Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-AIF-LVG-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 0.2 to 1 dS/m

Optimal Range: 0.2 to 1

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 MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard UpperThreshold Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard OptimalRange Guard OptimalRange Guard Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

Based on the synthesis of available evidence, the optimal range for soil EC in the topsoil (0-30 cm) is proposed as 0.2 6 1.0 dS/m (ECe).

Metric Definition:

Optimal range of Soil Electrical Conductivity (ECe) in the topsoil (0-30 cm) for native pasture health and resilience

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the optimal soil electrical conductivity range in the topsoil that supports healthy native pasture without salt stress in the arid inland floodplains.

Justification:

This range ensures sufficient soluble ions for biological processes and avoids osmotic stress, supporting ecosystem resilience.

Sources (1)

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

Salinity | Murray–Darling Basin Authority

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Arid Inland Floodplains & Ephemeral River Systems
Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 7 Jun 2026

Notes

Maintaining soil EC within this range supports native grasses and forbs and is consistent with regenerative grazing goals. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-AIF-LVG-SEC family.