Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TGP-CON-SEC General High confidence

Benchmark Value

0.25 dS/m

Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 0.25

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 10 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 9 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

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

Evidence & Context

An EC value consistently exceeding 0.25 dS/m in the topsoil of this biome should be considered an indicator of potential degradation, likely linked to salinization or excessive nutrient inputs.

Metric Definition:

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

Benchmark Definition:

Upper detrimental threshold of soil EC indicating onset of salinization and ecosystem degradation.

Justification:

Values above this threshold indicate landscape-scale salinization or excessive nutrient inputs detrimental to native flora.

Sources (1)

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

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

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

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Supporting Sources (8)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

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

Direct Evidence

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

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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

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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

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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

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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,

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