Soil Structure & Compaction

AUS-ASC-CON-SSC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 100 to 250 kPa
Optimal Range: 100 to 250
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 8 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 7 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary Point Guard OptimalRange Guard LowerThreshold Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard

Evidence & Context

For Australian alpine and subalpine conservation areas, particularly those dominated by Alpine Humus Soils and similar highly organic soil types, the optimal range for penetrometer resistance is likely < 500 kPa. Within this broader range, the ideal condition, representing the highest environmental health, would be values approaching the lower end, such as approximately 100-250 kPa.

Metric Definition:

Soil penetration resistance (PR) measured as penetrometer resistance in kPa.

Benchmark Definition:

Optimal functional range of soil penetration resistance ensuring minimal restriction to root growth, water infiltration, and aeration.

Justification:

Derived from benchmark value and general agricultural guideline for 'not compacted' soils; reflects ideal undisturbed conditions.

Sources (2)

Preview of Full article: Effects of Recreational Traffic on Alpine Plant Communities in the Northern Canadian Rockies
Full article: Effects of Recreational Traffic on Alpine Plant Communities in the Northern Canadian Rockies Journal

Full article: Effects of Recreational Traffic on Alpine Plant Communities in the Northern Canadian Rockies, accessed May 28, 2025

View Source
Preview of high soil strength - fact sheet - Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC)
high soil strength - fact sheet - Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC)

high soil strength - fact sheet - Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), accessed May 28, 2025

View Source

Supporting Sources (17)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Effects of recreational traffic on alpine plant communities in ..., accessed May 28, 2025
(PDF) Effects of recreational traffic on alpine plant communities in ..., accessed May 28, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) Effects of recreational traffic on alpine plant communities in ..., accessed May 28, 2025

View Source
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,
Contextual Support Journal

Soil compaction - practical considerations - Forest Research, accessed August 11, 2025

View Source
Preview of A survey study on Soil compaction problems for new methods in agriculture - ResearchGate, accessed May 28, 2025
A survey study on Soil compaction problems for new methods in agriculture - ResearchGate, accessed May 28, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

A survey study on Soil compaction problems for new methods in agriculture - ResearchGate, accessed May 28, 2025

View Source
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

View Source
Preview of Distribution, nature and threats to soils of the Australian Alps: A review - ResearchGate, accessed August 28, 2025,
Distribution, nature and threats to soils of the Australian Alps: A review - ResearchGate, accessed August 28, 2025,
Contextual Support

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

View Source
Preview of Full article: Impacts of Road Disturbance on Soil Properties and on Exotic Plant Occurrence in Subalpine Areas of the Australian Alps - Taylor & Francis Online, accessed May 28, 2025
Full article: Impacts of Road Disturbance on Soil Properties and on Exotic Plant Occurrence in Subalpine Areas of the Australian Alps - Taylor & Francis Online, accessed May 28, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Rehabilitation Field Guide | Australian Alps National Parks, accessed March 28, 2026,

View Source
Preview of Impacts of Nature Tourism on the Mount Kosciuszko Alpine Area ..., accessed May 28, 2025
Impacts of Nature Tourism on the Mount Kosciuszko Alpine Area ..., accessed May 28, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Impacts of Nature Tourism on the Mount Kosciuszko Alpine Area ..., accessed May 28, 2025

View Source
Preview of Mortality of Australian alpine grasses (Poa spp ... - Oxford Academic
Mortality of Australian alpine grasses (Poa spp ... - Oxford Academic
Contextual Support

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

View Source
Preview of Nitrogen dynamics in alpine soils of south ... - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 28, 2025,
Nitrogen dynamics in alpine soils of south ... - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 28, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Nitrogen dynamics in alpine soils of south-eastern Australia - CSIRO Publishing

View Source
Preview of NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. (n.d.). The Australian Alps Bioregion.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. (n.d.). The Australian Alps Bioregion.
Contextual Support Journal

Monitoring the impact of feral horses on vegetation condition using remotely sensed fPAR: A case study in Australia's alpine parks

View Source
Preview of Rehabilitation Field Guide | Australian Alps National Parks, accessed on May 25, 2025,
Rehabilitation Field Guide | Australian Alps National Parks, accessed on May 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Costin, A. B. 1954. A Study of the Ecosystems of the Monaro Region of New South Wales.

View Source
Preview of RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CONE PENETRATION RESISTANCE, BULK DENSITY, AND MOISTURE CONTENT IN UNCULTIVATED, REPACKED, AND CULTIVATED, accessed August 4, 2025,
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CONE PENETRATION RESISTANCE, BULK DENSITY, AND MOISTURE CONTENT IN UNCULTIVATED, REPACKED, AND CULTIVATED, accessed August 4, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CONE PENETRATION RESISTANCE, BULK DENSITY, AND MOISTURE CONTENT IN UNCULTIVATED, REPACKED, AND CULTIVATED, accessed May 28, 2025

View Source
Preview of Soil ecosystem health and services – Evaluation of ecological indicators susceptible to chemical stressors | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed May 28, 2025
Soil ecosystem health and services – Evaluation of ecological indicators susceptible to chemical stressors | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed May 28, 2025
Contextual Support

Soil ecosystem health and services – Evaluation of ecological indicators susceptible to chemical stressors | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed May 28, 2025

View Source
Preview of Soil Penetration Resistance as a Soil Health Indicator - SDSU Extension - South Dakota State University, accessed August 4, 2025,
Soil Penetration Resistance as a Soil Health Indicator - SDSU Extension - South Dakota State University, accessed August 4, 2025,
Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

Soil compaction and strength; measurement methods and influences on perennial grass growth.

View Source
Preview of theaustralianalpsnationalparks.org, accessed on May 25, 2025,
theaustralianalpsnationalparks.org, accessed on May 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

theaustralianalpsnationalparks.org

View Source
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,

View Source
Preview of www.environment.nsw.gov.au, accessed May 28, 2025
www.environment.nsw.gov.au, accessed May 28, 2025
Contextual Support

www.environment.nsw.gov.au, accessed May 28, 2025

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Alpine and Subalpine Complex
  • Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

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

Notes

Range is likely conservative for pristine alpine soils; lack of extensive PR data limits higher confidence. [Migration] Original wider evidence range: 100 – 500 (retained OptimalRange: 100 – 250)

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-ASC-CON-SSC family.

122.6 kPa Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Conservation Target
Point Active v1