Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)
Benchmark Value
Scoring Curve
The scoring engine could not generate a curve for this benchmark context. The primary form is CompositeFramework, but the benchmark data may be missing required fields (e.g., optimal range bounds for an OptimalRange benchmark). This is typically a data quality issue in the benchmark pipeline.
Evidence & Context
Multiple lines of evidence indicate that freshwater aquatic ecosystem health begins to be compromised as EC levels rise above approximately 1500 µS/cm, with the ANZECC upper trigger value of 2200 µS/cm (for lowland rivers) representing a key boundary for potential risk.
Upper Detrimental Threshold
This benchmark defines the upper detrimental threshold for Water Electrical Conductivity (EC) in water under sustainable livestock grazing in Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands, above which aquatic ecosystem health is likely compromised.
Levels associated with biodiversity decline, stress on sensitive species, indicating degraded conditions.
Sources (1)
ANZECC & ARMCANZ (2000) guidelines - Water Quality Australia
View SourceSupporting Sources (1)
Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.
Effects of stock grazing on biodiversity values in temperate native grassland and grassy woodlands in SE Australia: A Literature Review
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