Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TDG-CON-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 0.1 to 0.2 dS/m
Optimal Range: 0.1 to 0.2
Direction: Lower 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.

Evidence & Context

For measurements using the 1:5 soil:water suspension method (EC1:5), a corresponding reference range of ≤0.1 dS/m to ≤0.2 dS/m is appropriate.

Metric Definition:

Soil electrical conductivity measured using the 1:5 soil:water suspension method (EC1:5)

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the optimal range of soil electrical conductivity measured by the 1:5 soil:water suspension method in pristine temperate dry woodlands and native grasslands.

Justification:

Reflects very low EC1:5 values reported in little-grazed remnants (0.03-0.07 dS/m) and protected nature reserves (~0.054 dS/m).

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

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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

Allows for slight natural variability and measurement tolerances.

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
0.5 dS/m Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Pristine Reference · Woodland
MaximumOnly Active v1