Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TDG-FOR-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

0.06 dS/m

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: Point

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 6 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 5 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard

Evidence & Context

The study found that non-salinised plots, which represented a healthier ecological state compared to visibly salinised plots within the same landscapes, had a mean soil EC1:5 of 0.06 dS/m (measured at a 1:5 soil to water ratio).

Metric Definition:

Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC1:5)

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the typical soil electrical conductivity in non-salinised temperate woodland soils, indicating a healthy ecological state free from salinity-induced degradation.

Justification:

Derived from non-salinised remnant woodland patches in NSW, serving as a proxy for high environmental health in terms of avoiding salinity-induced degradation.

Sources (1)

Preview of NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2003). Impacts of dryland salinity on remnant vegetation in the southern tablelands and south-west slopes of NSW

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2003). Impacts of dryland salinity on remnant vegetation in the southern tablelands and south-west slopes of NSW

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2003). Impacts of dryland salinity on remnant vegetation in the southern tablelands and south-west slopes of NSW

View Source

Supporting Sources (3)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Measuring soil salinity | Agriculture and Food, accessed May 16, 2025,

Methodology Source Government

Barrett-Lennard, E. G., et al. (2005). Standardising terminology for describing the level of salinity in soils in Australia

View Source

Preview of Processes underpinning natural capital account compilation highlight the potential for low-input grazing to mitigate farm carbon emissions while also improving biodiversity outcomes - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal, accessed August 12, 2025,

Processes underpinning natural capital account compilation highlight the potential for low-input grazing to mitigate farm carbon emissions while also improving biodiversity outcomes - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Vegetation change in an urban grassy woodland 1974–2000 - CSIRO Publishing

View Source

The dirt on our soils - Curious - Australian Academy of Science, accessed July 13, 2025

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

The dirt on our soils - Curious - Australian Academy of Science

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
Land Use Production Forestry
Assessment Pristine Reference
Vegetation Woodland
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 10 Jun 2026

Notes

Measured as EC1:5 (1 part soil to 5 parts water extract).

Related Benchmarks

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