Soil/Landform Unit 24

Undulating in the plain denoting the relatively subdued nature of this sedimentary landform

Area:

123 ha

0.01% of CMA region

The unit consists of gently undulating plains that occur west of Meredith. The broad rounded topography is in association with a Neogene capping of sands and other unconsolidated sediments. These plains comprise long gentle slopes with neutral

mottled

yellow and brown texture contrast soils and minor alkaline equivalents. Remnant vegetation includes

Eucalyptus ovata, E. viminalis, E. rubida

and

E. obliqua

of the Plains Grassy Woodlands. The slopes and depressions are mainly used for sheep and cattle grazing. While there may be minor cropping,

hardsetting

surfaces combined with slowly permeable subsoils often result in soil waterlogging. This is a major limitation to support a wide variety of land uses. Topsoils have a moderate to high water holding capacity where they are deep.

Cropping and fodder crops are main land uses with grazing of this unit
	Blue gum plantation on the soutnern boundary of this unit

Component	1	2	3
Proportion of soil-landform unit	95%	3%	2%
CLIMATE Rainfall (mm)	Annual: 700
Temperature (^oC)	Minimujm 7, Maximum 18
Precipitation less than potential evapotranspiration	October-March
GEOLOGY Age and lithology	Neogene sediments
Geomorphology	2.1.3 Dissected Western Uplands associated with Cainozoic gravel and sediments
LANDUSE	Uncleared: Nature conservation Cleared: Grazing; occasional cropping (cereal)
TOPOGRAPHY Landscape	Gently undulating plains
Elevation range (m)	348-364
Local relief (m)	2
Drainage pattern	Dendritic
Drainage density (km/km²)	0.6
Landform	Depressions
Landform element	Long gentle upper slopes	Depression	Crest
Slope and range (%)	1 (1-3)	1 (1-2)	3 (2-5)
Slope shape	Straight	Straight	Convex
NATIVE VEGETATION Ecological Vegetation Class	Plains Grassy Woodland (0.2%)
Dominant species	E. ovata, E. viminalis, E. rubida, E. obliqua
SOIL Parent material	Unconsolidated gravel, sand and clay	Unconsolidated gravel, sand and clay	Unconsolidated gravel, sand and clay
Description (Corangamite Soil Group)	Red mottled, brown, grey or yellow texture contrast soil, fine structure (15)	Black cracking lcay soil, coarse structure (31)	Red mottled, brown, grey or yellow texture contrast soil, fine structure (15)
Soil type sites	MM5109, OTR499, SW63, MM5308	SW37, CLRA48, CLRA15	MM5109, OTR499, SW63, MM5308
Surface texture	Sandy clay loam to loamy sand	Clay	Sandy clay loam to loamy sand
Permeability	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
Depth (m)	2	1.5	2
LAND CHARACTERISTICS, POTENTIAL AND LIMITATIONS	Hardsetting surfaces and slowly permeable subsoils often result in overland flow. Soil compaction and sheet erosion are also degradational limitations.	Hardsetting surfaces and slowly permeable subsoils often result in overland flow. Periodic waterlogging occurs in wet seasons. Soil compaction, streambank undercutting and streambank erosion are degradational issues.	Hardsetting surfaces and slowly permeable subsoils often results in overland flow. Soil compaction, sheet erosion and nutrient decline are also degradational issues.

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