Soil Structure & Compaction

AUS-ASC-FOR-SSC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

3500 kPa

Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 3500

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: MaximumOnly

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 13 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 12 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

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

Evidence & Context

Values >3000−3500 kPa indicating conditions where root growth virtually ceases.

Metric Definition:

Penetrometer resistance level at which root growth virtually ceases.

Benchmark Definition:

Critical upper threshold for penetrometer resistance beyond which root growth stops.

Justification:

Severe compaction at this level leads to profound loss of soil function.

Sources (1)

Preview of Synthesis based on Solgi et al. (2021) for undisturbed analogue, critical thresholds from GRDC (2022), Sands et al. (1979), and principles of best-practice forestry in sensitive alpine environments.

Synthesis based on Solgi et al. (2021) for undisturbed analogue, critical thresholds from GRDC (2022), Sands et al. (1979), and principles of best-practice forestry in sensitive alpine environments. Journal

high soil strength - fact sheet - Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC)

View Source

Supporting Sources (9)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Management of compaction during harvest of Pinus plantations in Queensland: I. Policy considerations for controlling machine activity. 1 - ResearchGate

(PDF) Management of compaction during harvest of Pinus plantations in Queensland: I. Policy considerations for controlling machine activity. 1 - ResearchGate

Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) Management of compaction during harvest of Pinus plantations in Queensland: I. Policy considerations for controlling machine activity. 1 - ResearchGate

View Source

Australian Alps - DCCEEW, accessed August 3, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

State forests around Bombala - Forestry Corporation, accessed August 17, 2025,

View Source

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

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

Contextual Support Journal

Impacts of Logging-Associated Compaction on Forest Soils: A Meta-Analysis - Frontiers

View Source

New South Wales Regional Forest Agreements - DAFF

Regulatory Framework Government

New South Wales Regional Forest Agreements - DAFF

View Source

Preview of Short-term effects in canopy gap area on the recovery of compacted soil caused by forest harvesting in old-growth Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) stands - iForest - Biogeosciences and Forestry

Short-term effects in canopy gap area on the recovery of compacted soil caused by forest harvesting in old-growth Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) stands - iForest - Biogeosciences and Forestry

Direct Evidence

View Source

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,

Direct Evidence Journal

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

View Source

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

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

Contextual Support Journal

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

View Source

Soil Conservation Guidebook - Gov.bc.ca

Contextual Support Journal

Soil Conservation Guidebook - Gov.bc.ca

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Alpine and Subalpine Complex
Land Use Production Forestry
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 2
Effective From 17 Mar 2026

Notes

Root growth virtually stops for most plants at this level. ConsistencyResolver applied 2026-03-23 00:19 UTC: UpperThreshold 3500 → 3500 (check: MinAboveOptimalHigh, rationale: Retain the 3500 value but move it to UpperThreshold to correct the form to MaximumOnly (auto-corrected by system).) [Auto-corrected BenchmarkForm: MinimumOnly → MaximumOnly] ConsistencyResolver applied 2026-03-23 00:19 UTC: LowerThreshold → (check: MinAboveOptimalHigh, rationale: No change needed for LowerThreshold.)

Related Benchmarks

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