Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-AIF-FOR-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

4 dS/m

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: MaximumOnly

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 12 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 11 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary UpperThreshold Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

Based on the synthesis of evidence, the benchmark for best available condition is set at < 4 dS/m (ECe).

Metric Definition:

Soil Electrical Conductivity (ECe) measured as saturated paste extract, representing soil salinity affecting plant health.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the best available soil salinity condition for sustainable production forestry in Australian arid inland floodplains, set at a maximum electrical conductivity of 4 dS/m to avoid salt-induced stress.

Justification:

This value is justified on several grounds. First, 4 dS/m is the internationally recognized threshold used to classify soils as 'saline,' above which the yields of many sensitive agricultural crops are affected. While native floodplain trees are more tolerant than most crops, adopting this conservative, well-established value ensures a condition of minimal to no salt-induced stress.

Sources (2)

Preview of Modelling vegetation health from the interaction of saline groundwater and flooding on the Chowilla floodplain, South Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 21, 2025,

Modelling vegetation health from the interaction of saline groundwater and flooding on the Chowilla floodplain, South Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 21, 2025, Journal

Modelling vegetation health from the interaction ... - CSIRO Publishing

View Source

Salinity and sodicity - Queensland Government publications Journal

Salinity and sodicity - Queensland Government publications

View Source

Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Common soil types | Environment, land and water - Queensland Government, accessed August 9, 2025

Direct Evidence Government

Sodic & Alkaline Soil - Soil Quality Knowledge Base

View Source

Slavich et al. (1999) via Bioregional Assessments

Direct Evidence

Slavich et al. (1999) via Bioregional Assessments

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Arid Inland Floodplains & Ephemeral River Systems
Land Use Production Forestry
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Superseded
Version 1
Effective From 3 Jun 2026
Effective To 3 Jun 2026

Notes

The reference value of < 4 dS/m (measured as saturated paste extract, ECe) represents the best available condition for sustainable production forestry (defined as managed native woodlands) in Australian arid inland floodplains. Confidence is Moderate because this is a derived benchmark; large-scale production forestry is not a standard land use in this biome, so the value is inferred from conditions supporting healthy, resilient Eucalyptus largiflorens woodlands under best-practice hydrological management. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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