Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TSR-FOR-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

0.3 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

An upper detrimental threshold, indicating potential soil degradation, is identified at EC levels exceeding 0.30 dS/m.

Metric Definition:

Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC) is a measure of the ability of a soil-water solution to conduct an electrical current.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the upper detrimental threshold for soil electrical conductivity, above which soil degradation is likely occurring in production forestry of tropical and subtropical rainforests.

Justification:

A reading above this level provides a clear warning sign that degrading processes—such as soil compaction leading to poor drainage and salt accumulation, or erosion exposing more saline subsoils—are likely occurring.

Sources (1)

Preview of Effects of Selection Logging on Rainforest Productivity - UQ eSpace, accessed July 20, 2025,

Effects of Selection Logging on Rainforest Productivity - UQ eSpace, accessed July 20, 2025, Journal

A review of forest practice codes in Australia, accessed July 20, 2025,

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Supporting Sources (11)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

a comparisonof the soils of tropical latin america ano tropical australia

Contextual Support Journal

A comparison of the soil of tropical latin america and tropical australia

View Source

An Updated Australian Soil Classification Map | TERN Australia, accessed on June 5, 2025

Contextual Support Government

Accessing disparate soil data | TERN Australia

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ASC - FERROSOLS - Soil Science Australia, accessed July 18, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Soil Characteristics and Fertility of the Unique Jarrah Forest of ..., accessed July 20, 2025,

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

Contextual Support Government

Sodic & Alkaline Soil - Soil Quality Knowledge Base

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National Soil Monitoring Program - CSIRO, accessed August 4, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

National Soil Monitoring Program - CSIRO, accessed July 8, 2025

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Protecting Australia's diverse soils and landscapes | Sustainable Food Trust, accessed July 13, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

(PDF) Causes and Effects of Gully Erosion on Agricultural Lands and the Environment, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source

Soil health stocktake – Queensland - Grains Research and ..., accessed July 25, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Understanding soil tests for pastures | Soil | Farm management ..., accessed July 20, 2025,

View Source

Soil Research - CSIRO PUBLISHING, accessed July 20, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Soil Research - CSIRO PUBLISHING, accessed July 30, 2025,

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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

Sustainable Forest Management in the Tropics: Is Everything in Order but the Patient Still Dying - ResearchGate, accessed July 20, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Sustainable Forest Management in the Tropics: Is Everything in Order but the Patient Still Dying - ResearchGate, accessed July 20, 2025,

View Source

Understanding soil tests for pastures | Soil | Farm management ..., accessed May 12, 2025

Direct Evidence Government

Agriculture Victoria. (2025). Understanding soil tests for pastures. Farm Management.

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical & Subtropical Rainforests
Land Use Production Forestry
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 2
Effective From 5 Jun 2026

Notes

It serves as a trigger for further investigation into the physical condition of the soil on-site. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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