Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TDG-CON-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

1 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

For measurements using the saturated paste extract method (ECe), a value of ECe ≤ 1.0 dS/m is indicative of the best available natural condition

Metric Definition:

Soil electrical conductivity measured using the saturated paste extract method (ECe)

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the upper limit of soil electrical conductivity measured by the saturated paste extract method in pristine temperate dry woodlands and native grasslands, indicating the best available natural soil condition.

Justification:

Derived from synthesis of reference sites in south-eastern Australia, including non-salinised woodland plots (mean 0.9±0.3 dS/m) and aligns with USDA 'Non-saline' classification.

Sources (1)

Preview of Nationally Threatened Ecological Communities of the Victorian Volcanic Plain: Natural Temperate Grassland & Grassy Eucalypt Woodland - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025,

Nationally Threatened Ecological Communities of the Victorian Volcanic Plain: Natural Temperate Grassland & Grassy Eucalypt Woodland - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025, Journal

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. (2006). Woodland Remnants and Dryland Salinity: Impacts of dryland salinity on woodland remnants in the Southern Tablelands and South-West Slopes of New South Wales.

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Supporting Sources (4)

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,

Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

(PDF) Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate

View Source

Preview of Marchin, R. M., Muller, S., & MacLeod, M. K. (2008). Soil condition under different land-uses on the north-west slopes of New South Wales. Australian Journal of Soil Research, 46(4), 359-368.

Marchin, R. M., Muller, S., & MacLeod, M. K. (2008). Soil condition under different land-uses on the north-west slopes of New South Wales. Australian Journal of Soil Research, 46(4), 359-368.

Contextual Support Journal

James, A. I., Eldridge, D. J., Hill, B. M., & Travers, S. K. (2019). Digging mammals create surficial soil heterogeneity and influence soil temperature in a temperate Australian woodland. PeerJ, 7, e7321.

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