Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TGP-FOR-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 0.03 to 0.07 dS/m
Optimal Range: 0.03 to 0.07
Direction: Lower 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 6 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 5 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard

Evidence & Context

The reference benchmark is the range of 0.03–0.07 dS/m.

Metric Definition:

Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC) measured as a 1:5 soil:water suspension in topsoil (0-10 cm) in temperate grassy woodlands.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the natural baseline range of soil electrical conductivity in temperate grassy woodlands under pristine conditions, reflecting healthy, non-salinized soil with natural spatial variation.

Justification:

Derived from high-integrity, little-grazed temperate grassy woodlands representing the natural baseline condition.

Sources (1)

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, Journal

How should we manage our soils to increase soil carbon?, accessed May 10, 2026

View Source

Supporting Sources (31)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate, accessed August 11, 2025,
(PDF) Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate, accessed August 11, 2025,
Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

(PDF) Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate

View Source
Preview of (PDF) The salt-waterlogging tolerance of Eucalyptus camaldulensis × E. globulus hybrids, accessed August 9, 2025
(PDF) The salt-waterlogging tolerance of Eucalyptus camaldulensis × E. globulus hybrids, accessed August 9, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate, accessed August 9, 2025

View Source
Preview of Apparent soil electrical conductivity in two different soil types1 - Redalyc, accessed August 9, 2025
Apparent soil electrical conductivity in two different soil types1 - Redalyc, accessed August 9, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Apparent soil electrical conductivity in two different soil types1 - Redalyc, accessed August 9, 2025

View Source
Preview of AusEarthed. (n.d.). Soil Reading.
AusEarthed. (n.d.). Soil Reading.
Contextual Support Journal

Victorian Resources Online | Resources | Support and resources ..., accessed July 21, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Australia's native forests and wood production - DAFF, accessed August 9, 2025
Australia's native forests and wood production - DAFF, accessed August 9, 2025
Contextual Support Government

ABARES report on the importance of Australia's native forests and wood production

View Source
Preview of Australia's State of the Forests Report 2018 13 Criterion 4 - DAFF, accessed August 1, 2025,
Australia's State of the Forests Report 2018 13 Criterion 4 - DAFF, accessed August 1, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Temperate forests and soils [Chapter 6]

View Source
Preview of Australia's State of the Forests Report, accessed August 12, 2025
Australia's State of the Forests Report, accessed August 12, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Change in Organic Carbon in Forest Plantation Soils in Eastern ..., accessed July 20, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Australia's Sustainable Forest Management - DAFF, accessed July 12, 2025,
Australia's Sustainable Forest Management - DAFF, accessed July 12, 2025,
Contextual Support

Sustainable forest management: the Australian context - DAFF

View Source
Preview of Australian Soil Classification - ResearchGate, accessed August 9, 2025
Australian Soil Classification - ResearchGate, accessed August 9, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Determining baselines, drivers and trends of soil health and stability ..., accessed August 9, 2025

View Source
Preview of Bioregions and EVC benchmarks - Environment, accessed August 5, 2025,
Bioregions and EVC benchmarks - Environment, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

TASVEG VCA Manual: A manual for assessing vegetation condition in Tasmania, Version 2.0. Natural and Cultural Heritage, Department of

View Source
Preview of Determining baselines, drivers and trends of soil health and stability ..., accessed July 12, 2025,
Determining baselines, drivers and trends of soil health and stability ..., accessed July 12, 2025,
Direct Evidence Journal

Phosphorus: a finite resource essential for life, critical for agriculture and food security

View Source
Preview of EUCALYPTS FOR USE IN SALINE REVEGETATION - DBCA Library, accessed August 9, 2025
EUCALYPTS FOR USE IN SALINE REVEGETATION - DBCA Library, accessed August 9, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Salt tolerance in Eucalyptus spp.: Identity and response of putative ..., accessed August 9, 2025

View Source
Preview of Factors affecting forest health, accessed August 9, 2025
Factors affecting forest health, accessed August 9, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Water Sensitive Urban Design in North Queensland - Water by Design

View Source
Preview of Forest Soils: Properties and Management | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed August 9, 2025
Forest Soils: Properties and Management | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed August 9, 2025
Contextual Support

Australian Soil Classification - ResearchGate, accessed August 9, 2025

View Source
Preview of Graham, R. C., & Wilson, B. R. (2007). The influence of scattered trees on soil properties in temperate pastures. Soil Research, 45(2), 121-131.
Graham, R. C., & Wilson, B. R. (2007). The influence of scattered trees on soil properties in temperate pastures. Soil Research, 45(2), 121-131.
Contextual Support Journal

Australian dryland soils are acidic and nutrient-depleted, and have unique microbial communities compared with other drylands - PMC, accessed August 11, 2025

View Source
Preview of How do fire regimes affect ecosystem structure, function and diversity in grasslands and grassy woodlands of southern Australia?, accessed August 10, 2025,
How do fire regimes affect ecosystem structure, function and diversity in grasslands and grassy woodlands of southern Australia?, accessed August 10, 2025,
Contextual Support

Contrasting Soil pH Effects on Fungal and Bacterial Growth Suggest ...

View Source
Preview of Identifying ecological barriers to restoration in temperate grassy woodlands: soil changes associated with different degradation states - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,
Identifying ecological barriers to restoration in temperate grassy woodlands: soil changes associated with different degradation states - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

(PDF) Identifying ecological barriers to restoration in temperate grassy woodlands: soil changes associated with different degradation states - ResearchGate, accessed August 4, 2025,

View Source
Preview of INFLUENCE OF SOIL ORGANIC MATTER ON FOREST PRODUCTIVITY* - Scion Research, accessed August 10, 2025,
INFLUENCE OF SOIL ORGANIC MATTER ON FOREST PRODUCTIVITY* - Scion Research, accessed August 10, 2025,
Contextual Support

Eight steps to conserve diverse understoreys in grassy woodlands, accessed August 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of Information and monitoring | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed August 9, 2025
Information and monitoring | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed August 9, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Victorian Forest Monitoring Program, accessed August 9, 2025

View Source
Preview of Plants for saline sites - Department for Environment and Water, accessed August 9, 2025
Plants for saline sites - Department for Environment and Water, accessed August 9, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Plants for saline sites - Department for Environment and Water, accessed August 9, 2025

View Source
Preview of Processes underpinning natural capital account compilation highlight the potential for low-input grazing to mitigate farm carbon emissions while also improving biodiversity outcomes - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal, accessed August 12, 2025,
Processes underpinning natural capital account compilation highlight the potential for low-input grazing to mitigate farm carbon emissions while also improving biodiversity outcomes - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal, accessed August 12, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Vegetation change in an urban grassy woodland 1974–2000 - CSIRO Publishing

View Source
Preview of Relating apparent electrical conductivity to soil properties across the north-central USA - USDA ARS, accessed August 9, 2025
Relating apparent electrical conductivity to soil properties across the north-central USA - USDA ARS, accessed August 9, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

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

View Source
Preview of Salinity - Murray–Darling Basin Authority, accessed August 11, 2025,
Salinity - Murray–Darling Basin Authority, accessed August 11, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Salinity | Murray–Darling Basin Authority

View Source
Preview of Salinity and water quality
Salinity and water quality
Contextual Support Government

Soil Mapping Using Electromagnetic Induction to Assess the Suitability of Land for Growing Leptospermum nitens in Western Australia - Frontiers, accessed August 9, 2025

View Source
Preview of Salt tolerance in Eucalyptus spp.: Identity and response of putative ..., accessed August 9, 2025
Salt tolerance in Eucalyptus spp.: Identity and response of putative ..., accessed August 9, 2025
Contextual Support

(PDF) The salt-waterlogging tolerance of Eucalyptus camaldulensis × E. globulus hybrids, accessed August 9, 2025

View Source
Preview of Soil | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed August 3, 2025,
Soil | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed August 3, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

D11 Control of Erosion and Sedimentation (Design) - Wingecarribee Shire Council

View Source
Preview of Soil Electrical Conductivity - Natural Resources Conservation Service, accessed May 16, 2025,
Soil Electrical Conductivity - Natural Resources Conservation Service, accessed May 16, 2025,
Direct Evidence Journal

USDA 12

View Source
Preview of Soil Health Indicators Used in Temperate Climates for Sustainable Soil Management | Soil Science Cases - CABI Digital Library, accessed May 12, 2025
Soil Health Indicators Used in Temperate Climates for Sustainable Soil Management | Soil Science Cases - CABI Digital Library, accessed May 12, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Australian dryland soils are acidic and nutrient-depleted, and have unique microbial communities compared with other drylands - PMC, accessed August 9, 2025

View Source
Preview of Soil Mapping Using Electromagnetic Induction to Assess the Suitability of Land for Growing Leptospermum nitens in Western Australia - Frontiers, accessed August 9, 2025
Soil Mapping Using Electromagnetic Induction to Assess the Suitability of Land for Growing Leptospermum nitens in Western Australia - Frontiers, accessed August 9, 2025
Methodology Source Journal

Investigating Microtopographic and Soil Controls on a Mountainous Meadow Plant Community Using High‐Resolution Remote Sensing, accessed March 28, 2026,

View Source
Preview of Victorian Forest Monitoring Program, accessed August 9, 2025
Victorian Forest Monitoring Program, accessed August 9, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Victorian Forest Monitoring Program, accessed August 9, 2025

View Source
Preview of Woodland Remnants and Dryland Salinity - Environment and Heritage, accessed August 9, 2025
Woodland Remnants and Dryland Salinity - Environment and Heritage, accessed August 9, 2025
Contextual Support

(PDF) Effects of salinisation on riparian plant communities in ..., accessed July 10, 2025

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
  • Land Use Production Forestry
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Vegetation Woodland
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 3 Jun 2026

Notes

Low and stable EC indicates healthy, non-salinized soil. The range reflects natural spatial variation between open areas and under tree canopies.

Related Benchmarks

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

— dS/m Moderate
Production Forestry · Conservation Target · Woodland
OptimalRange Active v1
0.02 dS/m Moderate
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference · Woodland
MinimumOnly Active v1
2 dS/m Moderate
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference · Woodland
MaximumOnly Active v1