Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TSR-AGR-WEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 20 to 110 μS/cm

Optimal Range: 20 to 110

Direction: Higher 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 15 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 14 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

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

Evidence & Context

The optimal range for maintaining ecosystem health is considered to be 20-110 ³S/cm, which mirrors the natural baseline of undisturbed streams.

Metric Definition:

Water Electrical Conductivity (EC) range for maintaining ecosystem health.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the optimal range of water electrical conductivity for maintaining ecosystem health in Tropical & Subtropical Rainforests under Agricultural Crop Production, reflecting natural baseline conditions of undisturbed streams.

Justification:

The optimal range mirrors the natural baseline of undisturbed streams, indicating high ecosystem health.

Sources (1)

Preview of Ecology of streams in a biogeographic isolate—the Queensland Wet Tropics, Australia | Freshwater Science: Vol 34, No 2, accessed July 22, 2025,

Ecology of streams in a biogeographic isolate—the Queensland Wet Tropics, Australia | Freshwater Science: Vol 34, No 2, accessed July 22, 2025, Journal

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (ANZECC/ARMCANZ)

View Source

Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

(PDF) Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate, accessed August 11, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate

View Source

Johnstone River Basin Environmental Values and Water Quality ...

Direct Evidence Journal

Johnstone River Basin Environmental Values and Water Quality ...

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical & Subtropical Rainforests
Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 25 Mar 2026

Notes

This range reflects the natural baseline of the biome's streams and is considered optimal for maintaining ecosystem health.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TSR-AGR-WEC family.