Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TMS-CON-SEC General High confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 0.01 to 0.1 dS/m

Optimal Range: 0.01 to 0.1

Direction: Higher 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 10 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 9 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

Proposed Benchmark Range (EC1:5): <0.01 – 0.10 dS/m

Metric Definition:

Soil Electrical Conductivity measured as EC1:5 (1:5 soil/water extract)

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the natural range of soil electrical conductivity in highly leached, pristine conservation landscapes of the Australian Tropical Monsoonal Savannas, reflecting very low salinity typical of these ancient soils.

Justification:

These sources were chosen due to their direct relevance and high credibility. They provide: EC measurements specifically from the Australian Tropical Monsoonal Savanna biome. Data from land use contexts aligned with the query (designated conservation areas like Kakadu National Park, or soil types representative of the natural, low-fertility state of the region prior to intensive modification). Results from scientifically robust, standardized measurement techniques (EC1:5, Method 3A1). The consistent finding of very low EC values across these independent sources strongly aligns with the established pedological understanding of these ancient, highly leached landscapes.

Sources (2)

Preview of Rance, S.J., et al. (2024). Nutrient limitations to plantation tree growth on three contrasting low fertility soils in the Northern Territory, Australia. Soil Research, SR23128.

Rance, S.J., et al. (2024). Nutrient limitations to plantation tree growth on three contrasting low fertility soils in the Northern Territory, Australia. Soil Research, SR23128. Journal

Rance, S.J., et al. (2024). Nutrient limitations to plantation tree growth on three contrasting low fertility soils in the Northern Territory, Australia. Soil Research, SR23128.

View Source

TERN AusPlots soil data from Kakadu National Park.

TERN AusPlots soil data from Kakadu National Park.

View Source

Supporting Sources (1)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Soil Electrical Conductivity - Natural Resources Conservation Service, accessed May 16, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

USDA 12

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical Monsoonal Savannas
Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 24 Mar 2026

Notes

This EC1:5 range (<0.01 – 0.10 dS/m) represents the best available natural condition for Tropical Monsoonal Savannas in Australian conservation areas. It reflects the inherently very low salinity of these ancient, leached, nutrient-poor soils (typically Kandosols and Rudosols), based on measurements from undisturbed or minimally disturbed sites in the Northern Territory, including Kakadu National Park.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TMS-CON-SEC family.