Soil Moisture

AUS-ASC-LVG-SMO General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Thresholds: Lower: 15, Upper: —
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: LowerThreshold

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 MinimumOnly Guard LowerThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard CompositeFramework Guard OptimalRange Guard

Evidence & Context

For field conditions in Alpine Humus Soils, sustained VSM below 15-20% would likely be critical, leading to impaired pasture recovery, reduced ground cover, and increased erosion risk.

Metric Definition:

Volumetric Soil Moisture (VSM %) at or below which significant ecological stress and degradation occurs.

Benchmark Definition:

The lower critical threshold is the soil moisture level below which ecological function and pasture health are significantly impaired in Alpine and Subalpine Complex under Livestock Grazing & Pasture.

Justification:

Indirect evidence and conceptual understanding link sustained VSM below 15-20% to critical ecological stress in Alpine Humus Soils.

Sources (2)

Preview of Mortality of Australian alpine grasses (Poa spp ... - Oxford Academic
Mortality of Australian alpine grasses (Poa spp ... - Oxford Academic

Mortality of Australian alpine grasses (Poa spp.) after drought: species differences and ecological patterns - Oxford Academic, accessed on May 28, 2025,

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Preview of Soil Moisture Monitoring - Dairy Australia
Soil Moisture Monitoring - Dairy Australia Government

Soil Moisture Monitoring - Dairy Australia

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Supporting Sources (33)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of ABARES Weekly Australian Climate, Water and Agricultural Update
ABARES Weekly Australian Climate, Water and Agricultural Update
Contextual Support Journal

ABARES Weekly Australian Climate, Water and Agricultural Update

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Preview of Acclimation to water stress improves tolerance to heat and freezing ...
Acclimation to water stress improves tolerance to heat and freezing ...
Contextual Support Journal

Acclimation to water stress improves tolerance to heat and freezing ...

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Preview of Alpine Ecosystems | Request PDF - ResearchGate
Alpine Ecosystems | Request PDF - ResearchGate
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Alpine Ecosystems | Request PDF - ResearchGate

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Preview of Alpine Grazing Taskforce. (2005). Report of the Alpine Grazing Taskforce. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria.
Alpine Grazing Taskforce. (2005). Report of the Alpine Grazing Taskforce. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria.
Contextual Support Journal

Biodiversity | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed on May 25, 2025,

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Preview of Alpine soils in Australia with reference to conditions in Europe and New Zealand, accessed August 28, 2025,
Alpine soils in Australia with reference to conditions in Europe and New Zealand, accessed August 28, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Alpine soils in Australia with reference to conditions in Europe and New Zealand, accessed August 3, 2025,

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Preview of An Assessment of the scientific adequacy of grazing studies in the Victorian High Country 1945 - 1998, with some recommendations for future research, accessed on May 25, 2025,
An Assessment of the scientific adequacy of grazing studies in the Victorian High Country 1945 - 1998, with some recommendations for future research, accessed on May 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

An Assessment of the scientific adequacy of grazing studies in the Victorian High Country 1945 - 1998, with some recommendations for future research, accessed May 28, 2025

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Preview of Assessment of livestock carrying capacity in the alpine grasslands of the Kashmir Himalayas - Frontiers Publishing Partnerships
Assessment of livestock carrying capacity in the alpine grasslands of the Kashmir Himalayas - Frontiers Publishing Partnerships
Contextual Support Journal

Assessment of livestock carrying capacity in the alpine grasslands of the Kashmir Himalayas - Frontiers Publishing Partnerships

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Preview of Australia wide daily volumetric soil moisture estimates
Australia wide daily volumetric soil moisture estimates
Methodology Source Government

Building drought resilience Prepare, respond, recover - Healthy Land & Water, accessed July 18, 2025

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Preview of Australia wide daily volumetric soil moisture estimates - TERN Data Discovery Portal, accessed July 19, 2025,
Australia wide daily volumetric soil moisture estimates - TERN Data Discovery Portal, accessed July 19, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Australia wide daily volumetric soil moisture estimates, accessed July 18, 2025

View Source
Preview of Depth extrapolation of field-scale soil moisture time series derived with cosmic-ray neutron sensing (CRNS) using the soil moisture analytical relationship (SMAR) model
Depth extrapolation of field-scale soil moisture time series derived with cosmic-ray neutron sensing (CRNS) using the soil moisture analytical relationship (SMAR) model
Methodology Source Journal

Depth extrapolation of field-scale soil moisture time series derived with cosmic-ray neutron sensing (CRNS) using the soil moisture analytical relationship (SMAR) model

View Source
Preview of Ecological, biophysical and animal production responses to strategic-rest grazing in Australia and worldwide - Research UNE
Ecological, biophysical and animal production responses to strategic-rest grazing in Australia and worldwide - Research UNE
Contextual Support

Implications of grazing management systems incorporating planned rest for biodiversity conservation and landscape function in rangelands - Research UNE

View Source
Preview of Getting the measure of soil moisture in Australia | TERN Australia, accessed July 19, 2025,
Getting the measure of soil moisture in Australia | TERN Australia, accessed July 19, 2025,
Direct Evidence Government

Tropical Forests and Grasslands (Savanna) - Soils 4 Teachers, accessed May 11, 2025,

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Preview of Grazing Intensity Accelerates Surface Soil C and N Cycling in Alpine Pastures as Revealed by Soil Genes and δ 15 N Ratio - MDPI, accessed May 13, 2025,
Grazing Intensity Accelerates Surface Soil C and N Cycling in Alpine Pastures as Revealed by Soil Genes and δ 15 N Ratio - MDPI, accessed May 13, 2025,
Direct Evidence Journal

Grazing Intensity Accelerates Surface Soil C and N Cycling in Alpine Pastures as Revealed by Soil Genes and b4 15 N Ratio - MDPI

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Preview of Growth of young cattle grazing high-moisture winter forages in a temperate environment was not affected by access to drinking water - CSIRO Publishing
Growth of young cattle grazing high-moisture winter forages in a temperate environment was not affected by access to drinking water - CSIRO Publishing
Contextual Support Journal

Growth of young cattle grazing high-moisture winter forages in a temperate environment was not affected by access to drinking water - CSIRO Publishing

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Preview of Gully erosion assessment and control guide - Local Land Services, accessed on May 29, 2025,
Gully erosion assessment and control guide - Local Land Services, accessed on May 29, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Climate change impacts on our soils - AdaptNSW

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Preview of Impact of land management on available water capacity and water storage of peatlands | Request PDF - ResearchGate
Impact of land management on available water capacity and water storage of peatlands | Request PDF - ResearchGate
Contextual Support Journal

Impact of land management on available water capacity and water storage of peatlands | Request PDF - ResearchGate

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Preview of Land management for graziers | Business Queensland, accessed August 8, 2025
Land management for graziers | Business Queensland, accessed August 8, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Reducing the impacts of grazing on water quality - EPA Victoria, accessed July 19, 2025,

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Preview of Managing waterlogging in crops and pastures in South West Western Australia
Managing waterlogging in crops and pastures in South West Western Australia
Contextual Support

Managing waterlogging in crops and pastures in South West Western Australia

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Preview of Mapping near-real-time soil moisture dynamics over Tasmania with transfer learning
Mapping near-real-time soil moisture dynamics over Tasmania with transfer learning
Contextual Support Journal

Soil Research - CSIRO PUBLISHING

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Preview of Mortality of Australian alpine grasses (Poa spp.) after drought: species differences and ecological patterns - Oxford Academic
Mortality of Australian alpine grasses (Poa spp.) after drought: species differences and ecological patterns - Oxford Academic
Contextual Support Journal

Mortality of Australian alpine grasses (Poa spp.) after drought: species differences and ecological patterns - Oxford Academic

View Source
Preview of New piecewise-continuous hydraulic functions for modeling preferential flow in an intermittent-flood-irrigated field - ResearchGate
New piecewise-continuous hydraulic functions for modeling preferential flow in an intermittent-flood-irrigated field - ResearchGate
Methodology Source Journal

New piecewise-continuous hydraulic functions for modeling preferential flow in an intermittent-flood-irrigated field - ResearchGate

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Preview of On the role of expert systems and numerical taxonomy in soil classification - ResearchGate
On the role of expert systems and numerical taxonomy in soil classification - ResearchGate
Methodology Source Journal

On the role of expert systems and numerical taxonomy in soil classification - ResearchGate

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Preview of openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au, accessed on May 31, 2025
openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au, accessed on May 31, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au, accessed on May 31, 2025

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Preview of Overgrazing & Reducing Grazing Pressure | Bush Heritage Australia, accessed July 30, 2025,
Overgrazing & Reducing Grazing Pressure | Bush Heritage Australia, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support

STOCK RESERVE - The Norfolk Islander, accessed July 30, 2025,

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Preview of People using TERN: Renée Marchin | TERN Australia
People using TERN: Renée Marchin | TERN Australia
Contextual Support Government

People using TERN: Renée Marchin | TERN Australia

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Preview of Productivity and Quality of Alpine Grassland Vary With ... - Frontiers
Productivity and Quality of Alpine Grassland Vary With ... - Frontiers
Contextual Support Journal

Productivity and Quality of Alpine Grassland Vary With ... - Frontiers

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Preview of Restoring the mires of the Australian Alps following the 2003 wildfires | IUCN UK Peatland Programme
Restoring the mires of the Australian Alps following the 2003 wildfires | IUCN UK Peatland Programme
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Restoring the mires of the Australian Alps following the 2003 wildfires | IUCN UK Peatland Programme

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Preview of SNOWY MOUNTAIN FORESTED HILLSLOPE SOIL CHARACTERISATION, SOIL HYDROLOGICAL PROPERTIES AND SOIL GEOCHEMISTRY PROGRAM
SNOWY MOUNTAIN FORESTED HILLSLOPE SOIL CHARACTERISATION, SOIL HYDROLOGICAL PROPERTIES AND SOIL GEOCHEMISTRY PROGRAM
Contextual Support Journal

New South Wales Vegetation classification and Assessment: Part 3 Plant communities of the NSW Brigalow Belt South, Nandewar an - Botanic Gardens of Sydney, accessed March 28, 2026,

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Preview of TERN. TERN – Australia's Ecosystem Observatory Network, highlights for 2018-2023.
TERN. TERN – Australia's Ecosystem Observatory Network, highlights for 2018-2023.
Contextual Support Government

TERN - Australia's Ecosystem Observatory Network

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Preview of theaustralianalpsnationalparks.org, accessed on May 29, 2025,
theaustralianalpsnationalparks.org, accessed on May 29, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Maximising Plant Growth: The Importance of Potassium Fertiliser - Plant Needs Pty. Ltd., accessed May 28, 2025,

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Preview of Waterlogging – the science - Department of Agriculture and Food
Waterlogging – the science - Department of Agriculture and Food
Contextual Support

Waterlogging – the science - Department of Agriculture and Food

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Preview of Waterlogging | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed July 19, 2025,
Waterlogging | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed July 19, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Waterlogging | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au

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Preview of www.climatechange.environment.nsw.gov.au
www.climatechange.environment.nsw.gov.au
Contextual Support

www.climatechange.environment.nsw.gov.au

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Alpine and Subalpine Complex
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 16 Mar 2026

Notes

This threshold is highly soil-specific and depends on organic matter content and texture; exact VSM% at wilting point is unknown.