Soil Moisture

AUS-TSW-AGR-SMO General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

22 % VWC

Direction: Higher is desirable ↑

Form: Point

Scoring Curve

Scoring curve unavailable

The scoring engine could not generate a curve for this benchmark context. The primary form is Point, 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.

Evidence & Context

Reference Value: 22% (for Loam)

Metric Definition:

Soil moisture expressed as volumetric water content (VWC) representing the optimal state of soil water availability for plant and microbial activity in semi-arid agricultural cropping systems.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the optimal soil moisture level for high ecological health in semi-arid agricultural cropping systems with loam soil, defined as 75% of Field Capacity.

Justification:

The benchmark is a scientifically derived synthesis from physical principles, best-practice guides, and qualitative evidence from high-functioning regenerative agroecosystems.

Sources (1)

Preview of 5. Field capacity (FC; a), permanent wilting point (PWP; b), and... | Download Scientific Diagram - ResearchGate, accessed July 7, 2025,

5. Field capacity (FC; a), permanent wilting point (PWP; b), and... | Download Scientific Diagram - ResearchGate, accessed July 7, 2025, GreyLiterature

AUS-TSW-AGR-SMO-20250707: Soil Moisture Benchmark Research for Nature Index (Expert Synthesis)

Supporting Sources (34)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Dryland Agriculture in Australia: Experiences and Innovations - ResearchGate, accessed July 7, 2025,

(PDF) Dryland Agriculture in Australia: Experiences and Innovations - ResearchGate, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

(PDF) Dryland Agriculture in Australia: Experiences and Innovations - ResearchGate, accessed July 6, 2025

Preview of 2024 Impact Report - Soils For Life, accessed July 7, 2025,

2024 Impact Report - Soils For Life, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support

2024 Impact Report - Soils For Life, accessed July 7, 2025,

Preview of A conceptual framework for modelling and economic assessment of regenerative agriculture in Australian mixed farming - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed July 7, 2025,

A conceptual framework for modelling and economic assessment of regenerative agriculture in Australian mixed farming - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

A conceptual framework for modelling and economic assessment of regenerative agriculture in Australian mixed farming - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed July 7, 2025,

Preview of Chapter 3 : Desertification — Special Report on Climate Change and Land - IPCC, accessed July 7, 2025,

Chapter 3 : Desertification — Special Report on Climate Change and Land - IPCC, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Chapter 3 : Desertification — Special Report on Climate Change and Land - IPCC, accessed July 16, 2025

Preview of Crop Residue Orientation Influences Soil Water and Wheat Growth Under Rainfed Mediterranean Conditions - MDPI, accessed July 7, 2025,

Crop Residue Orientation Influences Soil Water and Wheat Growth Under Rainfed Mediterranean Conditions - MDPI, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Crop Residue Orientation Influences Soil Water and Wheat Growth Under Rainfed Mediterranean Conditions - MDPI, accessed July 7, 2025,

Preview of Effects of Agricultural Cropping Systems on Soil Water Capacity: The Case in Cross-Border Altai - Frontiers Publishing Partnerships, accessed July 7, 2025,

Effects of Agricultural Cropping Systems on Soil Water Capacity: The Case in Cross-Border Altai - Frontiers Publishing Partnerships, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Effects of Agricultural Cropping Systems on Soil Water Capacity: The Case in Cross-Border Altai - Frontiers Publishing Partnerships, accessed July 7, 2025,

Preview of Effects of Waterlogging Stress on Root Growth and Soil Nutrient Loss of Winter Wheat at Seedling Stage - MDPI, accessed July 7, 2025,

Effects of Waterlogging Stress on Root Growth and Soil Nutrient Loss of Winter Wheat at Seedling Stage - MDPI, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Effects of Waterlogging Stress on Root Growth and Soil Nutrient Loss of Winter Wheat at Seedling Stage - MDPI, accessed July 7, 2025,

Preview of Enhancing crop yield and conserving soil moisture through mulching practices in dryland agriculture - Frontiers, accessed July 7, 2025,

Enhancing crop yield and conserving soil moisture through mulching practices in dryland agriculture - Frontiers, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Enhancing crop yield and conserving soil moisture through mulching practices in dryland agriculture - Frontiers, accessed July 7, 2025,

Preview of Excessive Soil Water Effects at Various Stages of Development on the Growth and Yield of Corn, accessed July 7, 2025,

Excessive Soil Water Effects at Various Stages of Development on the Growth and Yield of Corn, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Excessive Soil Water Effects at Various Stages of Development on the Growth and Yield of Corn, accessed July 7, 2025,

Preview of Great Western Woodlands SuperSite | Climate Change Impacts - TERN Australia, accessed July 10, 2025,

Great Western Woodlands SuperSite | Climate Change Impacts - TERN Australia, accessed July 10, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

URBAN FOREST STRATEGY - Your Say South Perth, accessed July 13, 2025

Preview of Impacts of Agricultural Management Practices on Soil Health - NCBI, accessed May 11, 2025

Impacts of Agricultural Management Practices on Soil Health - NCBI, accessed May 11, 2025

Contextual Support

Impacts of Agricultural Management Practices on Soil Health - NCBI, accessed August 28, 2025

Preview of Interpretation of Soil Moisture Content to Determine Soil Field Capacity and Avoid Over-Irrigating Sandy Soils Using Soil Moisture Sensors - UF/IFAS EDIS, accessed July 7, 2025,

Interpretation of Soil Moisture Content to Determine Soil Field Capacity and Avoid Over-Irrigating Sandy Soils Using Soil Moisture Sensors - UF/IFAS EDIS, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support Methodology Source Government

7.10 Soil water storage, capacity, and fluxes - NIWA Client report, accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of Modern Soil Moisture Monitoring for Drought Resilience, accessed July 7, 2025,

Modern Soil Moisture Monitoring for Drought Resilience, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Modern Soil Moisture Monitoring for Drought Resilience, accessed July 7, 2025,

Preview of Monitoring soil moisture in dryland cropping areas - Agriculture Victoria, accessed July 7, 2025,

Monitoring soil moisture in dryland cropping areas - Agriculture Victoria, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Monitoring soil moisture in dryland cropping areas - Agriculture Victoria, accessed July 7, 2025,

Preview of Orchard Irrigation: Soil Water Content - Intermountain Fruit, accessed July 7, 2025,

Orchard Irrigation: Soil Water Content - Intermountain Fruit, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Orchard Irrigation: Soil Water Content - Intermountain Fruit, accessed July 7, 2025,

Preview of Plant available water: How do I determine field capacity and permanent wilting point?, accessed July 7, 2025,

Plant available water: How do I determine field capacity and permanent wilting point?, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support Methodology Source GreyLiterature

A global dataset of remote sensing-based soil critical point and ...

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 GreyLiterature

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

Preview of Preventing the Negative Effects Moisture Can Have On Agriculture, accessed July 7, 2025,

Preventing the Negative Effects Moisture Can Have On Agriculture, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support

Preventing the Negative Effects Moisture Can Have On Agriculture, accessed July 7, 2025,

Preview of Semi-arid woodlands (shrubby sub-formation) | NSW Environment, Energy and Science, accessed July 12, 2025, )

Semi-arid woodlands (shrubby sub-formation) | NSW Environment, Energy and Science, accessed July 12, 2025, )

Contextual Support Government

Semi-arid woodlands (grassy sub-formation) | NSW Environment, Energy and Science

Preview of Shrubland: Mission: Biomes, accessed July 7, 2025,

Shrubland: Mission: Biomes, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Shrubland: Mission: Biomes, accessed July 7, 2025,

Preview of Soil and Crop Management Practices to Minimize the Impact of Waterlogging on Crop Productivity - ACIAR Research, accessed July 7, 2025,

Soil and Crop Management Practices to Minimize the Impact of Waterlogging on Crop Productivity - ACIAR Research, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support

Managing waterlogging in crops - Local Land Services - NSW Government, accessed July 21, 2025

Preview of Soil Health Assessment and Management: Recent Development in Science and Practices, accessed July 7, 2025,

Soil Health Assessment and Management: Recent Development in Science and Practices, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support

Soil Health Assessment and Management: Recent Development in Science and Practices, accessed July 7, 2025,

Preview of Soil moisture influence on nutrient availability in the soil. - International Scholars Journals, accessed July 7, 2025,

Soil moisture influence on nutrient availability in the soil. - International Scholars Journals, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Soil moisture influence on nutrient availability in the soil. - International Scholars Journals, accessed July 7, 2025,

Preview of Soil Moisture Measurement In Dry Farming | Precisa, accessed July 7, 2025,

Soil Moisture Measurement In Dry Farming | Precisa, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Soil Moisture Measurement In Dry Farming | Precisa, accessed July 7, 2025,

Preview of Soil Quality Indicators - Natural Resources Conservation Service, accessed July 7, 2025,

Soil Quality Indicators - Natural Resources Conservation Service, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Mixed Effects of Soil Compaction on the Nitrogen Cycle Under Pea and Wheat - PMC

Preview of Soil water storage properties - Minnesota Stormwater Manual, accessed July 7, 2025,

Soil water storage properties - Minnesota Stormwater Manual, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support Irrelevant

Soil water storage properties - Minnesota Stormwater Manual, accessed July 7, 2025,

Preview of Southeast Australia temperate savanna - Wikipedia, accessed August 4, 2025

Southeast Australia temperate savanna - Wikipedia, accessed August 4, 2025

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Southeast Australia temperate savanna - Wikipedia

Preview of The Maynards at Willydah - Soils For Life, accessed July 7, 2025,

The Maynards at Willydah - Soils For Life, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support

The Maynards at Willydah - Soils For Life, accessed July 7, 2025,

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,

Contextual Support Government

Resource condition

Preview of Water available in soil, accessed July 7, 2025,

Water available in soil, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

A review of soil waterlogging impacts, mechanisms, and adaptive strategies - Frontiers

Preview of Waterlogging effects on soils and wheat crops in the high rainfall zone of Victoria - Agronomy Australia Proceedings, accessed July 7, 2025,

Waterlogging effects on soils and wheat crops in the high rainfall zone of Victoria - Agronomy Australia Proceedings, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Waterlogging effects on soils and wheat crops in the high rainfall zone of Victoria - Agronomy Australia Proceedings, accessed July 7, 2025,

Preview of Waterlogging in Australian agricultural landscapes: a review of plant responses and crop models - ResearchGate, accessed July 7, 2025,

Waterlogging in Australian agricultural landscapes: a review of plant responses and crop models - ResearchGate, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Waterlogging in Australian agricultural landscapes: a review of plant responses and crop models - ResearchGate

Preview of What are the best sustainable practices for increasing wheat yield in semi-arid regions?, accessed July 7, 2025,

What are the best sustainable practices for increasing wheat yield in semi-arid regions?, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

What are the best sustainable practices for increasing wheat yield in semi-arid regions?, accessed July 7, 2025,

Preview of Wheat Crop under Waterlogging: Potential Soil and Plant Effects - PMC, accessed July 7, 2025,

Wheat Crop under Waterlogging: Potential Soil and Plant Effects - PMC, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Wheat Crop under Waterlogging: Potential Soil and Plant Effects - PMC, accessed July 7, 2025,

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands
Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
Assessment Conservation Target
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 1 Jun 2026

Notes

No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always better up to natural saturation. The benchmark is soil-texture dependent due to differences in water holding properties.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TSW-AGR-SMO family.