Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TGP-FOR-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 0.03 to 1 dS/m
Optimal Range: 0.03 to 1
Direction: Lower 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 4 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 3 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MinimumOnly Guard Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

The optimal range for maintaining high ecological health is considered to be 0.03 to < 1.0 dS/m.

Metric Definition:

Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC) range for maintaining ecological health and sustainable production forestry.

Benchmark Definition:

Safe operating range of Soil Electrical Conductivity for maintaining ecological health in temperate grassy woodlands under production forestry.

Justification:

Includes natural variation and buffer below detrimental salinity levels.

Sources (2)

Preview of Determining baselines, drivers and trends of soil health and stability ..., accessed July 12, 2025,
Determining baselines, drivers and trends of soil health and stability ..., accessed July 12, 2025, Journal

Phosphorus: a finite resource essential for life, critical for agriculture and food security, accessed July 19, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Soil Electrical Conductivity - Natural Resources Conservation Service, accessed May 16, 2025,
Soil Electrical Conductivity - Natural Resources Conservation Service, accessed May 16, 2025, Journal

USDA 12

View Source

Supporting Sources (30)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate, accessed August 11, 2025,
(PDF) Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate, accessed August 11, 2025,
Direct Evidence Journal

Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate

View Source
Preview of (PDF) The salt-waterlogging tolerance of Eucalyptus camaldulensis × E. globulus hybrids, accessed August 9, 2025
(PDF) The salt-waterlogging tolerance of Eucalyptus camaldulensis × E. globulus hybrids, accessed August 9, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) The salt-waterlogging tolerance of Eucalyptus camaldulensis × E. globulus hybrids, accessed August 9, 2025

View Source
Preview of Apparent soil electrical conductivity in two different soil types1 - Redalyc, accessed August 9, 2025
Apparent soil electrical conductivity in two different soil types1 - Redalyc, accessed August 9, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Apparent soil electrical conductivity in two different soil types1 - Redalyc, accessed August 9, 2025

View Source
Preview of AusEarthed. (n.d.). Soil Reading.
AusEarthed. (n.d.). Soil Reading.
Contextual Support Journal

Arnhem Plateau Sandstone Shrubland Complex Ecological Community - listing advice, accessed May 20, 2025

View Source
Preview of Australia's native forests and wood production - DAFF, accessed August 9, 2025
Australia's native forests and wood production - DAFF, accessed August 9, 2025
Contextual Support Government

ABARES report on the importance of Australia's native forests and wood production

View Source
Preview of Australia's State of the Forests Report 2018 13 Criterion 4 - DAFF, accessed August 1, 2025,
Australia's State of the Forests Report 2018 13 Criterion 4 - DAFF, accessed August 1, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Victoria's State of the Forests Report 2013, accessed March 28, 2026,

View Source
Preview of Australia's State of the Forests Report, accessed August 12, 2025
Australia's State of the Forests Report, accessed August 12, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management in Victoria, accessed March 28, 2026,

View Source
Preview of Australia's Sustainable Forest Management - DAFF, accessed July 12, 2025,
Australia's Sustainable Forest Management - DAFF, accessed July 12, 2025,
Contextual Support

Sustainable forest management: the Australian context - DAFF, accessed July 12, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Australian dryland soils are acidic and nutrient-depleted, and have unique microbial communities compared with other drylands - PMC, accessed August 5, 2025,
Australian dryland soils are acidic and nutrient-depleted, and have unique microbial communities compared with other drylands - PMC, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Root Structure and Functioning for Efficient Acquisition of Phosphorus: Matching Morphological and Physiological Traits

View Source
Preview of Australian Soil Classification - ResearchGate, accessed August 9, 2025
Australian Soil Classification - ResearchGate, accessed August 9, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Australian Soil Classification - ResearchGate, accessed August 9, 2025

View Source
Preview of Bioregions and EVC benchmarks - Environment, accessed August 5, 2025,
Bioregions and EVC benchmarks - Environment, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Eastern NSW Plant Community Type Percentage Cleared Calculation Technical Notes - Environment and Heritage

View Source
Preview of EUCALYPTS FOR USE IN SALINE REVEGETATION - DBCA Library, accessed August 9, 2025
EUCALYPTS FOR USE IN SALINE REVEGETATION - DBCA Library, accessed August 9, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

EUCALYPTS FOR USE IN SALINE REVEGETATION - DBCA Library, accessed August 9, 2025

View Source
Preview of Factors affecting forest health, accessed August 9, 2025
Factors affecting forest health, accessed August 9, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Gully erosion prediction across a large region: Murray–Darling Basin, Australia, accessed August 28, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Forest Soils: Properties and Management | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed August 9, 2025
Forest Soils: Properties and Management | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed August 9, 2025
Contextual Support

Forest Soils: Properties and Management | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed August 9, 2025

View Source
Preview of Graham, R. C., & Wilson, B. R. (2007). The influence of scattered trees on soil properties in temperate pastures. Soil Research, 45(2), 121-131.
Graham, R. C., & Wilson, B. R. (2007). The influence of scattered trees on soil properties in temperate pastures. Soil Research, 45(2), 121-131.
Contextual Support Journal

Towards restoration of grassy White and Yellow Box woodlands ..., accessed August 9, 2025

View Source
Preview of How do fire regimes affect ecosystem structure, function and diversity in grasslands and grassy woodlands of southern Australia?, accessed August 10, 2025,
How do fire regimes affect ecosystem structure, function and diversity in grasslands and grassy woodlands of southern Australia?, accessed August 10, 2025,
Contextual Support

Soil | Australia state of the environment 2021

View Source
Preview of Identifying ecological barriers to restoration in temperate grassy woodlands: soil changes associated with different degradation states - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,
Identifying ecological barriers to restoration in temperate grassy woodlands: soil changes associated with different degradation states - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) Identifying ecological barriers to restoration in temperate grassy woodlands: soil changes associated with different degradation states - ResearchGate, accessed August 4, 2025,

View Source
Preview of INFLUENCE OF SOIL ORGANIC MATTER ON FOREST PRODUCTIVITY* - Scion Research, accessed August 10, 2025,
INFLUENCE OF SOIL ORGANIC MATTER ON FOREST PRODUCTIVITY* - Scion Research, accessed August 10, 2025,
Contextual Support

Sustainable forest management and the ecosystem approach - an Australian perspective, accessed August 28, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Information and monitoring | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed August 9, 2025
Information and monitoring | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed August 9, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Information and monitoring | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed August 9, 2025

View Source
Preview of Plants for saline sites - Department for Environment and Water, accessed August 9, 2025
Plants for saline sites - Department for Environment and Water, accessed August 9, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Plants for saline sites - Department for Environment and Water, accessed August 9, 2025

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
Preview of Relating apparent electrical conductivity to soil properties across the north-central USA - USDA ARS, accessed August 9, 2025
Relating apparent electrical conductivity to soil properties across the north-central USA - USDA ARS, accessed August 9, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Salinity - Murray–Darling Basin Authority, accessed August 11, 2025

View Source
Preview of Salinity - Murray–Darling Basin Authority, accessed August 11, 2025,
Salinity - Murray–Darling Basin Authority, accessed August 11, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Basin Plan water quality targets; Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (ANZG 2018/ANZECC 2000); Australia State of the Environment 2021: Inland water

View Source
Preview of Salinity and water quality
Salinity and water quality
Contextual Support Government

Salinity - Murray–Darling Basin Authority

View Source
Preview of Salt tolerance in Eucalyptus spp.: Identity and response of putative ..., accessed August 9, 2025
Salt tolerance in Eucalyptus spp.: Identity and response of putative ..., accessed August 9, 2025
Contextual Support

Salt tolerance in Eucalyptus spp.: Identity and response of putative ..., accessed August 9, 2025

View Source
Preview of Soil | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed August 3, 2025,
Soil | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed August 3, 2025,
Contextual Support

The effects of clipping frequency and nitrogen fertilisation on greenhouse gas emissions and net ecosystem exchange in an Australian temperate grassland - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal

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

Mapping soil organic carbon fractions for Australia, their stocks, and uncertainty - BG, accessed August 28, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Soil Mapping Using Electromagnetic Induction to Assess the Suitability of Land for Growing Leptospermum nitens in Western Australia - Frontiers, accessed August 9, 2025
Soil Mapping Using Electromagnetic Induction to Assess the Suitability of Land for Growing Leptospermum nitens in Western Australia - Frontiers, accessed August 9, 2025
Methodology Source Journal

Investigating Microtopographic and Soil Controls on a Mountainous Meadow Plant Community Using High‐Resolution Remote Sensing, accessed March 28, 2026,

View Source
Preview of Victorian Forest Monitoring Program, accessed August 9, 2025
Victorian Forest Monitoring Program, accessed August 9, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Victorian Forest Monitoring Program, accessed August 9, 2025

View Source
Preview of Woodland Remnants and Dryland Salinity - Environment and Heritage, accessed August 9, 2025
Woodland Remnants and Dryland Salinity - Environment and Heritage, accessed August 9, 2025
Contextual Support

(PDF) Effects of salinisation on riparian plant communities in ..., accessed July 10, 2025,

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
  • Land Use Production Forestry
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Vegetation Woodland
  • Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 17 Mar 2026

Notes

Range provides buffer against degradation; values above indicate potential salinization.

Related Benchmarks

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

— dS/m Moderate
Production Forestry · Pristine Reference · Woodland
OptimalRange Active v1