Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TSR-FOR-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 0 to 0.15 dS/m
Optimal Range: 0 to 0.15
Direction: Lower is desirable ↓
Form: OptimalRange

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

The optimal range is therefore considered to be any value below the 0.15 dS/m reference benchmark.

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 optimal soil electrical conductivity range for production forestry in tropical and subtropical rainforests, indicating healthy hydrology and minimal disturbance.

Justification:

Any measurement within this range is considered indicative of a system in high ecological health.

Sources (1)

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

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

View Source

Supporting Sources (11)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of a comparisonof the soils of tropical latin america ano tropical australia
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
Preview of An Updated Australian Soil Classification Map | TERN Australia, accessed on June 5, 2025
An Updated Australian Soil Classification Map | TERN Australia, accessed on June 5, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Accessing disparate soil data | TERN Australia

View Source
Preview of ASC - FERROSOLS - Soil Science Australia, accessed July 18, 2025,
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,

View Source
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
Contextual Support Government

Sodic & Alkaline Soil - Soil Quality Knowledge Base

View Source
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,
Contextual Support Journal

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

View Source
Preview of National Soil Monitoring Program - CSIRO, accessed August 4, 2025,
National Soil Monitoring Program - CSIRO, accessed August 4, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

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

View Source
Preview of Protecting Australia's diverse soils and landscapes | Sustainable Food Trust, accessed July 13, 2025,
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
Preview of Soil health stocktake – Queensland - Grains Research and ..., accessed July 25, 2025,
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
Preview of Soil Research - CSIRO PUBLISHING, accessed July 20, 2025,
Soil Research - CSIRO PUBLISHING, accessed July 20, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

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

View Source
Preview of soil survey standard test method electrical conductivity, accessed July 20, 2025,
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
Preview of Sustainable Forest Management in the Tropics: Is Everything in Order but the Patient Still Dying - ResearchGate, accessed July 20, 2025,
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

Context

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

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 5 Jun 2026

Notes

Reflects healthy hydrology and minimal disturbance. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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

0.3 dS/m Moderate
Production Forestry · Not Stated
MaximumOnly Active v2
0.15 dS/m Moderate
Production Forestry · Not Stated
MaximumOnly Superseded v1