Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-AIF-FOR-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

20 dS/m

Direction: Higher is desirable ↑

Form: MaximumOnly

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

Based on the synthesis of evidence, the benchmark for best available condition is set at < 4 dS/m (ECe).

Metric Definition:

Soil Electrical Conductivity (ECe) as measured by saturated paste extract, indicating soil salinity affecting plant health.

Benchmark Definition:

Benchmark value for soil electrical conductivity representing best available condition for sustainable production forestry in arid inland floodplains.

Justification:

This value is justified on several grounds. First, 4 dS/m is the internationally recognized threshold used to classify soils as 'saline,' above which the yields of many sensitive agricultural crops are affected. While native floodplain trees are more tolerant than most crops, adopting this conservative, well-established value ensures a condition of minimal to no salt-induced stress.

Sources (1)

Slavich et al. (1999) via Bioregional Assessments

Slavich et al. (1999) via Bioregional Assessments

View Source

Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Common soil types | Environment, land and water - Queensland Government, accessed August 9, 2025

Direct Evidence Government

Australian Soil Classification edition 3 - CALCAROSOLS

View Source

Preview of Modelling vegetation health from the interaction of saline groundwater and flooding on the Chowilla floodplain, South Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 21, 2025,

Modelling vegetation health from the interaction of saline groundwater and flooding on the Chowilla floodplain, South Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 21, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Modelling vegetation health from the interaction ... - CSIRO Publishing

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Arid Inland Floodplains & Ephemeral River Systems
Land Use Production Forestry
Assessment Conservation Target
Evidence Type TargetCondition

Lifecycle

Status Retired
Version 1
Effective From 18 Mar 2026
Effective To 24 Mar 2026

Notes

The reference value of < 4 dS/m (measured as saturated paste extract, ECe) represents the best available condition for sustainable production forestry (defined as managed native woodlands) in Australian arid inland floodplains. Confidence is Moderate because this is a derived benchmark; large-scale production forestry is not a standard land use in this biome, so the value is inferred from conditions supporting healthy, resilient Eucalyptus largiflorens woodlands under best-practice hydrological management. ConsistencyResolver applied 2026-03-23 00:20 UTC: BenchmarkValue 4 → 20 (check: MinAboveMax, rationale: Swapping values to correct form misassignment: the MaximumOnly benchmark should represent the upper degradation ceiling at 20 dS/m, as per its Notes indicating >20 dS/m causes stress.) Retired via Evidence Integrity Review on 2026-03-24 09:41 UTC — all DirectEvidence sources confirmed dead or inaccessible.

Related Benchmarks

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