Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-AIF-LVG-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 0.2 to 1 dS/m
Optimal Range: 0.2 to 1
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: OptimalRange

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 16 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 15 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard UpperThreshold Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

Based on the synthesis of available evidence, the optimal range for soil EC in the topsoil (0-30 cm) is proposed as 0.2 – 1.0 dS/m (ECe​).

Metric Definition:

Soil Electrical Conductivity (ECe​) optimal range in the topsoil (0-30 cm) for native pasture health and resilience.

Benchmark Definition:

Optimal range of soil EC supporting healthy native pasture without salt stress.

Justification:

This range supports a healthy, diverse native pasture community without inducing salt stress.

Sources (1)

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

Basin Plan water quality targets; Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (ANZG 2018/ANZECC 2000); Australia State of the Environment 2021: Inland water

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Arid Inland Floodplains & Ephemeral River Systems
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 21 Mar 2026

Notes

Ensures osmotic potential does not limit water uptake and supports ecosystem resilience.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-AIF-LVG-SEC family.

1 dS/m Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Pristine Reference
MaximumOnly Active v1
0.1 dS/m Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Pristine Reference
MinimumOnly Active v1