Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TDG-FOR-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

0.2 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. The scoring engine uses 12 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 11 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary UpperThreshold Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

The transition from 'non-saline' to 'very slightly saline' (e.g., ECe > 2 dS/m, or EC1:5 > approximately 0.2 dS/m depending on texture) likely represents an initial detrimental threshold for many sensitive native species characteristic of this biome

Metric Definition:

Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC1:5)

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark marks the upper soil electrical conductivity limit beyond which many sensitive native species in temperate woodlands begin to experience detrimental effects due to salinity.

Justification:

Values exceeding the non-saline threshold indicate the onset of salinity-induced degradation and a departure from high environmental health.

Sources (1)

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

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

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

View Source

Supporting Sources (3)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

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

Methodology Source

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

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 Not Stated
Vegetation Woodland
Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 10 Jun 2026

Notes

Approximate value for EC1:5; corresponds to ECe > 2 dS/m. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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