Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-ASC-AGR-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 0.03 to 0.12 dS/m

Optimal Range: 0.03 to 0.12

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 17 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 16 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

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

Evidence & Context

Based on the comprehensive data from Kirkpatrick et al. (2014, via 13), the observed range of mean EC values across various undisturbed alpine soil groups is approximately 0.03 dS/m to 0.12 dS/m (EC 1:5).

Metric Definition:

Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC) is a fundamental measure of a soil's capacity to transmit an electrical current.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the optimal range of soil electrical conductivity in natural alpine soils, supporting ecological health and sustainable agricultural practices in the region.

Justification:

The range reflects the natural EC levels found in undisturbed alpine soils, supporting sustainable agricultural practices that mimic these conditions.

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

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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

This range is considered optimal for maintaining ecological health and sustainable agriculture in the Australian Alpine and Subalpine Complex. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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