compaction on germination and early growth of Eucalyptus albens and an exotic annual grass - ResearchGate

Preview of A comparison of rubber-tyred and steel-tracked skidders on forest soil physical properties, accessed August 9, 2025,

A comparison of rubber-tyred and steel-tracked skidders on forest soil physical properties, accessed August 9, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

A comparison of rubber-tyred and steel-tracked skidders on forest soil physical properties, accessed August 9, 2025,

Preview of A review on effective soil health bio-indicators for ecosystem restoration and sustainability, accessed May 13, 2025,

A review on effective soil health bio-indicators for ecosystem restoration and sustainability, accessed May 13, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Soil Respiration - Natural Resources Conservation Service, accessed August 1, 2025

Preview of Bulk Density - Measurement | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed August 9, 2025,

Bulk Density - Measurement | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed August 9, 2025,

Methodology Source Government

Soil compaction - practical considerations - Forest Research, accessed August 9, 2025

Preview of Comparison of the penetration of primary and lateral roots of pea and different tree seedlings growing in hard soils - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 9, 2025,

Comparison of the penetration of primary and lateral roots of pea and different tree seedlings growing in hard soils - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 9, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

The Influence of Compaction and Soil Strength on the Establishment of Four Australian Landscape Trees | Arboriculture & Urban Forestry, accessed August 9, 2025

Preview of CRITICAL LIMITS OF SOIL PENETRATION RESISTANCE ... - Scielo

CRITICAL LIMITS OF SOIL PENETRATION RESISTANCE ... - Scielo

Direct Evidence Journal

Nutrition on calcareous soils and deep P placement - GRDC, accessed July 22, 2025

Preview of Effects of Stock Grazing on Biodiversity Values in ... - ACT Government, accessed August 4, 2025

Effects of Stock Grazing on Biodiversity Values in ... - ACT Government, accessed August 4, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Yellow Box – Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived ...

Preview of Environment Monitoring Systems & Data for Ecosystem Studies ..., accessed July 30, 2025,

Environment Monitoring Systems & Data for Ecosystem Studies ..., accessed July 30, 2025,

Contextual Support Regulatory Framework Government

(PDF) Evaluation of genetic markers for the metabarcoding of ...

Preview of GRASSLANDS & GRASSY WOODLANDS - Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, accessed August 5, 2025,

GRASSLANDS & GRASSY WOODLANDS - Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) Identifying ecological barriers to restoration in temperate ...

Preview of Guidelines for Plantation forestry in south australia 2009 - PIRSA, accessed August 9, 2025,

Guidelines for Plantation forestry in south australia 2009 - PIRSA, accessed August 9, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Guidelines for Plantation forestry in south australia 2009 - PIRSA, accessed August 9, 2025,

Preview of Harvest operations and soil sustainability: A review - USDA Forest Service, accessed August 10, 2025,

Harvest operations and soil sustainability: A review - USDA Forest Service, accessed August 10, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence

Significant and persistent impact of timber harvesting on soil ..., accessed August 9, 2025

Preview of Health of remnant woodlands in fragments under distinct grazing regimes - ResearchGate, accessed August 9, 2025,

Health of remnant woodlands in fragments under distinct grazing regimes - ResearchGate, accessed August 9, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

The extent and pattern of Eucalyptus regeneration in an agricultural landscape | Request PDF - ResearchGate

Preview of How do fire regimes affect ecosystem structure, function and diversity in grasslands and grassy woodlands of southern Australia?, accessed August 10, 2025,

How do fire regimes affect ecosystem structure, function and diversity in grasslands and grassy woodlands of southern Australia?, accessed August 10, 2025,

Contextual Support

Contrasting Soil pH Effects on Fungal and Bacterial Growth Suggest ...

Preview of Identifying ecological barriers to restoration in temperate grassy woodlands: soil changes associated with different degradation states - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,

Identifying ecological barriers to restoration in temperate grassy woodlands: soil changes associated with different degradation states - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

(PDF) Identifying ecological barriers to restoration in temperate grassy woodlands: soil changes associated with different degradation states - ResearchGate, accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of Impacts of Logging-Associated Compaction on Forest Soils: A Meta-Analysis - Frontiers, accessed July 30, 2025,

Impacts of Logging-Associated Compaction on Forest Soils: A Meta-Analysis - Frontiers, accessed July 30, 2025,

Contextual Support Methodology Source Journal

Distribution, nature and threats to soils of the Australian Alps: A ...

Preview of Land-use effects on soil properties on the north-western slopes of New South Wales: Implications for soil condition assessment - ResearchGate, accessed August 9, 2025,

Land-use effects on soil properties on the north-western slopes of New South Wales: Implications for soil condition assessment - ResearchGate, accessed August 9, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

A comparison of rubber-tyred and steel-tracked skidders on forest soil physical properties, accessed August 9, 2025

Preview of Little left to lose: deforestation and forest degradation in Australia since European colonization | Journal of Plant Ecology | Oxford Academic, accessed July 12, 2025,

Little left to lose: deforestation and forest degradation in Australia since European colonization | Journal of Plant Ecology | Oxford Academic, accessed July 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Little left to lose: deforestation and forest degradation in Australia since European colonization | Journal of Plant Ecology | Oxford Academic

Preview of Long-term impacts of wildfire and logging on forest soils - Charles ..., accessed August 9, 2025,

Long-term impacts of wildfire and logging on forest soils - Charles ..., accessed August 9, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Long-term impacts of wildfire and logging on forest soils - Charles ..., accessed August 9, 2025,

Preview of Minimizing Soil Compaction in Pacific Northwest Forests, accessed August 9, 2025,

Minimizing Soil Compaction in Pacific Northwest Forests, accessed August 9, 2025,

Contextual Support Methodology Source Journal

GRASSLANDS & GRASSY WOODLANDS - Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, accessed August 9, 2025

Preview of National Soil Monitoring Program - CSIRO, accessed August 4, 2025,

National Soil Monitoring Program - CSIRO, accessed August 4, 2025,

Contextual Support Regulatory Framework GreyLiterature

National Soil Monitoring Program - CSIRO, accessed July 8, 2025

Preview of Peppermint Box (Eucalyptus odorata) Grassy Woodland of South Australia, accessed August 9, 2025,

Peppermint Box (Eucalyptus odorata) Grassy Woodland of South Australia, accessed August 9, 2025,

Contextual Support Methodology Source Journal

Northern Mount Lofty Ranges and Southern Flinders Ranges soil descriptions

Preview of Preventing Soil Compaction and Rutting in the Boreal ... - Gov.bc.ca, accessed August 9, 2025,

Preventing Soil Compaction and Rutting in the Boreal ... - Gov.bc.ca, accessed August 9, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Preventing Soil Compaction and Rutting in the Boreal ... - Gov.bc.ca, accessed August 9, 2025,

Preview of Resistance and resilience of the forest soil microbiome to logging-associated compaction, accessed July 30, 2025,

Resistance and resilience of the forest soil microbiome to logging-associated compaction, accessed July 30, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Use Our: Soil Penetrometer - onondaga county soil & water conservation district, accessed August 2, 2025

Preview of Seasonal variation in penetration resistance and shear strength of three rainforest soils from northeastern Queensland - ResearchGate, accessed August 9, 2025,

Seasonal variation in penetration resistance and shear strength of three rainforest soils from northeastern Queensland - ResearchGate, accessed August 9, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Seasonal variation in penetration resistance and shear strength of three rainforest soils from northeastern Queensland - ResearchGate, accessed August 9, 2025

Preview of Significant and persistent impact of timber harvesting on soil ..., accessed August 9, 2025,

Significant and persistent impact of timber harvesting on soil ..., accessed August 9, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) Identifying ecological barriers to restoration in temperate ..., accessed August 9, 2025

Preview of Soil | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed August 3, 2025,

Soil | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed August 3, 2025,

Contextual Support Methodology Source Government

D11 Control of Erosion and Sedimentation (Design) - Wingecarribee Shire Council

Preview of Soil compaction - practical considerations - Forest Research, accessed July 30, 2025,

Soil compaction - practical considerations - Forest Research, accessed July 30, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Soil on the Edge: Australia's Soil Health Crisis - Environmental Clean Technologies, accessed August 2, 2025

Preview of Soil Compaction Affects the Growth and Establishment of Street Trees in Urban Australia, accessed August 4, 2025,

Soil Compaction Affects the Growth and Establishment of Street Trees in Urban Australia, accessed August 4, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Soil compaction around Eucalyptus grandis roots: a micromorphological study, accessed August 10, 2025,

Preview of Soil Compaction and Productivity Evolution in a Harvested and Grazed Mediterranean Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) Forest - MDPI, accessed August 9, 2025,

Soil Compaction and Productivity Evolution in a Harvested and Grazed Mediterranean Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) Forest - MDPI, accessed August 9, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Soil Compaction and Productivity Evolution in a Harvested and Grazed Mediterranean Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) Forest - MDPI

Preview of Soil condition | NSW State of the Environment, accessed August 10, 2025,

Soil condition | NSW State of the Environment, accessed August 10, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Analysing water sensitive urban design options - Australian Water Association

Preview of Soil Penetration Resistance Influenced by Eucalypt Straw Management under Mechanized Harvesting - MDPI, accessed August 9, 2025,

Soil Penetration Resistance Influenced by Eucalypt Straw Management under Mechanized Harvesting - MDPI, accessed August 9, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Soil Penetration Resistance Influenced by Eucalypt Straw Management under Mechanized Harvesting - MDPI, accessed August 9, 2025

Preview of Soil Penetration Resistance Influenced by Eucalypt Straw Management under Mechanized Harvesting - ResearchGate, accessed August 9, 2025,

Soil Penetration Resistance Influenced by Eucalypt Straw Management under Mechanized Harvesting - ResearchGate, accessed August 9, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence

Soil Penetration Resistance Influenced by Eucalypt Straw Management under Mechanized Harvesting - ResearchGate, accessed August 9, 2025

Preview of Soil Physical Properties (Chapter 6) - Properties and Management of Soils in the Tropics, accessed August 9, 2025,

Soil Physical Properties (Chapter 6) - Properties and Management of Soils in the Tropics, accessed August 9, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

Soil condition | NSW State of the Environment, accessed August 2, 2025

Preview of TERN - Australia's Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, accessed July 30, 2025,

TERN - Australia's Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, accessed July 30, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Australia's State of the Forests Report 2018 - DAFF, accessed July 31, 2025,

Preview of The Influence of Compaction and Soil Strength on the Establishment of Four Australian Landscape Trees | Arboriculture & Urban Forestry

The Influence of Compaction and Soil Strength on the Establishment of Four Australian Landscape Trees | Arboriculture & Urban Forestry

Contextual Support Journal

Resistance and resilience of the forest soil microbiome to logging ...

Preview of Uncovering root compaction response mechanisms: new insights and opportunities | Journal of Experimental Botany | Oxford Academic, accessed August 9, 2025,

Uncovering root compaction response mechanisms: new insights and opportunities | Journal of Experimental Botany | Oxford Academic, accessed August 9, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Soil condition | NSW State of the Environment, accessed August 9, 2025

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
Land Use Production Forestry
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 31 May 2026

Notes

Measured at or near field capacity. Upper Detrimental Threshold: 2500 kPa AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TGP-FOR-SSC family.