Soil/Landform Unit 35

The low eruption poin occurs at Scarsdale, south of Smythesdale

Area:

27 ha

<0.01% of CMA region

The relatively steep eruption point in the Scarsdale area is a relatively minor eruption point of the Western Plains. This eruption point has steep rocky slopes and crest. The soils are shallow, red or black loamy soils. These well structured red or black soils have a high inherent fertility and water holding capacity. Local relief of this eruption point is 35 m with no developed drainage network. The vegetation class Plains Grassy Woodland is significant for this small unit. The land use is confined to grazing (mainly sheep) owing to the steepness and rocky nature of slopes. Land degradation issues include rapid overland flow from steep slopes and sheet and rill erosion.

Western slopes of the low cone at Scarsdale

Component	1	2	3
Proportion of soil-landform unit	30%	20%	50%
CLIMATE Rainfall (mm)	Annual: 670
Temperature (^oC)	Minimum 7, Maximum 18
Precipitation less than potential evapotranspiration	October-April
GEOLOGY Age and lithology	Quaternary basalt
Geomorphology	2.1.4 Dissected Western Uplands associated with volcanic landforms
LANDUSE	Uncleared areas: Nature conservation Cleared areas: Sheep and beef cattle grazing; cropping (cereal)
TOPOGRAPHY Landscape	Eruption point with steep rocky slopes
Elevation range (m)	345-380
Local relief (m)	35
Drainage pattern	-
Drainage density (km/km²)	1.1
Landform	Cone
Landform element	Rocky crest and upper slopes	Steep rocky mid slopes	Lower slopes
Slope and range (%)	6 (1-15)	15 (10-32)	8 (5-15)
Slope shape	Convex	Irregular	Concave
NATIVE VEGETATION Ecological Vegetation Class	Plains Grassy Woodland (13.6%)
SOIL Parent material	Scoria and basalt	Scoria and basalt	Scoria and basalt
Description (Corangamite Soil Group)	Shallow red or blacky loam soils (40)	Shallow red or blacky loam soils (40)	Shallow red or blacky loam soils (40)
Soil type sites	SW26, SW96, BD5	SW26, SW96, BD5	SW26, SW96, BD5
Surface texture	Loam	Clay loam	Clay loam
Permeability	Very high	High	High
<0.6Depth (m)	<0.7	<1
LAND CHARACTERISTICS, POTENTIAL AND LIMITATIONS	Loam (heavy) soils, shallow and friable. Low to moderate water holding capacity, moderate to high nutrient holding capacity. Often stony. Moderately rapid site drainage with slight susceptibility to sheet erosion.	Loam (heavy) soils, shallow and friable. Low to moderate water holding capacity, moderate to high nutrient holding capacity. Often stony. Rapid site drainage with slight susceptibility to sheet erosion.	Loam (heavy) soils, shallow and friable. Low to moderate water holding capacity, moderate to high nutrient holding capacity. Often stony. Moderately rapid site drainage with slight susceptibility to sheet erosion.

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