Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TSR-FOR-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

0.15 dS/m

Range: 0 to 0.15 dS/m

Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 0.3

Optimal Range: 0 to 0.15

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

Evidence & Context

A reference value of <0.15 dS/m is proposed. This value is conservative, aligning with the "ideal" range for more intensive land uses, falling squarely into the "non-saline" classification, and most importantly, reflecting the naturally low-ion state that characterizes a healthy, undisturbed ecosystem in this biome.

Metric Definition:

Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC) is a measure of the ability of a soil-water solution to conduct an electrical current, which is directly related to the concentration of dissolved ions, or soluble salts, in the soil.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the maximum soil electrical conductivity (EC) level indicative of a healthy, undisturbed soil in tropical and subtropical rainforest production forestry systems in Australia. It reflects a conservative upper limit for non-saline, low-ion soils typical of this biome.

Justification:

The benchmark is derived by synthesis, based on the "ideal" EC for non-saline pasture systems, providing a conservative upper limit for less-intensive forestry on naturally low-EC soils. It reflects a state of high ecological health with minimal disturbance.

Sources (1)

Understanding soil tests for pastures | Soil | Farm management ..., accessed May 12, 2025 Government

Understanding soil tests for pastures

View Source

Supporting Sources (11)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

a comparisonof the soils of tropical latin america ano tropical australia

Contextual Support Journal

Queensland Soil Monitoring Program | State of the Environment Report 2020, accessed July 20, 2025,

View Source

An Updated Australian Soil Classification Map | TERN Australia, accessed on June 5, 2025

Contextual Support Government

An Updated Australian Soil Classification Map | TERN Australia, accessed August 4, 2025,

View Source

ASC - FERROSOLS - Soil Science Australia, accessed July 18, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Soil Characteristics and Fertility of the Unique Jarrah Forest of ..., accessed July 20, 2025,

View Source

Common soil types | Environment, land and water - Queensland Government, accessed August 9, 2025

Contextual Support Government

Australian Soil Classification edition 3 - CALCAROSOLS

View Source

Effects of Selection Logging on Rainforest Productivity - UQ eSpace, accessed July 20, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

A review of forest practice codes in Australia, accessed July 20, 2025

View Source

National Soil Monitoring Program - CSIRO, accessed August 4, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

National Soil Monitoring Program - CSIRO

View Source

Protecting Australia's diverse soils and landscapes | Sustainable Food Trust, accessed July 13, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

(PDF) Causes and Effects of Gully Erosion on Agricultural Lands and the Environment, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source

Soil health stocktake – Queensland - Grains Research and ..., accessed July 25, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Understanding soil tests for pastures | Soil | Farm management ..., accessed July 20, 2025,

View Source

Soil Research - CSIRO PUBLISHING, accessed July 20, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Consider the Anoxic Microsite: Acknowledging and Appreciating Spatiotemporal Redox Heterogeneity in Soils and Sediments | ACS Earth and Space Chemistry

View Source

soil survey standard test method electrical conductivity, accessed July 20, 2025,

Methodology Source

Predicting ECe of the saturated paste extract from value of EC1:5 - Canadian Science Publishing, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source

Sustainable Forest Management in the Tropics: Is Everything in Order but the Patient Still Dying - ResearchGate, accessed July 20, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Sustainable Forest Management in the Tropics: Is Everything in Order but the Patient Still Dying - ResearchGate, accessed July 20, 2025,

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical & Subtropical Rainforests
Land Use Production Forestry
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 20 Mar 2026

Notes

A lower critical threshold is not relevant for these naturally leached systems. The upper detrimental threshold at >0.30 dS/m indicates potential soil degradation such as compaction or erosion. The optimal range is any value below 0.15 dS/m.