Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TSW-FOR-WEC General High confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 30 to 800 µS/cm

Optimal Range: 30 to 800

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

The optimal range for ecosystem health is 30–800 µS/cm.

Metric Definition:

Optimal functional range of water electrical conductivity for ecosystem health in production forestry catchments.

Benchmark Definition:

Range representing functional water EC levels supportive of ecosystem health.

Justification:

Integrates lower physiological threshold and upper detrimental threshold with national water quality guidelines.

Sources (2)

Gardens and Public Open Space Irrigation: A Case Study in Perth - Scientific Research Publishing

National Guidelines for Water Quality - Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania

View Source

Salinity - Murray–Darling Basin Authority, accessed August 11, 2025, Government

Salinity | Murray–Darling Basin Authority

View Source

Supporting Sources (1)

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

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands
Land Use Production Forestry
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 9 Jun 2026

Notes

The range 30–350 µS/cm represents best available condition; 350–800 µS/cm is still protective of most aquatic life. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TSW-FOR-WEC family.