Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-AIF-FOR-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

2 dS/m

Direction: Lower 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 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

A lower critical threshold is proposed at < 2 dS/m (ECe). Below this level, the risk of clay dispersion and structural degradation increases, undermining the system's ability to capture water from floods.

Metric Definition:

Soil Electrical Conductivity (ECe) measured as saturated paste extract, representing soil salinity affecting soil structure and water infiltration.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark marks the lower critical threshold of soil salinity below which soil structure degrades due to clay dispersion, impairing water capture in floodplains.

Justification:

In sodic soils typical of this biome, excessively low electrolyte concentration causes clay particles to disperse, clogging soil pores and reducing water infiltration.

Sources (2)

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

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

Sodic & Alkaline Soil - Soil Quality Knowledge Base

View Source

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

Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Salinity and sodicity - Queensland Government publications

Direct Evidence Journal

Salinity and sodicity - Queensland Government publications

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 DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 3 Jun 2026

Notes

This threshold is critical for maintaining soil physical processes essential for ecosystem viability in floodplain environments. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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