Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-AMR-FOR-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

4 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

Therefore, the upper detrimental threshold is set at the boundary where the system transitions from a low-stress to a moderate-stress environment. The proposed upper detrimental threshold is: > 4.0 dS/m (measured as ECe​) Above this level, the soil is classified as moderately saline. Most relevant eucalypt species will begin to experience significant physiological stress, leading to reduced growth, lower resilience to other factors like drought and pests, and a general decline in long-term ecosystem health.

Metric Definition:

Electrical conductivity of the saturated paste extract (ECe​) indicating onset of salinity stress

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the upper detrimental soil electrical conductivity threshold beyond which soils become moderately saline, causing physiological stress and reduced growth in key eucalypt species in Australia's Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands production forestry.

Justification:

Based on multiple studies showing significant physiological stress and growth reduction in eucalypt species at and above this salinity level.

Sources (1)

Preview of Effect of soil salinity on growth of irrigated plantation Eucalyptus in ...
Effect of soil salinity on growth of irrigated plantation Eucalyptus in ... Journal

Effect of soil salinity on growth of irrigated plantation Eucalyptus in ...

View Source

Supporting Sources (32)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) The Extraordinary Nature of the Great Western Woodlands - ResearchGate, accessed July 10, 2025,
(PDF) The Extraordinary Nature of the Great Western Woodlands - ResearchGate, accessed July 10, 2025,
Contextual Support

(PDF) The Extraordinary Nature of the Great Western Woodlands - ResearchGate

View Source
Preview of A Biodiversity and Cultural Conservation Strategy for the Great Western Woodlands - DBCA Library, accessed July 15, 2025
A Biodiversity and Cultural Conservation Strategy for the Great Western Woodlands - DBCA Library, accessed July 15, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

A Biodiversity and Cultural Conservation Strategy for the Great Western Woodlands - DBCA Library, accessed July 15, 2025

View Source
Preview of A Guide To Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC): Description, Importance & Soil EC Maps, accessed July 30, 2025
A Guide To Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC): Description, Importance & Soil EC Maps, accessed July 30, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Applying Soil Health Indicators to Encourage Sustainable Soil Use: The Transition from Scientific Study to Practical Application - MDPI

View Source
Preview of Australia's Framework of Criteria and Indicators - DAFF, accessed July 12, 2025,
Australia's Framework of Criteria and Indicators - DAFF, accessed July 12, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Australia's Framework of Criteria and Indicators - DAFF, accessed July 30, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Australian dryland soils are acidic and nutrient-depleted, and have unique microbial communities compared with other drylands - PMC, accessed August 2, 2025,
Australian dryland soils are acidic and nutrient-depleted, and have unique microbial communities compared with other drylands - PMC, accessed August 2, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Northern and Yorke | Soil management - Landscape South Australia

View Source
Preview of Australian dryland soils are acidic and nutrient-depleted, and have unique microbial communities compared with other drylands - PMC, accessed August 5, 2025,
Australian dryland soils are acidic and nutrient-depleted, and have unique microbial communities compared with other drylands - PMC, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

How should we manage our soils to increase soil carbon?, accessed May 10, 2026

View Source
Preview of Australian dryland soils are acidic and nutrient-depleted, and have unique microbial communities compared with other drylands - PMC, accessed July 30, 2025
Australian dryland soils are acidic and nutrient-depleted, and have unique microbial communities compared with other drylands - PMC, accessed July 30, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Australian dryland soils are acidic and nutrient-depleted, and have unique microbial communities compared with other drylands - PMC, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of Australian Soil: Definition, Classification, Types and Quality - Access EP, accessed July 30, 2025
Australian Soil: Definition, Classification, Types and Quality - Access EP, accessed July 30, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Appendix H - Water Infiltration Modelling - NT EPA, accessed July 16, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Categories - Electrical Conductivity - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed July 30, 2025
Categories - Electrical Conductivity - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed July 30, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Flinders and Gilbert Agricultural Resource Assessment - CSIRO

View Source
Preview of Climate of South Australia - Britannica, accessed July 22, 2025,
Climate of South Australia - Britannica, accessed July 22, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Mediterranean forests, woodlands and scrubs – Australian Acoustic Observatory | A2O, accessed July 13, 2025

View Source
Preview of Effect of NaCl on emergence and growth of a range of provenances of Eucalyptus citriodora, Eucalyptus populnea, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Acacia salicina - ResearchGate, accessed July 11, 2025,
Effect of NaCl on emergence and growth of a range of provenances of Eucalyptus citriodora, Eucalyptus populnea, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Acacia salicina - ResearchGate, accessed July 11, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Effect of NaCl on emergence and growth of a range of provenances of Eucalyptus citriodora, Eucalyptus populnea, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Acacia salicina - ResearchGate, accessed July 11, 2025

View Source
Preview of Effect of Soil Water on Apparent Soil Electrical Conductivity and Texture Relationships in a Dryland Field - USDA ARS, accessed July 11, 2025,
Effect of Soil Water on Apparent Soil Electrical Conductivity and Texture Relationships in a Dryland Field - USDA ARS, accessed July 11, 2025,
Methodology Source Journal

Australian dryland soils are acidic and nutrient-depleted, and have unique microbial communities compared with other drylands - PMC, accessed July 11, 2025

View Source
Preview of Full article: Effects of Eucalyptus species plantations and crop land on selected soil properties - Taylor & Francis Online, accessed July 30, 2025
Full article: Effects of Eucalyptus species plantations and crop land on selected soil properties - Taylor & Francis Online, accessed July 30, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Full article: Effects of Eucalyptus species plantations and crop land on selected soil properties - Taylor & Francis Online, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of Great Western Woodlands - Wikipedia, accessed July 10, 2025,
Great Western Woodlands - Wikipedia, accessed July 10, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Great Western Woodlands - Wikipedia

View Source
Preview of How Can Soil Electrical Conductivity Measurements Control Soil Pollution? - ResearchGate, accessed July 30, 2025
How Can Soil Electrical Conductivity Measurements Control Soil Pollution? - ResearchGate, accessed July 30, 2025
Methodology Source Journal

How Can Soil Electrical Conductivity Measurements Control Soil Pollution? - ResearchGate, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of Mapping the impact of subsoil constraints on soil available water capacity and potential crop yield - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 30, 2025
Mapping the impact of subsoil constraints on soil available water capacity and potential crop yield - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 30, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Mapping the impact of subsoil constraints on soil available water capacity and potential crop yield - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 28, 2025

View Source
Preview of Modeling the electrical conductivity relationship between saturated paste extract and 1:2.5 dilution in different soil textural classes - Frontiers, accessed July 30, 2025
Modeling the electrical conductivity relationship between saturated paste extract and 1:2.5 dilution in different soil textural classes - Frontiers, accessed July 30, 2025
Methodology Source Journal

Modeling the electrical conductivity relationship between saturated paste extract and 1:2.5 dilution in different soil textural classes - Frontiers, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of NORTHERN FLINDERS RANGES - Department for Environment and Water, accessed July 30, 2025
NORTHERN FLINDERS RANGES - Department for Environment and Water, accessed July 30, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

NORTHERN FLINDERS RANGES - Department for Environment and Water, accessed July 31, 2025

View Source
Preview of NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment. (2021). Soil health and stability monitoring in forests: Background and review of potential indicators.
NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment. (2021). Soil health and stability monitoring in forests: Background and review of potential indicators.
Contextual Support Journal

Eucalypt - Australian forest profiles, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of Production functions of eucalyptus for the design of saline-drainage water reuse systems - USDA ARS, accessed July 11, 2025,
Production functions of eucalyptus for the design of saline-drainage water reuse systems - USDA ARS, accessed July 11, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Production functions of eucalyptus for the design of saline-drainage water reuse systems - USDA ARS, accessed July 11, 2025

View Source
Preview of Relating apparent electrical conductivity to soil properties across the North-Central USA, accessed July 30, 2025
Relating apparent electrical conductivity to soil properties across the North-Central USA, accessed July 30, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Relating apparent electrical conductivity to soil properties across the North-Central USA, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of Soil | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed July 30, 2025
Soil | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed July 30, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

SOIL MANAGEMENT - Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of Soil electrical conductivity (EC) is a measure of the amount ... - USDA
Soil electrical conductivity (EC) is a measure of the amount ... - USDA
Contextual Support Journal

Regenerative Agriculture - NSW Department of Primary Industries

View Source
Preview of Soil electrical conductivity: The complete guide to measurements - METER Group, accessed July 30, 2025
Soil electrical conductivity: The complete guide to measurements - METER Group, accessed July 30, 2025
Methodology Source GreyLiterature

Using Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC) to Delineate Field Variation | Ohioline, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of Soil health assessment of forest soils [Chapter 6] - Forest Service, accessed July 30, 2025
Soil health assessment of forest soils [Chapter 6] - Forest Service, accessed July 30, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Soil health assessment of forest soils [Chapter 6] - Forest Service, accessed July 20, 2025

View Source
Preview of Soil management guides - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 11, 2025,
Soil management guides - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 11, 2025,
Methodology Source Journal

Soil management guides - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 11, 2025

View Source
Preview of soil survey standard test method electrical conductivity, accessed July 20, 2025,
soil survey standard test method electrical conductivity, accessed July 20, 2025,
Methodology Source

Predicting ECe of the saturated paste extract from value of EC1:5 - Canadian Science Publishing, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of soil survey standard test method electrical conductivity, accessed July 30, 2025
soil survey standard test method electrical conductivity, accessed July 30, 2025
Methodology Source Journal

soil survey standard test method electrical conductivity, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of The effect of eucalypts camaldulensis on soil properties and fertility
The effect of eucalypts camaldulensis on soil properties and fertility
Direct Evidence

The effect of eucalypts camaldulensis on soil properties and fertility

View Source
Preview of The effect of eucalypts camaldulensis on soil properties and fertility - CiteSeerX, accessed July 30, 2025
The effect of eucalypts camaldulensis on soil properties and fertility - CiteSeerX, accessed July 30, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Describing soil and land - Department for Environment and Water, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of Using Soil and Foliar Analysis to Diagnose the Nutritional Status of Urban Trees
Using Soil and Foliar Analysis to Diagnose the Nutritional Status of Urban Trees
Contextual Support Journal

Using Soil and Foliar Analysis to Diagnose the Nutritional Status of Urban Trees

View Source
Preview of Vegetation - Plant communities as salinity indicators - Queensland Government publications, accessed July 30, 2025
Vegetation - Plant communities as salinity indicators - Queensland Government publications, accessed July 30, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Vegetation - Plant communities as salinity indicators - Queensland Government publications, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands
  • Land Use Production Forestry
  • Assessment Not Stated
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 2
  • Effective From 7 Jun 2026

Notes

Above 4.0 dS/m, soils are moderately saline, causing physiological stress and reduced growth, compromising long-term ecosystem health. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-AMR-FOR-SEC family.

0.5 dS/m Moderate
Production Forestry · Not Stated
MaximumOnly Active v1
0.1 dS/m Moderate
Production Forestry · Not Stated
MinimumOnly Active v1
— dS/m Moderate
Production Forestry · Not Stated
OptimalRange Active v1