Baldhead (Bd)

A study of the land in the Catchment of Gippsland Lakes - Vol 2 - land system Bald Head - geo

Area: 229 sq. km (1.1%)

Baldhead land system is restricted to the granites, granodiorites, gneissic-metamorphic and related coarsely-crystalline, plutonic rocks that occur mostly in the northern parts of the Eastern Victorian Uplands at relatively high elevation. Steep mountains with a ridge and-ravine pattern of dissection dominate, although some peaks are somewhat rounded. Small levees and alluvial flats, not extensive enough to map separately, occur occasionally along a few major streams, notably the La Trobe River. The area is similar in geology and topography to Blomford land system but is much more humid, with a corresponding difference in the vegetation and soils.

A cool climate, and high rainfall with parent rocks that weather relatively easily, have produced moderately deep, soils, even on steep slopes. Soils are well-aggregated, particularly in the upper profile, but in some places subsoils are apedal and earthy. They are moderately acidic and permeable.

Most of the area carries open forest III with a dense understorey which is layered on more protected aspects; lower, drier slopes carry open forest II.

A study of the land in the Catchment of Gippsland Lakes - Vol 2 - land system Bald Head - image

A steep slope with Eucalyptus delegatensis
(alpine ash) forest.

CLIMATE Rainfall, mean (mm)Temperature, mean (°C) Seasonal growth limitations	Annual 900 - 1600; lowest January or February (50 - 90), highest August or September (120 - 180) Annual 8 - 12; lowest July (3 - 7), highest February (16 - 20) Temperature <10°C (av.): April - October Rainfall < potential evapotranspiration: February; frequent winter snow
GEOLOGY Age, lithology	Palaeozoic granites, granodiorites, gneissic metamorphics and related coarsely crystalline plutonic rocks
PHYSIOGRAPHY Landscape Elevation range (m) Relative relief (m) Drainage pattern Drainage density (km/km²)	Steep mountains with ridge-and-ravine topography 240 - 1360 100 - 680 Dendritic 0.8
PRESENT LAND USE	Mostly uncleared: hardwood forestry (general construction and ash timber); some bush grazing of cattle; apiculture; small areas part of Baw Baw National Park.

A study of the land in the Catchment of Gippsland Lakes - Vol 2 - land system Bald Head - cs

A study of the land in the Catchment of Gippsland Lakes - Vol 2 - land system Bald Head - graph

LAND COMPONENT Percentage of land system Diagnostic features	1 75 Slopes with humid forest (non ash species)	2 15 Slopes with drier forest, usually at lower elevation	3 10 Protected slopes with humid ash forest
PHYSIOGRAPHY Slope %, typical and (range) Slope shape	30 - 40, (10 - 60) Straight	25 - 35. (10 - 60) Straight	30 - 40, (10 - 60) Straight
SOIL Parent Material	Granite. granodiorite and gneissic metamorphic rock
Description	Often stony, very dark greyish brown sandy loam to sandy clay loam merging into reddish brown sandy clay loam to sandy clay. Soils in component 2 usually shallower and stonier Gn2.11, Gn2.21, Um5.42, Um5.51		Black to very dark greyish brown sandy loam to sandy clay loam merging into brown or reddish brown sandy loam to clay loam: often stony. Generally deeper than in components 1 and 2
Classification	Brown and Red Earths, Lithosols		Brown and Red Earths Um6.12, Um6.21, Um6.23, Gn2.11
Surface texture		Sandy loam to sandy clay loam
Surface consistence		Soft
Depth (m)		<2.0
Nutrient status		Low to moderate
Available soil water capacity		Moderate
Perviousness to water		Rapid
Drainage		Good
Exposed stone (%)		Very variable: 0 - 75
Sampled profile number	-	-	-
NATIVE VEGETATION Structure of vegetation and characteristic species of dominant stratum (+ Predominant species)	Shrubby open forest 11, III: Pure or mixed stands of E. dives (often predominant), E. cypellocarpa. E. obliqua, E. rubida. Minor occurrences of E. pauciflora at higher elevations in N.E. E. viminalis in valleys	Open forest II: E. sieberi generally predominant on mid- to upper slopes and crests: E. macrorhyncha, E. rubida. E. obliqua and E. cypellocarpa associated. Minor occurrences of F. pauciflora at higher elevations in N.E.	Open forest II. often layered: Higher elevations — E. delegatensis Lower elevations — E. regnans+ with or without E. obliqua or E. rubida

Disturbance	Affected process and trend	Primary resultant deterioration			Causal activities	Primary off-site process
Disturbance	Affected process and trend	Form	Susceptibility of components	Incidence within components	Causal activities	Primary off-site process
Alteration of vegetation: — reduction in leaf area, rooting depth and/or perenniality — reduction in density of tree roots	Reduced transpiration, resulting in: a) increased deep percolation and leaching b) increased infiltration and regolith wetness Decreased root-binding	Nutrient loss Landslip and/or soil creep Soil creep	Not determined 1,2.3; low 12.3; moderate	Not determined Uncommon Uncommon	Removal of trees Usually after the removal of trees from steeper land Accelerated by clearing of trees	Increased movement of water to groundwater: increased base-flow of streams Increased sediment load Increased sediment load
Increased exposure of surface soil	Increased overland flow and soil detachment	Sheet and rill erosion	1,2,3; moderate	Uncommon	Clearing, logging, burning, overgrazing, road and dam building and other earth-moving activities, rabbit burrowing, trafficking by stock and vehicles.	Increased flash flows and sediment load.
Increased physical pressure on soil	Increased compaction with reduced infiltration	Structure decline Sheet and rill erosion	1,3; moderate - high 2; low 1.2,3: moderate	Uncommon Uncommon	Increased trafficking and cultivation, overgrazing, export of organic matter As for sheet and rill erosion above	- Increased flash flows
Increased soil disruption	Increased soil break-up	Gully erosion	1,2.3: moderate	Uncommon	As for sheet and rill erosion above	Increased sediment load.
Comments: Good growing conditions generally result in quick regeneration of vegetative cover except on exposed sites at high elevation.

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