Elizabeth (Eh)

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

Area: 175 sq. km (0.9%)

Elizabeth land system occurs at relatively high elevation but below the subalpine tract, mainly in the northern parts of the East Victorian Uplands and along the major interfluves of the acid volcanics, mainly the Wellington Rhyolites and the Snowy River Volcanics. The terrain is mountainous with ridge-and-ravine topography and long, steep slopes, occasionally leading down to major streams, notably the Wellington River.

The land is similar in geology and topography to Carrabungla land system but it is much more humid, particularly in the west.

High rainfall in a cool climate and parent rocks that weather relatively easily have produced moderately-deep soils except on very steep slopes. The soils are well-aggregated and have a crumb or granular structure in the upper horizons but may become massive and earthy in the subsoil. They are moderately acidic and permeable.

The vegetation is mainly shrubby open forest II or III. On the protected upper slopes, mostly at higher elevations, the forests are often layered and have species indicative of humid conditions.

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

Slopes with shrubby open forest of box and stringybark species typical of component 1.

CLIMATE Rainfall, mean (mm) Temperature, mean (°C) Seasonal growth limitations	Annual 800 - 14(X): 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: January. February; occasional winter snow
GEOLOGY Age, lithology	Devonian rhyolites and rhyodacites (Wellington Rhyolites and Snowy River Volcanics)
PHYSIOGRAPHY Landscape Elevation range (m) Relative relief (m) Drainage pattern Drainage density (km/km²)	Steep mountains with ridge-and-ravine topography 180 - 1520 120 - 540 Dendritic 1.0
PRESENT LAND USE	Uncleared: hardwood forestry (mainly for general construction); apiculture; summer hush grazing of cattle; recreation — bushwalking

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

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

LAND COMPONENT Percentage of land system Diagnostic features	1 80 Exposed slopes and ridges	2 20 Protected upper slopes
PHYSIOGRAPHY Slope %, typical and (range) Slope shape	30 - 40. (10 - 60) Straight	30 - 40, (10 - 60) Straight
SOIL
Parent material	Rhyolite and rhyodacite	Rhyolite and rhyodacite
Description	Brown sandy loam to clay loam merging into sometimes stony red or brown sandy clay loam to clay loam	Black sandy loam to clay loam merging into sometimes stony brown sandy clay loam to clay loam
Classification	Brown and Red Earths. some Lithosols Um5.52, Gn2.41	Brown Earths, some Lithosols Um6.21, Um7.11
Surface texture	Sandy loam to clay loam
Surface consistence	Soft to slightly hard
Depth (m)	<1.5
Nutrient status	Low to moderate
Available soil water capacity	Moderate
Perviousness to water	Rapid
Drainage	Good
Exposed stone (%)	<15
Sampled profile number	-	-
NATIVE VEGETATION Structure of vegetation and characteristic species of dominant stratum (+ Predominant species)	Shrubby open forest II. III: E. obliqua+ or E. sieberi+; E. polyanthemos and E. muellerana often associated	Open forest III (often shrubby or layered): E. delegatensis+, often with E. rubida. Possibly replaced by E. regnans+ and E. obliqua at lower elevations

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: a) increased deep percolation b) increased regolith wetness Decreased root-binding	Nutrient loss Soil creep Soil creep	Not determined 1,2: high 12; high	Not determined Not determined Not determined	Removal of trees Accelerated by clearing of native vegetation Accelerated by clearing of native vegetation	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	12; high	Not determined	Clearing, logging, burning, overgrazing, 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	1,2; low - moderate 1.2: high	Not determined Not determined	Reduced organic matter in topsoil As for sheet and rill erosion above	- Increased flash flows
Increased soil disruption	Increased soil break-up	Gully erosion	12; high	Not determined	As for sheet and rill erosion above	Increased sediment load.
Comments: No observations of deterioration

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