Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-AIF-FOR-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

20 dS/m

Thresholds: Lower: 4, Upper: —

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: MinimumOnly

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

Therefore, an ECe of > 20 dS/m is proposed as the upper detrimental threshold.

Metric Definition:

Soil Electrical Conductivity (ECe) threshold above which significant ecosystem degradation occurs.

Benchmark Definition:

Upper detrimental threshold for soil electrical conductivity indicating onset of significant woodland ecosystem degradation.

Justification:

Based on the evidence of widespread dieback and classification of sodic clays as saline, significant ecosystem damage begins at this level.

Sources (2)

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

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

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

View Source

Supporting Sources (1)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Slavich et al. (1999) via Bioregional Assessments

Direct Evidence

Slavich et al. (1999) via Bioregional Assessments

View Source

Context

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

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 18 Mar 2026

Notes

An ECe of > 20 dS/m is associated with significant tree stress, mortality, and loss of ecological function. ConsistencyResolver applied 2026-03-23 00:20 UTC: LowerThreshold → 4 (check: MinAboveMax, rationale: Assigning LowerThreshold=4 to MinimumOnly benchmark to represent the lower degradation floor consistent with ecological meaning and Notes.) ConsistencyResolver applied 2026-03-23 00:20 UTC: UpperThreshold 20 → (check: MinAboveMax, rationale: Removing the incorrect UpperThreshold from MinimumOnly benchmark as it will now use LowerThreshold to represent the lower floor.)

Related Benchmarks

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