Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-ASC-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.

Evidence & Context

Considering these factors, a potential upper detrimental threshold of > 0.20 dS/m (EC 1:5) is proposed.

Metric Definition:

Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC) is a measure of soil's ability to conduct electrical current.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents an upper detrimental threshold for soil electrical conductivity, beyond which ecological harm may occur due to salt accumulation in alpine soils.

Justification:

This threshold is set cautiously considering the sensitivity of alpine biota to salinity increases and is moderately above the natural maximum EC observed.

Sources (1)

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

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

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

View Source

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 ...

View Source

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

Direct Evidence Journal

Patterns of variation in Australian alpine soils

View Source

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.

View Source

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

Direct Evidence Journal

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

View Source

Context

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

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 2
Effective From 7 Jun 2026

Notes

Soil EC values consistently exceeding 0.20 dS/m may indicate accumulation of soluble salts detrimental to the alpine ecosystem. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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