Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TGP-CON-SEC General High confidence

Benchmark Value

0.082 dS/m

Direction: Higher is desirable ↑

Form: Point

Scoring Curve

This curve shows how a field measurement for this indicator would score across all available benchmark forms in this context.

Evidence & Context

The mean EC value found under tree canopies (0.082 dS/m) is selected as the reference benchmark.

Metric Definition:

Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC) measured as EC of a 1:5 soil:water extract in the topsoil (0-10 cm)

Benchmark Definition:

Mean soil EC measured in the topsoil under mature eucalypt canopies in high-quality temperate grassy woodlands, representing peak ecosystem function.

Justification:

This value reflects peak ecosystem function (nutrient cycling, organic matter accumulation) and represents the 'best-on-offer' condition.

Sources (1)

(PDF) Determining reference conditions for management and ..., accessed August 5, 2025,

(PDF) Impacts of tree invasion on floristic composition of subtropical grasslands on the Bunya Mountains, Australia - ResearchGate, accessed May 19, 2025

View Source

Supporting Sources (8)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

All About Salinity - Environment and Heritage, accessed August 11, 2025

Contextual Support

Impacts of salinity | Environment, land and water - Queensland Government, accessed July 28, 2025

View Source

Preview of Australian dryland soils are acidic and nutrient-depleted, and have unique microbial communities compared with other drylands - PMC, accessed August 5, 2025,

Australian dryland soils are acidic and nutrient-depleted, and have unique microbial communities compared with other drylands - PMC, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Root Structure and Functioning for Efficient Acquisition of Phosphorus: Matching Morphological and Physiological Traits

View Source

Graham, R. C., & Wilson, B. R. (2007). The influence of scattered trees on soil properties in temperate pastures. Soil Research, 45(2), 121-131.

Contextual Support Journal

Towards restoration of grassy White and Yellow Box woodlands ..., accessed August 9, 2025

View Source

Natural Temperate Grassland of the Southern Tablelands of NSW and the Australian Capital Territory. - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

The Impact of Tree Species on Microbial Community Structure and Soil Function on Forest Plantations in the Central Hardwoods Reg, accessed August 10, 2025,

View Source

Relating apparent electrical conductivity to soil properties across the north-central USA - USDA ARS, accessed August 11, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Soil Quality Indicators - Natural Resources Conservation Service, accessed August 11, 2025

View Source

Relating apparent electrical conductivity to soil properties across the north-central USA - USDA ARS, accessed August 9, 2025

Degradation Threshold Journal

Salinity - Murray–Darling Basin Authority, accessed August 11, 2025

View Source

Salinity | Land and soil - Environment and Heritage - NSW Government, accessed August 11, 2025

Contextual Support Government

Australia state of the environment 2021: land, accessed July 28, 2025

View Source

Temperate Grasslands - Greening Australia, accessed August 4, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Managing natural areas | City of Gold Coast, accessed May 19, 2025

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
Assessment Pristine Reference
Vegetation Woodland
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 21 Mar 2026

Notes

Lower Critical Threshold: A lower threshold is not ecologically relevant for this biome, as native vegetation is adapted to naturally low-nutrient, low-EC soils. Upper Detrimental Threshold: Values consistently above ~0.25 dS/m likely indicate degradation from salinization or excessive nutrient inputs, which is detrimental to native flora.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TGP-CON-SEC family.