Nuntin (Nt)

	Area: 38 sq. km (0.2%) This small land system occurs in what were probably the downstream parts of prior stream systems on the later Pleistocene terrace. Raised alluvial ridges of generally sandy materials alternate with clay flats. Bedding layers are clearly evident in some of the sandier deposits south-west of Sale. East of Sale the deposits tend to be medium-textured and near Lake Wellington they merge with the sand deposits of Clydebank land system. Some aeolian deformation of the sandier deposits has occurred. Fine sediments dominate but there are areas of sands. Generally the materials are of Holocene age and have undergone little soil formation beyond the accumulation of organic matter in the topsoil and the development of mottles in the less well-drained subsoils. The deeper subsoils tend to be neutral or alkaline in reaction but the topsoils have been sufficiently leached to be moderately or mildly acidic.	A very gently undulating plain, the predominant terrain of Nuntin land system
As the groundwater generally occurs between 1 and 2 m below the surface, and tends to be moderately to highly saline, there is a moderate salinity hazard. The native vegetation, probably an E. tereticornis grassy woodland II, or ferny woodland II on deeper sands, has been almost entirely removed.

CLIMATE Rainfall, mean (mm) Temperature, mean (°C) Seasonal growth limitations	Annual 500 - 800; lowest July (30 - 50), highest October (50 - 80) Annual 12 - 14; lowest July (8 - 10), highest February (19 - 21) Temperature < 10°C (av.): June - August Rainfall < potential evapotranspiration: November – March
GEOLOGY Age, lithology	Upper Pleistocene alluvial and some aeolian sand deposits
PHYSIOGRAPHY Landscape Elevation range (m) Relative relief (m) Drainage pattern Drainage density (km/km²)	Alluvial rises, occasionally with aeolian deformation, and intervening clay floors 0 - 20 0 - 5 Dendritic 0.3
PRESENT LAND USE	Cleared: grazing of cattle and sheep; mining of sand deposits

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

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

LAND COMPONENT Percentage of land system Diagnostic features	1 60 Gently undulating plains	2 40 Rises, often dune-like
PHYSIOGRAPHY Slope %, typical and (range) Slope shape	1 - 2, (0 - 4) Various	3 - 5, (0 - 8) Convex
SOIL
Parent material	Alluvium of variable texture and aeolian sand
Description	Variable; greyish brown siliceous sand over buried clay; black to dark greyish brown clay loam, light clay or lighter textured topsoil grading into mottled brown or grey clay subsoil; may be calcareous	Single observation — greyish brown sand or loamy sand becoming more reddish brown or yellowish red with depth. Soils possibly calcareous
Classification	Wiesenboden, Siliceous Sands Gn3.23, Gn4.53, Gn4.82, Um2.21, Uc4.32, Uc5.23	Alluvial Soils Uc1.23
Surface texture	Variable	Sand or loamy sand
Surface consistence	Variable	Soft or loose when dry, friable when moist
Depth (m)	>2.0	>2.0
Nutrient status	Moderate, sometimes low	Low
Available soil water capacity	Moderate, sometimes low	Low
Perviousness to water	Moderate to rapid	Rapid
Drainage	Somewhat poor	Good
Exposed stone (%)	0	0
Sampled profile number	20	-
NATIVE VEGETATION Structure of vegetation and characteristic species of dominant stratum (+ Predominant species)	Grassy woodland II or, on deeper sands, ferny woodland II: E. tereticornis+

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: a) increased deep percolation and leaching b) raised saline groundwater table	Nutrient loss Salting	1; low 2; moderate 1; moderate	Not determined Common	Removal of trees Removal of trees	Increased movement of water to groundwater; increased base-flow streams Increased movement of water to groundwater; increased base-flow streams
Increased exposure of surface soil	Increased wind velocity over soil and increased detachment of sand	Wind erosion	2; moderate	Uncommon	Road dam building and other earth-moving activities, trafficking by stock and vehicles, cultivating.	Encroachment by sand
Increased physical pressure on soil	Increased compaction With Reduced infiltration	Structure decline Waterlogging	1; moderate 1; moderate	Uncommon Common	Increased trafficking cultivation, overgrazing, export of organic matter As for structure decline above	- Increased ponding of water in lower areas
Increased soil disruption	Increased loosening of sand	Wind erosion	2; moderate	Uncommon	As for wind erosion above	Encroachment by sand
Comments: Salting has been recorded in an area west of Lake Wellington

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