Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-ASC-CON-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 0.03 to 0.1 dS/m

Optimal Range: 0.03 to 0.1

Direction: Higher 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. The scoring engine uses 10 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 9 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

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

Evidence & Context

Based on the extensive dataset provided by Kirkpatrick et al. (2014), the optimal Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC1:5) range for Australian alpine and subalpine soils, particularly within protected natural areas exhibiting high environmental health, can be inferred to be approximately 0.03 dS/m to 0.10 dS/m.

Metric Definition:

Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC) measured as a 1:5 soil:water suspension.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the optimal range of Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC) for healthy alpine and subalpine soils in Australian conservation areas, reflecting natural ionic balance and nutrient status.

Justification:

This range effectively encompasses the mean EC values reported for the diverse array of natural alpine soil groups identified in their nationwide survey, including Organosols, Dermosols, and Rudosols.

Sources (1)

Preview of Patterns of variation in Australian alpine soils and their relationships to parent material, vegetation formation, climate and t

Patterns of variation in Australian alpine soils and their relationships to parent material, vegetation formation, climate and t Journal

Patterns of variation in Australian alpine soils and their relationships to parent material, vegetation formation, climate and topography

View Source

Supporting Sources (12)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Australia's protected areas - DCCEEW, accessed August 4, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Environmental Indicators for National State of the Environment Reporting: The Land

View Source

Australian Heritage Database - DCCEEW, accessed on May 25, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Australian Alps National Parks and Reserves - DCCEEW, accessed August 17, 2025,

View Source

Australian Subalpine Soil Invertebrate Diversity and Abundance Under Simulated Drought - ANU Student Journals

Contextual Support Journal

Australian Subalpine Soil Invertebrate Diversity and Abundance Under Simulated Drought - ANU Student Journals

View Source

Caring for our Australian Alps Catchments, accessed August 28, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Caring for our Australian Alps Catchments

View Source

Conservation in Australia: Definition, Issues, and Legal Framework - Access EP

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Conservation in Australia: Definition, Issues, and Legal Framework - Access EP

View Source

Electrical Conductivity - Soil Health Nexus

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Electrical Conductivity - Soil Health Nexus

View Source

Ionic regulation in an alpine peatland in the Bogong High Plains ...

Contextual Support Journal

Ionic regulation in an alpine peatland in the Bogong High Plains ...

View Source

Preview of Patterns of variation in Australian alpine soils and their relationships to parent material, vegetation formation, climate and topography | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed August 3, 2025,

Patterns of variation in Australian alpine soils and their relationships to parent material, vegetation formation, climate and topography | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed August 3, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Patterns of variation in Australian alpine soils and their relationships to parent material, vegetation formation, climate and topography | Request PDF - ResearchGate

View Source

Soil electrical conductivity (EC) is a measure of the amount ... - USDA

Contextual Support Journal

Soil Electrical Conductivity - Guides for Educators

View Source

The impact of climate change and wildfire on decadal alpine vegetation dynamics, accessed on May 28, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

The impact of climate change and wildfire on decadal alpine vegetation dynamics

View Source

theaustralianalpsnationalparks.org, accessed on May 29, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Maximising Plant Growth: The Importance of Potassium Fertiliser - Plant Needs Pty. Ltd., accessed May 28, 2025,

View Source

www.environment.nsw.gov.au, accessed on May 25, 2025,

Contextual Support

Australian Alps Montane Grasslands | One Earth, accessed on May 31, 2025

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Alpine and Subalpine Complex
Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
Assessment Conservation Target
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 17 Mar 2026

Notes

Soils with EC values within this range are characteristic of minimally disturbed alpine environments, reflecting the natural ionic balance, inherent nutrient status, and dominant leaching processes typical of healthy, functioning ecosystems in this biome.