Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-AIF-AGR-WEC General High confidence

Benchmark Value

160 µS/cm

Range: 150 to 300 µS/cm

Thresholds: Lower: 125, Upper: 300

Optimal Range: 150 to 300

Direction: Higher is desirable ↑

Form: Point

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 15 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 14 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

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

Evidence & Context

A reference value of 160 µS/cm is selected as the benchmark.

Metric Definition:

Water Electrical Conductivity (EC) in water during stable 'flow' conditions in arid inland floodplain river systems.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the median electrical conductivity observed during stable flow conditions in Cooper Creek, reflecting a healthy aquatic ecosystem within the arid inland floodplain biome under agricultural crop production.

Justification:

This value is selected as a proxy for the best available condition achievable under regenerative agriculture, reflecting a healthy, connected, and functioning ecosystem within the region.

Sources (1)

Preview of (PDF) Water quality in two Australian dryland rivers: spatial and ...

(PDF) Water quality in two Australian dryland rivers: spatial and ... Journal

(PDF) Water quality in two Australian dryland rivers: spatial and ..., accessed July 17, 2025,

View Source

Supporting Sources (1)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Salinity tolerance in irrigated crops - NSW Department of Primary ..., accessed July 17, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Fertilising Australian Native Plants: Tips for a Healthy Garden, accessed July 10, 2025,

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Arid Inland Floodplains & Ephemeral River Systems
Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 18 Mar 2026

Notes

Lower Critical Threshold: 125 µS/cm. Upper Detrimental Threshold: 300 µS/cm. Optimal ecological range is 150-300 µS/cm supporting healthy aquatic life.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-AIF-AGR-WEC family.