Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-AKW-AGR-WEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

21800 µS/cm
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 2 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 1 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

Indicative EC Values: Central/Southern Zone: > 21,800 00μS/cm

Metric Definition:

Water electrical conductivity (EC)

Benchmark Definition:

In the Central/Southern Zone, water electrical conductivity above 21,800 µS/cm indicates a severely degraded system where water quality limits pastoralism and ecological health.

Justification:

Values at or exceed the maximum tolerable limits for even the hardiest livestock (adult dry sheep).

Sources (6)

Preview of An inventory and condition survey of the Western Australian part of the Nullarbor region - DPIRD's Digital library, accessed July 25, 2025
An inventory and condition survey of the Western Australian part of the Nullarbor region - DPIRD's Digital library, accessed July 25, 2025 Government

South Australia - Soil Science Australia

View Source
Preview of Ecosystem Processes – Environmental Data Collection Methods - TERN Australia
Ecosystem Processes – Environmental Data Collection Methods - TERN Australia Government

Ecosystem Processes – Environmental Data Collection Methods - TERN Australia, accessed July 17, 2025

View Source
Preview of Nullarbor Karst - The Western Australian Speleological Group, accessed July 26, 2025,
Nullarbor Karst - The Western Australian Speleological Group, accessed July 26, 2025, GreyLiterature

Nullarbor Plain - A biography of the Australian continent

View Source
Preview of Nullarbor Plain - Wikipedia, accessed July 25, 2025,
Nullarbor Plain - Wikipedia, accessed July 25, 2025, GreyLiterature

Nullarbor Plain - Wikipedia, accessed July 24, 2025

View Source
Preview of TERN - Australia's Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, accessed July 30, 2025,
TERN - Australia's Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, accessed July 30, 2025, Government

Australia's State of the Forests Report 2018 - DAFF, accessed July 31, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Water Quality for Livestock - Sheep Connect SA
Water Quality for Livestock - Sheep Connect SA

Water Quality for Livestock - Sheep Connect SA

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Arid Karstic Woodlands & Shrublands
  • Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
  • Assessment Not Stated
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 4 Jun 2026

Notes

Tier 4: Poor Condition (Degraded System) AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-AKW-AGR-WEC family.

— µS/cm Moderate
Agricultural Crop Production · Not Stated
OptimalRange Active v1
— µS/cm Moderate
Agricultural Crop Production · Not Stated
OptimalRange Active v1
15600 µS/cm Moderate
Agricultural Crop Production · Not Stated
MaximumOnly Active v1