Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)
Benchmark Value
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 11 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 10 guard(s) constrain the result.
Evidence & Context
Based on available scientific evidence pertaining to natural background conditions in Australian alpine streams, a reference benchmark for water EC representing high ecological health under best-practice production forestry is proposed as < 30 µS/cm. An ideal aspirational target, reflecting the lowest observed natural background levels in undisturbed catchments, would be ≤ 25 µS/cm.
Water Electrical Conductivity (EC) in stream water as a measure of total dissolved ionic salts concentration.
This benchmark represents the natural background range of water electrical conductivity in Australian alpine streams under production forestry, indicating high ecological health when values are below 30 µS/cm.
The benchmark is based on natural background EC levels observed in healthy, undisturbed Australian alpine and subalpine streams and the assumption that best-practice production forestry should maintain water quality close to these natural conditions.
Sources (1)
The Effects of Road De-icing Salts on Water Quality and Macroinvertebrates in Australian Alpine Areas, 16
View SourceSupporting Sources (3)
Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.
ACTIVE MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH FOR THE ...
View SourceBest Management Practices for Forest Bioenergy Programs | Request PDF - ResearchGate
View SourceThe impact of forestry as a land use on water quality outcomes: An integrated analysis
View Source