Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-AMR-AGR-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 0.3 to 1.5 dS/m
Thresholds: Lower: 0.05, Upper: 2
Optimal Range: 0.3 to 1.5
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 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

The proposed optimal range for the most plant-relevant measure, the saturated paste extract, is ECe​ = 0.3 – 1.5 dS/m.

Metric Definition:

Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC) as measured by the saturated paste extract (ECe), representing the plant-relevant salinity level in soil.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the optimal range of soil electrical conductivity (ECe) in Australian arid upland cropping systems, indicating a balance between nutrient availability and avoidance of salinity stress for healthy plant growth.

Justification:

This range is derived by defining the functional boundaries for high ecological health, balancing nutrient availability and avoidance of salinity stress in Australian arid upland cropping systems.

Sources (1)

Preview of National Soil Monitoring Program - CSIRO, accessed August 4, 2025,
National Soil Monitoring Program - CSIRO, accessed August 4, 2025, GreyLiterature

National Soil Monitoring Program - CSIRO

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands
  • Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

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

Notes

Lower Critical Threshold: ECe​ < 0.05 dS/m indicates nutrient poverty and poor nutrient retention capacity. Upper Detrimental Threshold: ECe​ > 2.0 dS/m indicates onset of osmotic stress and nutrient imbalances. The optimal range represents a 'safe operating space' for high ecological health.