Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TGP-AGR-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

0.2 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 MaximumOnly form drives the primary score, while 2 guard(s) constrain the result.

Evidence & Context

Therefore, the proposed reference value for high environmental health is < 0.20 dS/m (measured as EC₁:₅).

Metric Definition:

Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC) measured as EC₁:₅, indicating the concentration of dissolved ions in soil water.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the best available soil electrical conductivity condition for high environmental health in agricultural cropping systems within the Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains biome.

Justification:

Derived from state government guidelines (Agriculture Victoria, NSW DPI) and evidence from healthy remnant native woodlands, representing a synthesis of general guidelines rather than direct measurement from multi-site studies.

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 (1)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Soil electrical conductivity (EC) is a measure of the amount ... - USDA
Soil electrical conductivity (EC) is a measure of the amount ... - USDA
Direct Evidence Journal

Regenerative Agriculture - NSW Department of Primary Industries

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
  • Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
  • Assessment Not Stated
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 7 Jun 2026

Notes

This value serves as a broadly applicable upper limit for a high-health state across different soil textures within the biome, balancing nutrient availability and salinity risk. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.