Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TDG-CON-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

0.5 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

the most undisturbed sites often exhibiting ECe < 0.5 dS/m

Metric Definition:

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

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark indicates the maximum soil electrical conductivity measured by the saturated paste extract method in the most undisturbed temperate dry woodlands and native grasslands, representing an optimal natural state.

Justification:

Observed in the most undisturbed portions of reference sites, representing an optimal or ideal state within the best available condition spectrum.

Sources (1)

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

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

View Source

Supporting Sources (4)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

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.

View Source
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,
Direct Evidence 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.

View Source
Preview of Point intercept data - TERN Australia
Point intercept data - TERN Australia
Methodology Source Journal

TERN. (2020). TERN data for students: a summary of ecosystem monitoring methods, data and activity ideas.

View Source
Preview of Soil Electrical Conductivity - Natural Resources Conservation Service, accessed May 16, 2025,
Soil Electrical Conductivity - Natural Resources Conservation Service, accessed May 16, 2025,
Methodology Source Journal

USDA 12

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
  • Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Vegetation Woodland
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 9 Jun 2026

Notes

Indicative of an optimal or ideal state.

Related Benchmarks

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

1 dS/m Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Pristine Reference · Woodland
MaximumOnly Active v1
— dS/m Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Pristine Reference · Woodland
OptimalRange Active v1