Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TGP-CON-SEC General High confidence

Benchmark Value

0.25 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 3 benchmarks together — the MinimumOnly form drives the primary score, while 2 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

MinimumOnly Primary MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

An EC value consistently exceeding 0.25 dS/m in the topsoil of this biome should be considered an indicator of potential degradation, likely linked to salinization or excessive nutrient inputs, warranting further investigation.

Metric Definition:

Upper detrimental threshold of Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC) in topsoil (0-10 cm) indicating onset of salinization or excessive nutrient inputs.

Benchmark Definition:

Threshold above which soil EC indicates landscape-scale salinization and degradation in temperate grassy woodlands under conservation management.

Justification:

Values above this level are outside the natural range and indicate external degrading influences.

Sources (2)

Preview of Prober, S. M., Lunt, I. D., & Thiele, K. R. (2002). Determining reference conditions for management and restoration of temperate grassy woodlands: relationships among trees, topsoils and understorey flora in little-grazed remnants. Australian Journal of Botany, 50(6), 687–697.

Prober, S. M., Lunt, I. D., & Thiele, K. R. (2002). Determining reference conditions for management and restoration of temperate grassy woodlands: relationships among trees, topsoils and understorey flora in little-grazed remnants. Australian Journal of Botany, 50(6), 687–697. Journal

Prober, S.M., Thiele, K.R. and Lunt, I.D. (2002). Determining reference conditions for management and restoration of temperate grassy woodlands: relationships among trees, topsoils and understorey flora in little-grazed remnants. Australian Journal of Botany, 50(6), 687-697.

View Source

Preview of Relating apparent electrical conductivity to soil properties across the north-central USA - USDA ARS, accessed August 9, 2025

Relating apparent electrical conductivity to soil properties across the north-central USA - USDA ARS, accessed August 9, 2025 Journal

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

View Source

Supporting Sources (8)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

(PDF) Determining reference conditions for management and ..., accessed August 5, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Effects of Stock Grazing on Biodiversity Values in Temperate Native Grasslands and Grassy Woodlands in SE Australia: A Literature Review - ACT Government

View Source

All About Salinity - Environment and Heritage, accessed August 11, 2025

Contextual Support

All About Salinity - Environment and Heritage, accessed August 11, 2025

View Source

Preview of Australian dryland soils are acidic and nutrient-depleted, and have unique microbial communities compared with other drylands - PMC, accessed August 5, 2025,

Australian dryland soils are acidic and nutrient-depleted, and have unique microbial communities compared with other drylands - PMC, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

How should we manage our soils to increase soil carbon?, accessed May 10, 2026

View Source

Graham, R. C., & Wilson, B. R. (2007). The influence of scattered trees on soil properties in temperate pastures. Soil Research, 45(2), 121-131.

Contextual Support Journal

Australian dryland soils are acidic and nutrient-depleted, and have unique microbial communities compared with other drylands - PMC, accessed August 11, 2025

View Source

Natural Temperate Grassland of the Southern Tablelands of NSW and the Australian Capital Territory. - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

NVIS Fact sheet MVG 19 Tussock grasslands, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source

Relating apparent electrical conductivity to soil properties across the north-central USA - USDA ARS, accessed August 11, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Relating apparent electrical conductivity to soil properties across the north-central USA - USDA ARS, accessed August 11, 2025

View Source

Salinity | Land and soil - Environment and Heritage - NSW Government, accessed August 11, 2025

Contextual Support Government

Australia state of the environment 2021: land, accessed July 28, 2025

View Source

Temperate Grasslands - Greening Australia, accessed August 4, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Plant nutrients in the soil - NSW Department of Primary Industries

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
Assessment Conservation Target
Vegetation Woodland
Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 7 Jun 2026

Notes

This threshold is conservative and based on ecological understanding of salinization impacts in the biome.

Related Benchmarks

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