Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-AMR-FOR-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

0.1 dS/m
Direction: Higher 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 13 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 12 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

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

Evidence & Context

Therefore, the lower critical threshold for Soil EC in this context is proposed as: < 0.1 dS/m (measured as ECe​)

Metric Definition:

Electrical conductivity of the saturated paste extract (ECe​) indicating critical nutrient deficiency

Benchmark Definition:

This threshold represents the electrical conductivity level below which soils are likely critically deficient in soluble nutrients necessary for sustaining forest health in production forestry in Australia's Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands.

Justification:

Below this level, it is highly probable that the soil is critically deficient in soluble base cations and other nutrients necessary to maintain long-term forest health.

Sources (1)

Preview of Relating apparent electrical conductivity to soil properties across the North-Central USA, accessed July 30, 2025
Relating apparent electrical conductivity to soil properties across the North-Central USA, accessed July 30, 2025 Journal

Relating apparent electrical conductivity to soil properties across the North-Central USA, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source

Supporting Sources (30)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) The Extraordinary Nature of the Great Western Woodlands - ResearchGate, accessed July 10, 2025,
(PDF) The Extraordinary Nature of the Great Western Woodlands - ResearchGate, accessed July 10, 2025,
Contextual Support

(PDF) The Extraordinary Nature of the Great Western Woodlands - ResearchGate

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Preview of A Biodiversity and Cultural Conservation Strategy for the Great Western Woodlands - DBCA Library, accessed July 15, 2025
A Biodiversity and Cultural Conservation Strategy for the Great Western Woodlands - DBCA Library, accessed July 15, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Sustainable Forest Management Framework - Native forest and plantations - Government of Western Australia, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of A Guide To Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC): Description, Importance & Soil EC Maps, accessed July 30, 2025
A Guide To Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC): Description, Importance & Soil EC Maps, accessed July 30, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Applying Soil Health Indicators to Encourage Sustainable Soil Use: The Transition from Scientific Study to Practical Application - MDPI, accessed July 30, 2025

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Preview of Australia's Framework of Criteria and Indicators - DAFF, accessed July 12, 2025,
Australia's Framework of Criteria and Indicators - DAFF, accessed July 12, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Soil health and stability monitoring in forests - Natural Resources Commission, accessed July 30, 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 2, 2025,
Australian dryland soils are acidic and nutrient-depleted, and have unique microbial communities compared with other drylands - PMC, accessed August 2, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Northern and Yorke | Soil management - Landscape South Australia, accessed July 28, 2025

View Source
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

View Source
Preview of Australian dryland soils are acidic and nutrient-depleted, and have unique microbial communities compared with other drylands - PMC, accessed July 30, 2025
Australian dryland soils are acidic and nutrient-depleted, and have unique microbial communities compared with other drylands - PMC, accessed July 30, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Australian dryland soils are acidic and nutrient-depleted, and have unique microbial communities compared with other drylands - PMC, accessed July 30, 2025

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Preview of Australian Soil: Definition, Classification, Types and Quality - Access EP, accessed July 30, 2025
Australian Soil: Definition, Classification, Types and Quality - Access EP, accessed July 30, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Australian Soil: Definition, Classification, Types and Quality - Access EP

View Source
Preview of Categories - Electrical Conductivity - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed July 30, 2025
Categories - Electrical Conductivity - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed July 30, 2025
Contextual Support Government

FGARA Digital Soil Mapping Output - Electrical Conductivity of Soil Surface - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed July 30, 2025

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Preview of Climate of South Australia - Britannica, accessed July 22, 2025,
Climate of South Australia - Britannica, accessed July 22, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Mediterranean forests, woodlands and scrubs – Australian Acoustic Observatory | A2O, accessed July 13, 2025

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Preview of Effect of NaCl on emergence and growth of a range of provenances of Eucalyptus citriodora, Eucalyptus populnea, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Acacia salicina - ResearchGate, accessed July 11, 2025,
Effect of NaCl on emergence and growth of a range of provenances of Eucalyptus citriodora, Eucalyptus populnea, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Acacia salicina - ResearchGate, accessed July 11, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Effect of NaCl on emergence and growth of a range of provenances of Eucalyptus citriodora, Eucalyptus populnea, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Acacia salicina - ResearchGate, accessed July 30, 2025

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Preview of Effect of soil salinity on growth of irrigated plantation Eucalyptus in ...
Effect of soil salinity on growth of irrigated plantation Eucalyptus in ...
Contextual Support Journal

Influence of priming on Eucalyptus spp seeds' tolerance to salt stress - SciELO, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of Effect of Soil Water on Apparent Soil Electrical Conductivity and Texture Relationships in a Dryland Field - USDA ARS, accessed July 11, 2025,
Effect of Soil Water on Apparent Soil Electrical Conductivity and Texture Relationships in a Dryland Field - USDA ARS, accessed July 11, 2025,
Methodology Source Journal

4 Theoretical Insight on - the Measurement of Soil Electrical Conductivity - USDA ARS, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of Full article: Effects of Eucalyptus species plantations and crop land on selected soil properties - Taylor & Francis Online, accessed July 30, 2025
Full article: Effects of Eucalyptus species plantations and crop land on selected soil properties - Taylor & Francis Online, accessed July 30, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Full article: Effects of Eucalyptus species plantations and crop land on selected soil properties - Taylor & Francis Online, accessed July 30, 2025

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Preview of Great Western Woodlands - Wikipedia, accessed July 10, 2025,
Great Western Woodlands - Wikipedia, accessed July 10, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Great Western Woodlands - Wikipedia, accessed July 12, 2025,

View Source
Preview of How Can Soil Electrical Conductivity Measurements Control Soil Pollution? - ResearchGate, accessed July 30, 2025
How Can Soil Electrical Conductivity Measurements Control Soil Pollution? - ResearchGate, accessed July 30, 2025
Methodology Source Journal

How Can Soil Electrical Conductivity Measurements Control Soil Pollution? - ResearchGate, accessed July 30, 2025

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Preview of Mapping the impact of subsoil constraints on soil available water capacity and potential crop yield - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 30, 2025
Mapping the impact of subsoil constraints on soil available water capacity and potential crop yield - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 30, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Mapping the impact of subsoil constraints on soil available water capacity and potential crop yield - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 28, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Modeling the electrical conductivity relationship between saturated paste extract and 1:2.5 dilution in different soil textural classes - Frontiers, accessed July 30, 2025
Modeling the electrical conductivity relationship between saturated paste extract and 1:2.5 dilution in different soil textural classes - Frontiers, accessed July 30, 2025
Methodology Source Journal

Modeling the electrical conductivity relationship between saturated paste extract and 1:2.5 dilution in different soil textural classes - Frontiers, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of NORTHERN FLINDERS RANGES - Department for Environment and Water, accessed July 30, 2025
NORTHERN FLINDERS RANGES - Department for Environment and Water, accessed July 30, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

NORTHERN FLINDERS RANGES - Department for Environment and Water, accessed July 31, 2025

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Preview of NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment. (2021). Soil health and stability monitoring in forests: Background and review of potential indicators.
NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment. (2021). Soil health and stability monitoring in forests: Background and review of potential indicators.
Contextual Support Journal

Eucalypt - Australian forest profiles, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of Production functions of eucalyptus for the design of saline-drainage water reuse systems - USDA ARS, accessed July 11, 2025,
Production functions of eucalyptus for the design of saline-drainage water reuse systems - USDA ARS, accessed July 11, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Production functions of eucalyptus for the design of saline-drainage water reuse systems - USDA ARS, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of Soil | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed July 30, 2025
Soil | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed July 30, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

SOIL MANAGEMENT - Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of Soil electrical conductivity (EC) is a measure of the amount ... - USDA
Soil electrical conductivity (EC) is a measure of the amount ... - USDA
Contextual Support Journal

Soil Electrical Conductivity - Guides for Educators

View Source
Preview of Soil electrical conductivity: The complete guide to measurements - METER Group, accessed July 30, 2025
Soil electrical conductivity: The complete guide to measurements - METER Group, accessed July 30, 2025
Methodology Source GreyLiterature

Using Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC) to Delineate Field Variation | Ohioline, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of Soil health assessment of forest soils [Chapter 6] - Forest Service, accessed July 30, 2025
Soil health assessment of forest soils [Chapter 6] - Forest Service, accessed July 30, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Soil health assessment of forest soils [Chapter 6] - Forest Service, accessed July 30, 2025

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Preview of Soil management guides - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 11, 2025,
Soil management guides - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 11, 2025,
Methodology Source Journal

Soil Electrical Conductivity - Natural Resources Conservation Service, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of soil survey standard test method electrical conductivity, accessed July 20, 2025,
soil survey standard test method electrical conductivity, accessed July 20, 2025,
Methodology Source

Predicting ECe of the saturated paste extract from value of EC1:5 - Canadian Science Publishing, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of soil survey standard test method electrical conductivity, accessed July 30, 2025
soil survey standard test method electrical conductivity, accessed July 30, 2025
Methodology Source Journal

soil survey standard test method electrical conductivity, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of The effect of eucalypts camaldulensis on soil properties and fertility - CiteSeerX, accessed July 30, 2025
The effect of eucalypts camaldulensis on soil properties and fertility - CiteSeerX, accessed July 30, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Describing soil and land - Department for Environment and Water, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of Vegetation - Plant communities as salinity indicators - Queensland Government publications, accessed July 30, 2025
Vegetation - Plant communities as salinity indicators - Queensland Government publications, accessed July 30, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Vegetation - Plant communities as salinity indicators - Queensland Government publications, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands
  • Land Use Production Forestry
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

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

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-AMR-FOR-SEC family.

0.5 dS/m Moderate
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference
MaximumOnly Retired v3
0.1 dS/m Low
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference
MinimumOnly Rejected v2
4 dS/m Low
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference
MinimumOnly Rejected v2
— dS/m Moderate
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference
OptimalRange Retired v2
4 dS/m Moderate
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference
MaximumOnly Superseded v2
— dS/m Moderate
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference
OptimalRange Superseded v1
0.5 dS/m Moderate
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference
MaximumOnly Superseded v1