Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TMI-CON-SEC General High 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.

Evidence & Context

Based on the CSIRO Pacific Islands manual, the "Very low" salinity class is defined by an electrical conductivity of <0.15 dS/m (measured in a 1:5 soil:water suspension, EC1:5). This value is proposed as the reference benchmark representing the best available condition of nature for conservation areas in Australia's Tropical and Subtropical Maritime Islands biome.

Metric Definition:

Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC1:5) measured in a 1:5 soil:water suspension

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the maximum soil electrical conductivity (EC) value indicating very low salinity, reflecting the best natural condition for conservation areas in Australia's Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands biome.

Justification:

Derived from the CSIRO Pacific Islands manual, corroborated by qualitative 'non-saline' descriptions and quantitative data from similar Australian ecosystems.

Sources (3)

Soil Analysis Methods and Results Interpretation ... - CSIRO Research Journal

Soil Analysis Methods and Results Interpretation ... - CSIRO Research

View Source

Preview of Soil Research - CSIRO PUBLISHING, accessed May 16, 2025,

Soil Research - CSIRO PUBLISHING, accessed May 16, 2025, Journal

Litchfield Savanna BASE Contextual, Soil Physico-Chemical Data ..., accessed May 20, 2025,

View Source

Wet Tropics region GLM land types - FutureBeef GreyLiterature

Wet Tropics region GLM land types - FutureBeef

View Source

Supporting Sources (1)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

www.publications.qld.gov.au, accessed May 16, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Measuring soil salinity - The Australian Wine Research Institute

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands
Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 7 Jun 2026

Notes

This benchmark represents a 'Very low' salinity status (EC1:5) indicating high ecological health. It is corroborated by qualitative 'non-saline' descriptions for various soil types in the Wet Tropics and by quantitative data from similar Australian ecosystems. There is no evidence of degradation from an excessively low EC state. No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are not desirable beyond this point. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TMI-CON-SEC family.