Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-ASC-AGR-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

0.15 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.

Contributing Benchmarks

MaximumOnly Primary MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

Based on this evidence, the proposed benchmark reference value for Soil EC is < 0.15 dS/m (measured as EC 1:5 soil:water).

Metric Definition:

Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC) is a fundamental measure of a soil's capacity to transmit an electrical current, typically expressed in deciSiemens per metre (dS/m).

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the maximum acceptable soil electrical conductivity in Australian alpine agricultural soils, indicating non-saline conditions typical of healthy ecosystems with a slight buffer above natural levels.

Justification:

The benchmark is derived from robust, peer-reviewed scientific research (Kirkpatrick et al., 2014) conducted on actual Australian alpine soils across a comprehensive range of locations and inherent soil types.

Sources (1)

Patterns of variation in Australian alpine soils and their relationships to parent material, vegetation formation, climate and t Journal

Patterns of variation in Australian alpine soils

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Supporting Sources (4)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Kirkpatrick, J. B., and M. J. Brown. 1984. The Tasmanian alpine ecosystem.

Direct Evidence Journal

Understanding Ecohydrological and Biogeochemical Processes in ...

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Private Forests Tasmania (2021). Management of Natural regeneration in eucalypt plantations.

Direct Evidence Journal

Private Forests Tasmania (2021). Management of Natural regeneration in eucalypt plantations.

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Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC) — Benchmark Detail - Nature Index

Direct Evidence Journal

Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC) — Benchmark Detail - Nature Index

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The Effects of Road De-icing Salts on Water Quality and ..., accessed August 17, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

The Effects of Road De-icing Salts on Water Quality and Macroinvertebrates in Australian Alpine Areas, accessed on May 29, 2025

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Alpine and Subalpine Complex
Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 7 Jun 2026

Notes

The value signifies non-saline conditions and aligns with naturally low EC levels found in healthy alpine ecosystems. It includes a slight buffer above the maximum mean EC observed in natural systems. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-ASC-AGR-SEC family.