Clifford (Cd)

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

Area: 185 sq. km (1.0%)

All cliffs and precipitous mountain slopes are included in Clifford land system, except those which are densely forested. The latter are included in Kirchubel land system. Slopes are steeper than for most of the ridge-and-ravine terrain and are sometimes almost vertical. Inclined stratigraphic sequences of hard and soft rocks are characteristic and prominent outcrops of resistant rock are common. Many of the precipitous slopes have been caused by erosion of softer materials underlying more resistant strata. Major rivers flow through some of the rocky ravines. Lithology and degree of humidity vary considerably within the land system.

Steep slopes, water-shedding, rock outcrop and a high proportion of bare ground results in very high, natural erosion rates. At the same time, the high proportion of resistant rocks leads to a slow rate of soil formation. As a result the soils, where they occur, are very shallow, stony and well leached. Any disturbances can only cause an increase in the already high natural erosion rates.

The vegetation is often sparse. Open forest or woodland I or II predominate, with grasslands and shrublands on rockier slopes or at higher elevations.

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

Stratigraphic sequences of hard and soft rock are apparent on the steep slopes and rocky cliffs overlooking Bryce's Gorge.

CLIMATE Rainfall, mean (mm) Seasonal growth limitations	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	Variable; mainly Palaeozoic sandstones, siltstones. mudstones, conglomerates and Devonian rhyolites and rhyodacites
PHYSIOGRAPHY Landscape Elevation range (m) Relative relief (m) Drainage pattern Drainage density (km/km²)	Very steep and precipitous mountain slopes and cliffs 200 - 1640 200 - 680 Dendritic 1.2
PRESENT LAND USE	Uncleared: scenically attractive; recreation; virtually no useful timber harvested

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

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

LAND COMPONENT Percentage of land system Diagnostic features	1 55 Very steep slopes	2 45 Precipitous slopes and cliffs at higher elevations with prominently exposed rock strata
PHYSIOGRAPHY Slope %, typical and (range) Slope shape	50 - 70, (40 - 100) Straight	Variable, (60 - vertical) Straight
SOIL
Parent material	Resistant sedimentary rock, such as quartzitic sandstone. interbedded with more weatherable siltstone and mudstone; rhyolite and rhyodacite
Description	Dark loamy topsoil grading into brown or slightly reddish brown loam to clay loam subsoil: moderately to strongly acidic: very shallow and stony, rock outcrop common
Classification	Lithosols Um1.43/Um5.51
Surface texture	Only loam observed
Surface consistence	Probably slightly hard when dry, friable when moist
Depth (m)	<0.4
Nutrient status	Low
Available soil water capacity	Low
Perviousness to water	Moderate
Drainage	Good to excessive
Exposed stone (%)	Probably50 - 100
Sampled profile number	-
NATIVE VEGETATION Structure of vegetation and characteristic species of dominant stratum (+ Predominant species)	Open forest or woodland I, II: Species vary with exposure and elevation — E. pauciflora on higher more exposed sites grading into E. dives, often with E. rubida. Or into E. macrorhyncha with E. mannifera or E. goniocalyx,- F. polyanthemos sometimes associated. F. delegatensis occurs on most protected sites	Mainly grasslands of Poa spp., Danthonia spp. and Themeda australis with Leptorhynchos squamatus and Craspedia glauca: some heathlands including Crowea exalata, Brachyloma daphnoides and Leucopogon Worms. Trees, as for component I, often on structural ledges

Disturbance	Affected process and trend	Primary resultant deterioration			Casual activities	Primary off-site process
Disturbance	Affected process and trend	Form	Susceptibility of components	Incidence with components	Casual 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 increased deep percolation. Decreased root-binding	Nutrient loss Soil creep	Not determined 1; low	Not determined Not determined	Removal of trees Accelerated by clearing of native vegetation	Increased movement of water to groundwater; increased base-flow of streams Increased sediment load
Increased exposure of surface soil	Increased overland flow and soil detachment	Sheet and rill erosion	1.2; high	Not determined	Clearing, logging, burning, road building and other earth-moving activities	Increased flash flows and sediment load.
Increased physical pressure on soil	Increased compaction With reduced infiltration	Structure decline Sheet and rill erosion	1; low 1.2; high	Not determined Not determined	Loss of organic matter from topsoil As for sheet and rill erosion above	- Increased flash flows
Increased soil disruption	Increased soil break-up	Gully erosion	I: high	Not determined	As for sheet and rill erosion above	Increased sediment load.
Comments: No observations of deterioration

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