Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-AIF-FOR-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

2 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 13 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 12 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

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

Evidence & Context

A lower critical threshold is proposed at < 2 dS/m (ECe).

Metric Definition:

Lower critical threshold of soil electrical conductivity below which soil structure is compromised due to clay dispersion.

Benchmark Definition:

Lower critical threshold for soil electrical conductivity indicating risk of soil structural degradation.

Justification:

Below this level, the risk of clay dispersion and structural degradation increases, undermining the system's ability to capture water from floods.

Sources (1)

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

Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

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

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 Pristine Reference
Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 18 Mar 2026

Notes

Excessively low electrolyte concentration can cause clay dispersion, destroying soil structure and critically impeding water infiltration from episodic floods.

Related Benchmarks

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