Soil/Landform Unit 54

Near level plains south of Elaine. The occurrence of spiny rush on these plains indicates that drainage is relatively low

Area:

986 ha

0.07% of CMA region

The gently undulating plains in the Myrniong and Morrisons area are derived from

Quaternary

volcanics. Vegetation classes include Plains Grassy Woodland, Basalt Escarpment Shrubland and Grassy Dry Forest. The weathered basalt has moderate inherent fertility levels and a moderate water holding capacity. Soils include

acidic

and neutral

mottled

black texture contrast soils. There are minor occurrences of acidic mottled brown, grey or yellow and mottled brown texture contrast soils, and neutral shallow grey clays with a few surface stones. There are areas of extensive

gilgai microrelief

where the soils are acidic mottled black or neutral mottled brown, grey or yellow texture contrast soils. Sheet and rill erosion is associated with major rainfall events while gully erosion and

leaching

of salts also occur lower in the topography.

The main land use of these plains is grazing for fat lamb production
	Minor ripping has been undertaken in this paddock for deep drainage

Component	1	2	3	4
Proportion of soil-landform unit	63%	2%	1%	34%
CLIMATE Rainfall (mm)	Annual: 670
Temperature (^oC)	Minimum 8, Maximum 18
Precipitation less than potential evapotranspiration	October-March
GEOLOGY Age and lithology	Quaternary basalt, Neogene fluvio-marine sand, minor clay, sand and gravel, minor Ordovician marine sandstone and shale
Geomorphology	2.1.4 Dissected Western Uplands associated with volcanic landforms
LANDUSE	Uncleared: Nature conservation, water supply Cleared: Seep and beef cattle grazing; cropping (cereal)
TOPOGRAPHY Landscape	Gently undulating plains
Elevation range (m)	111-370
Local relief (m)	2
Drainage pattern	Dendritic
Drainage density (km/km²)	0.6
Landform	Slightly dissected plains			Level plain
Landform element	Long gentle upper slopes	Depression	Stony rise
Slope and range (%)	2 (1-3)	1 (1-2)	3 (2-5)	2 (1-3)
Slope shape	Straight	Straight	Convex	Convex
NATIVE VEGETATION Ecological Vegetation Class	Plains Grassy Woodland (3.0%), Basalt Escarpment Shrubland (0.7%), Grassy Dry Forest (0.6%)
Dominant species	E. ovata, E. viminalis, E. rubida, E. obliqua
SOIL Parent material	In situ weathered rock	Alluvium	In situ weathered basalt	In situ weathered basalt
Description (Corangamite Soil Group)	Mottled brown, gey or yellow, grey sodic texture contrast soil, coarse structure (35/36)	Black clay soil, coarse structure (31)	Red shallow, stony gradational soil (40)	Black clay soil, coarse structure (39)
Soil type sites	SW86, CLRA49, MM5015	SW37, CLRA48, CLRA15	BD5, SW96, SW26	SFS2, SW89, SW101
Surface texture	Clay loam	Clay	Clay loam	Heavy clay
Permeability	Moderate to low	Moderate	High	Moderate
Depth (m)	1.5	1.5	0.5	1.5
LAND CHARACTERISTICS, POTENTIAL AND LIMITATIONS	Hardsetting surfaces and low permeability leads to overland flow. This flow often creates sheet and rill erosion with major rainfall events. Gully erosion and leaching of salts also occur.	Heavier clay soils beside creeks are prone to waterlogging. Streambank undercutting and streambank erosion also occur.	Hardsetting surfaces and low permeability leads to overland flow. This flow often creats sheet and rill erosion with majro rainfall events.	Steep slopes, Hardsetting surfaces and low permeability lead to overland flow. This often creates sheets and rill erosion with major rainfall events.

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