Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TSW-AGR-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

2 dS/m

Thresholds: Lower: 2, Upper: —

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: MinimumOnly

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 24 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 23 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

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

Evidence & Context

Upper Detrimental Threshold > 2.0 All soil types Marks the transition to a saline state. Sensitive crops and native species are negatively impacted. Indicates significant microbial stress and impaired ecosystem function (e.g., nutrient cycling).

Metric Definition:

Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC) measured as ECe (saturated paste extract)

Benchmark Definition:

This value marks the transition to a saline state where sensitive crops and native species are negatively impacted, indicating significant microbial stress and impaired ecosystem function.

Justification:

This value represents a significant tipping point where sensitive pasture and crop species begin to be negatively affected and soil microbial processes are inhibited.

Sources (1)

Preview of Stream-salinity-status-and-trends-in-south-west-WA.pdf - Government of Western Australia, accessed July 10, 2025,

Stream-salinity-status-and-trends-in-south-west-WA.pdf - Government of Western Australia, accessed July 10, 2025, GreyLiterature

Salinity in Australia - Wikipedia

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Supporting Sources (4)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Regenerative agriculture in Australia: the changing face of farming - Frontiers, accessed August 4, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

NCC: Regenerative Agriculture and Soil Health - Wet Tropics Plan, accessed July 27, 2025,

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Soil electrical conductivity (EC) is a measure of the amount ... - USDA

Contextual Support Journal

NRCS USDA. 2014. Soil Electrical Conductivity - Guides for Educators.

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Soil Health Assessment - Natural Resources Conservation Service - USDA, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Soil Health Assessment - Natural Resources Conservation Service - USDA

View Source

Preview of Which material can be used to reduce electrical conductivity of soil? And what are the disadvantages when electrical conductivity of soil increases ? | ResearchGate, accessed July 9, 2025,

Which material can be used to reduce electrical conductivity of soil? And what are the disadvantages when electrical conductivity of soil increases ? | ResearchGate, accessed July 9, 2025,

Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

UNDERSTANDING YOUR STEP BY STEP Cath Botta - Goulburn ...

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Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands
Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Superseded
Version 1
Effective From 21 Mar 2026
Effective To 21 Mar 2026

Notes

Crossing this threshold indicates a dysfunctional ecosystem with impaired soil water and nutrient regulation.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TSW-AGR-SEC family.