Freestone (Fr)

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

Area: 17 sq. km (0.1%)

Towards the end of the period when the later Pleistocene terrace materials were being deposited, a small preliminary drop in base level, probably caused by a eustatic movement, seems to have occurred. Freestone land system is mapped on this lower planation surface. whereas remnants of the alluvial outwash fans, are mapped in the Briagalong land system. Materials are broadly similar to those of Briagolong land system but the soils are slightly younger and the alluvium often contains coarse, subangular gravels.

Most of the surficial alluvial deposits are clays and silts. The dominant soils are relatively young. reddish and uniformly textured with alkaline subsoils. The reddish colours may be the result of good deep percolation or be inherited from the parent alluvium. In the poorly-drained, yellowish soils of low-lying areas, it is probable that little soil formation beyond organic matter accumulation and mottling has taken place.

The native vegetation, probably grassy open forest II dominated by E. tereticornis, has been almost entirely cleared.

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

The flat terrain in the foreground is typical of Freestone land system; Redgum 2 land system is in the background at a higher elevation

CLIMATE Temperature, mean (°C) Seasonal growth limitations	Annual 12 - 14; lowest July (8 - I0), highest February (19 - 21) Temperature <10°C (av.): June - August Rainfall < potential evapotranspiration: November – March
GEOLOGY Age, lithology	Upper Pleistocene alluvial outwash terrace of gravels, sands, minor silts and clays
PHYSIOGRAPHY Landscape Elevation range (m) Relative relief (m) Drainage pattern Drainage density (km/km²)	Alluvial plain 20 - 60 0 - 5 Undeveloped 0.3
PRESENT LAND USE	Cleared: mostly grazing of beef and dairy cattle on irrigated, improved pastures; some cropping; apiculture

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

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

LAND COMPONENT Percentage of land system Diagnostic features	1 80 Gently undulating plains	2 20 Channels. swales and depressed areas
PHYSIOGRAPHY Slope %, typical and (range) Slope shape	<5, (0 - 10) Straight or slightly convex	1, (0 - 51 Concave
SOIL
Parent material	Alluvium, probably mainly medium- and fine-textured: some gravel
Description	Limited observations — reddish with somewhat lighter coloured subsurface (A,) horizons: uniform, medium or fine textures. Gravelly subsoil may be typical	No observations — probably mainly mottled greyish brown fine textured: likely to he inundated at times by run-off
Classification	Red Earths Um5.52	Wiesenboden probably -
Surface texture	Probably loam to clay loam	Probably clay loam to clay
Surface consistence	Slightly hard to hard when dry	Firm when moist
Depth (m)	>2.0	>2.0
Nutrient status	Moderate	Moderate
Available soil water capacity	Moderate	Moderate
Perviousness to water	Slow to moderate	Slow
Drainage	Moderately good to good	Very poor to poor
Exposed stone (%)	0	0
Sampled profile number	-	-
NATIVE VEGETATION Structure of vegetation and characteristic species of dominant stratum (+ Predominant species)	Probably mainly grassy open forest II of E. tereticornis Clearing has made it difficult to determine if any other predominant or associated tree species

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	Reduced transpiration; resulting in increased deep percolation	Nutrient loss	Not determined	Not determined	Removal of trees	Increased movement of water to groundwater: increased base-flow of streams
Increased exposure of surface soil	Increased overland flow and soil detachment	Sheet and rill erosion	1: low	Uncommon	Cultivating, overgrazing, road building and other earth-moving activities, 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; moderate 2; high 1; low	Uncommon Uncommon	Increased trafficking, cultivation, overgrazing, export of organic matter As for sheet and rill erosion above	- Increased ponding of water
Increased soil disruption	Increased soil break-up	Gully erosion	1: low 2: low. but high in channels	Uncommon, except in minor channelled areas	As for sheet and rill erosion above	Increased sediment load.
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