Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TDG-LVG-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

1.8 dS/m
Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 1.8
Direction: Lower is desirable ↓
Form: UpperThreshold

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 MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard UpperThreshold Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard OptimalRange Guard OptimalRange Guard Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

An Upper Detrimental Threshold where ECe values consistently exceeding 1.5−1.8 dS/m begin to cause salinity stress and negative shifts in native plant communities.

Metric Definition:

Upper detrimental threshold of soil electrical conductivity beyond which ecological health declines due to salinity stress.

Benchmark Definition:

Upper limit of soil electrical conductivity indicating onset of salinity stress and ecological degradation.

Justification:

Based on general pasture guidelines and environmental regulation benchmarks for temperate Australia.

Sources (1)

Preview of Understanding soil tests for pastures | Soil | Farm management ..., accessed May 12, 2025
Understanding soil tests for pastures | Soil | Farm management ..., accessed May 12, 2025 Government

Agriculture Victoria. (2025). Understanding soil tests for pastures. Farm Management.

View Source

Supporting Sources (21)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Determining reference conditions for management and ..., accessed August 5, 2025,
(PDF) Determining reference conditions for management and ..., accessed August 5, 2025,
Direct Evidence Journal

Effects of Stock Grazing on Biodiversity Values in Temperate Native Grasslands and Grassy Woodlands in SE Australia: A Literature Review - ACT Government

View Source
Preview of (PDF) Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes - ResearchGate, accessed May 11, 2025
(PDF) Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes - ResearchGate, accessed May 11, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

section 2 water quality in the darwin region - Environment and Natural Resources

View Source
Preview of A Guide To Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC): Description, Importance & Soil EC Maps, accessed May 16, 2025,
A Guide To Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC): Description, Importance & Soil EC Maps, accessed May 16, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Soil Electrical Conductivity(EC): What's It, Why Important, How to Measure & More - Latest News from Seeed Studio, accessed July 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of Carbon farming for primary producers - PIRSA's, accessed May 12, 2025
Carbon farming for primary producers - PIRSA's, accessed May 12, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Carbon farming for primary producers - PIRSA's, accessed May 12, 2025

View Source
Preview of CATTLE AUSTRALIA - Land Management Commitment Strategy, accessed May 12, 2025
CATTLE AUSTRALIA - Land Management Commitment Strategy, accessed May 12, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

CATTLE AUSTRALIA - Land Management Commitment Strategy, accessed May 12, 2025

View Source
Preview of Do regenerative grazing management practices ... - CSIRO Publishing, accessed May 12, 2025
Do regenerative grazing management practices ... - CSIRO Publishing, accessed May 12, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Investigating Intensive Grazing Systems in Northern Australia

View Source
Preview of estuaries.dwer.wa.gov.au, accessed May 12, 2025
estuaries.dwer.wa.gov.au, accessed May 12, 2025
Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Turner, B. L., et al. (2014). Soil organic phosphorus speciation in Australian alpine and sub-alpine soils. Journal of Soils and Sediments.

View Source
Preview of Grazing management for soil carbon in Australia: A review - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,
Grazing management for soil carbon in Australia: A review - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Grazing management for soil carbon in Australia: A review - ResearchGate, accessed May 10, 2026

View Source
Preview of Grazing management of Australian native woody regeneration as an effective nature-based climate-change solution - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal, accessed July 12, 2025,
Grazing management of Australian native woody regeneration as an effective nature-based climate-change solution - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal, accessed July 12, 2025,
Contextual Support

The Rangeland Journal - CSIRO PUBLISHING, accessed May 13, 2025

View Source
Preview of Impacts of Rotational Grazing on Soil Carbon in Native Grass-Based ..., accessed August 5, 2025,
Impacts of Rotational Grazing on Soil Carbon in Native Grass-Based ..., accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Managing Grazing to Restore Soil Health, Ecosystem Function, and Ecosystem Services - Frontiers

View Source
Preview of Monitoring soil quality for central tablelands grazing systems | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed May 12, 2025
Monitoring soil quality for central tablelands grazing systems | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed May 12, 2025
Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Monitoring soil quality for central tablelands grazing systems | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed May 12, 2025

View Source
Preview of Native pastures - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed May 12, 2025
Native pastures - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed May 12, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Australia's Native Vegetation Framework - DAFF

View Source
Preview of Regenerative Agriculture Metrics: Soil chapter, accessed May 12, 2025
Regenerative Agriculture Metrics: Soil chapter, accessed May 12, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

INNOVATIONS FOR REGENERATIVE LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT - Soils For Life

View Source
Preview of Relationship between soil apparent electrical conductivity and forage yield in temperate pastures according to nitrogen availability and growing season - ResearchGate, accessed May 12, 2025
Relationship between soil apparent electrical conductivity and forage yield in temperate pastures according to nitrogen availability and growing season - ResearchGate, accessed May 12, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Relationship between soil apparent electrical conductivity and forage yield in temperate pastures according to nitrogen availability and growing season - ResearchGate, accessed May 12, 2025

View Source
Preview of Restoring ecological function in temperate grassy woodlands: Manipulating soil nutrients, exotic annuals and native perennial grasses through carbon supplements and spring burns | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed May 12, 2025
Restoring ecological function in temperate grassy woodlands: Manipulating soil nutrients, exotic annuals and native perennial grasses through carbon supplements and spring burns | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed May 12, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Increasing and declining native species in urban remnant grasslands respond differently to nitrogen addition and disturbance

View Source
Preview of Snapshot of Australian Agriculture 2025 - DAFF, accessed July 8, 2025
Snapshot of Australian Agriculture 2025 - DAFF, accessed July 8, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Snapshot of Australian Agriculture 2025 - DAFF, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Soil health - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed May 12, 2025
Soil health - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed May 12, 2025
Contextual Support

Soil health - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed May 12, 2025

View Source
Preview of Soil Health Indicators Used in Temperate Climates for Sustainable Soil Management | Soil Science Cases - CABI Digital Library, accessed May 12, 2025
Soil Health Indicators Used in Temperate Climates for Sustainable Soil Management | Soil Science Cases - CABI Digital Library, accessed May 12, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Australian dryland soils are acidic and nutrient-depleted, and have unique microbial communities compared with other drylands - PMC, accessed August 9, 2025

View Source
Preview of Soil Research - CSIRO PUBLISHING, accessed May 12, 2025
Soil Research - CSIRO PUBLISHING, accessed May 12, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Soil Research - CSIRO PUBLISHING, accessed May 12, 2025

View Source
Preview of Western Grassland Reserve, accessed May 12, 2025
Western Grassland Reserve, accessed May 12, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Grey Box (Eucalyptus microcarpa) Grassy Woodlands and Derived Native Grasslands of South-eastern Australia, accessed August 11, 2025

View Source
Preview of www.barrierreef.org, accessed on May 25, 2025,
www.barrierreef.org, accessed on May 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Regenerative Agriculture Program restoring soil pH case study: Macdonald, Whites Flat/Koppio, accessed July 18, 2025,

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Not Stated
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 31 May 2026

Notes

Values above 2.0 dS/m indicate clear degradation from best available condition. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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

0.15 dS/m Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Not Stated
MaximumOnly Active v1
0.02 dS/m Low
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Not Stated
MinimumOnly Active v1
— dS/m Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Not Stated
OptimalRange Active v1