Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TGP-AGR-WEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

1500 µS/cm

Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 1500

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: UpperThreshold

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 15 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 14 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard UpperThreshold Guard LowerThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard Point Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

A significant body of scientific literature indicates that freshwater ecosystems in Australia begin to experience direct adverse biological effects and significant biodiversity loss as salinity approaches and exceeds approximately 1500 µS/cm.

Metric Definition:

Electrical Conductivity (EC) level in freshwater ecosystems indicating onset of significant adverse biological effects.

Benchmark Definition:

Critical ecological tipping point for freshwater ecosystem health based on EC.

Justification:

This value represents a significant ecological tipping point where many sensitive freshwater species are eliminated, leading to biodiversity loss.

Sources (1)

Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia

View Source

Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 28, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - CSIRO Publishing

View Source

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

Direct Evidence Government

Basin Plan water quality targets; Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (ANZG 2018/ANZECC 2000); Australia State of the Environment 2021: Inland water

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 24 Mar 2026

Notes

Above this level, ecosystem structure and function are fundamentally altered.

Related Benchmarks

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