Soil Water Infiltration Rate

AUS-TGP-AGR-SWI General High confidence

Benchmark Value

5 mm/hr

Thresholds: Lower: 5, Upper: —

Direction: Higher is desirable ↑

Form: LowerThreshold

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 3 benchmarks together — the Point form drives the primary score, while 2 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

Point Primary LowerThreshold Guard MinimumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

A Lower Critical Threshold is established at ≤ 5 mm/hr. Rates below this level are indicative of severe soil structural degradation, such as compaction or sodicity, which compromises long-term productivity and ecosystem health by increasing runoff and erosion risk.

Metric Definition:

Lower Critical Threshold for Soil Water Infiltration Rate indicating severe soil structural degradation.

Benchmark Definition:

The infiltration rate below which soil structural degradation is severe and ecosystem function is impaired.

Justification:

Based on field data indicating that paddocks with poorly structured soil average around 5 mm/hr, marking a state of functional collapse.

Sources (1)

Healthy soils and water infiltration in the paddock - Local Land Services - NSW Government Government

Healthy soils and water infiltration in the paddock - Local Land Services - NSW Government

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Supporting Sources (8)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Comparing infiltration rates in soils managed with conventional and alternative farming methods: A meta-analysis | PLOS One, accessed July 6, 2025,

Comparing infiltration rates in soils managed with conventional and alternative farming methods: A meta-analysis | PLOS One, accessed July 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Critical review of the impacts of grazing intensity on soil organic carbon storage and other soil quality indicators in extensively managed grasslands - PubMed Central, accessed July 10, 2025,

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Preview of Opportunities and Challenges for Cover Cropping in Sustainable Agriculture Systems in Southern Australia - MDPI, accessed July 18, 2025,

Opportunities and Challenges for Cover Cropping in Sustainable Agriculture Systems in Southern Australia - MDPI, accessed July 18, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Developments in stubble retention in cropping systems in southern Australia, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source

Preview of Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed August 5, 2025,

Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed August 28, 2025,

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Renovating damaged pastures and soils | Managing wet soils | Dairy | Livestock and animals | Agriculture Victoria

Contextual Support Government

Renovating damaged pastures and soils | Managing wet soils | Dairy | Livestock and animals | Agriculture Victoria

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Soil Health AssessmentGuide - Soils For Life

Methodology Source

Comparing infiltration rates in soils managed with conventional and alternative farming methods: A meta-analysis

View Source

Soil Health, accessed August 4, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Soil Health, accessed August 4, 2025

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TERN – Australian Acoustic Observatory | A2O, accessed July 22, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

TERN – Australian Acoustic Observatory | A2O

View Source

Water repellent soils - CSIRO

Contextual Support Government

Water repellent soils - CSIRO, accessed July 28, 2025

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
Assessment Conservation Target
Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 17 Mar 2026

Notes

Indicates severe degradation such as compaction or sodicity leading to increased runoff and erosion risk.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TGP-AGR-SWI family.