Waygara (Symbol: Wy)

EG220 | EG221 | EG248 | EG249 | EG250 | EG251 | Site 147 (Rees unpublished) | Site 153 (Rees unpublished)

Geology
Neogene (late Tertiary) alluvial sediments. The Tertiary sediments form the oldest ‘terraces’ and outwash fans from the uplands. The soils close to the Eastern Highlands the soil profile often has a gravelly component, but further south the soils are finer textured, with loamy fine sands to fine sandy loams overlying clays.

This early depositional sequence has been strongly dissected over time and sands, probably windblown from the many drainage lines, cover about 10 – 30% of the area. These soils often have organic matter and iron cemented sands in the subsoil, generally from about 70 cm – 1m.

Landform
The Waygara map unit encompasses undulating rises to rolling low hills. In the late Tertiary it is most likely that the area was an alluvial plain but since then this has been dissected and subject to periods of aridity, resulting in areas of deep sand cover. Consequently the map unit may be subdivided into two components.



Original vegetation
Lowland forest.

Soils
Component 1
Most of the soils of the Waygara map unit are texture contrast soils. The surface soils are strongly to moderately acidic and range from dark greyish brown loamy sands to sandy loams generally with a bleached subsurface soil. Brown medium to heavy clays, which are generally strongly to moderately acidic, occur at a variable depth, generally before 50 cm, typically with yellowish brown, grey or strong brown mottles. The sandy surface soils have a low nutrient and water holding capacity where the organic matter levels are low and are also prone to wind erosion; see EG 221, EG 248, EG 249, EG 250, EG 251. Areas of soils with sandy clay loam subsoils may also occur (Newell and Woodruff, 1962); see Site 147 Rees (unpublished).

Component 2
About 10 – 30% of the area is covered by deep sand generally with organic matter and iron cemented sands in the subsoil. In the Newell and Woodruff report (1962) it is called the Tostaree map unit (See EG 220).

Land use
Areas which have been cleared are used for grazing, but most of the uncleared land is public land and subject to forestry or is national park.

Previous maps and reports
A reconnaissance of soil and vegetation was made of an area south of Princes Highway between the Nowa Nowa River and Newmerella comprising about 20 250 ha, as well as a detailed survey of about 450 ha was made by J. W. Newell and B. J. Woodruff in 1962. This report is titled ‘Soils and Vegetation in the Hartland Area’, Soil Survey Report 34, Soils Section, Department of Agriculture.

Site EG220

Location: Lake Tyers	Geo. Ref. 0597100E 5813000N
Australian Soil Classification: Melacic, Humosesquic, Aeric PODOSOL	Uniform textured deep sand
General landscape description: Undulating rises
Geology: Tertiary sediments
Site description: Simple mid slope 3%, north east aspect
Land use: Grazing
Native vegetation: Lowland forest
Mapping unit: Waygara (Component 2)

Soil profile morphology

Surface soil
A11	0 – 25 cm	Very dark grey (10YR3/1); sand; apedal, single grain structure; diffuse change to:
A12	25 – 60 cm	Dark grey (10YR4/1); sand; apedal, single grain; clear change to:
A2	60 – 75 cm	Greyish brown (10YR5/2); sand; apedal, single grain; diffuse change to:
Subsoil
Bhs	75 – 95 cm	Greyish brown (10YR5/2); sand; apedal, single grain; with pockets of a mainly very dark brown (10YR3/2) weakly cemented organic pan; clear change to:
C	95 – 120 cm	Light brownish grey (10YR6/2); sand; apedal, single grain.
Key profile features Deep sandy profile Weakly cemented layer between 75 and 95 cm.

Soil profile characteristics

	pH	Sodicity	Slaking	Dispersion Dry	Dispersion Remoulded
Surface soil (A1 horizon)	Strongly acid	Non sodic	Minimal aggregation	Minimal aggregation	Minimal aggregation
Subsurface (A2horizon)	Strongly acid	Non sodic	Minimal aggregation	Minimal aggregation	Minimal aggregation
Deeper subsoil (70-95 cm)	Moderately acid	Non sodic	Minimal aggregation	Minimal aggregation	Minimal aggregation

Horizon	Depth cm	Field texture	pH water	pH CaCl2	EC dS/m	Coarse sand %	Fine sand %	Silt %	Clay %	Field cap. % w/w	Wilt. point % w/w	PAW* water % w/w
A1	0-25	S	5.3	4.2	<0.05	69	20	1	2	10.6	5.4	5.2
A2	25-60	S	5.5	4.3	<0.05	68	24	1	2	8.4	1.5	6.9
A3	60-75	S	5.9	4.8	<0.05	64	27	1	3	6.7	1.2	5.5
Bhs	75-95	S	6.0	5.0	<0.05	58	30	4	4	9.2	2.4	6.8

* PAW is plant available water. This is the difference between the soil water content at field capacity and wilting point.

Depth	OrgC#	Total N	Free Fe2O3	Exch. Al	Exchangeable cations cmol(+)/kg							Ca:Mg	ESP
cm	%	%	% w/w	ppm	Ca	Mg	K	Na	Total	H	CEC
0-25	1.8			<10	2.2	0.77	0.18	0.1	3.2	7.1	10.3	2.8	1
25-60	0.66	<0.05		20	0.76	0.22	<0.05	0.06	1.1	4.0	5.1	3.4	1
60-75	<0.30	<0.05		<10	0.55	0.38	<0.05	0.08	1.1	1.4	2.5	1.4	3
75-95	0.5	<0.05		<10	1.1	1.4	<0.05	0.18	2.6	4.9	7.5	0.8	2

# Organic carbon

Management considerations

Whole profile

• If the soil is under pasture with an effective rooting depth of 70 cm, the plant available water capacity is considered to be low (estimated at 52 mm). Because of the low wilting points throughout the profile, plants will be able to use very light rains when the soil is dry. Due to the low water storage capacity of the soil, plants will suffer water stress unless further rains occur.

Surface (A1 and A2) horizons

• The soil has a low organic matter content, but there are sufficient coarse roots to hold the soil together.
• The soils are strongly acidic and, if under pasture, may show a response to lime. Test strips should be first used to evaluate the cost/benefits.
• The nutrient holding capacity of the soil is very low (based on the sum of the exchangeable basic cations).
• Potassium levels are deficient and a strong response to potassium fertilizers would be expected if the soils are under pasture.

Subsoil (Bhs) horizon

• Even though this layer is cemented, it is sufficiently porous and well drained.

Site EG221

Location: Lake Tyers	Geo. Ref. 597003E 5812972N
Australian Soil Classification: Bleached Sodic, Magnesic, Brown KUROSOL	Sodic brown texture contrast soil
General landscape description: Undulating rises
Geology: Neogene sediments (Late Tertiary)
Site description: Simple upper slope 2%, north east aspect
Land use: Grazing
Native vegetation: Lowland forest
Mapping unit: Waygara

Soil profile morphology

Surface soil
A1	0 – 20/30 cm	Dark greyish brown (10YR4/2); sandy loam; weak medium (10 – 20 mm) polyhedral structure; firm moist; clear wavy change to:
A2	20/30 – 50/35 cm	Pale brown (10YR6/3) conspicuously bleached (10YR/8/1d); sandy loam or loamy sand; apedal, single grain; firm consistence dry; sharp change to:
Subsoil
B21	50/35 – 80 cm	Yellowish brown (10YR5/6); heavy clay; moderate coarse (20 – 50 mm) polyhedral structure; strong consistence moist; diffuse change to:
B22	80 – 110 cm	Yellowish brown (10YR5/6) with greyish brown (10YR5/2) and increasing yellowish red (5YR5/6) mottles; heavy clay; moderate coarse (20 – 50 mm) lenticular structure; strong consistence moist.
Key profile features Strong texture contrast between the surface (A) horizons and the subsoil (B) horizons Conspicuously bleached subsurface (A2) horizon.

Soil profile characteristics

	pH	Sodicity	Slaking	Dispersion Dry	Dispersion Remoulded
Surface soil (A1 horizon)	Moderately acid	Non sodic	Water stable	Nil (2 hours), Nil (20 hours)	Nil (2 hours), Nil (20 hours)
Subsoil (B21 horizon)	Strongly acid	Sodic	Partial	Slight (2 hours), Slight (20 hours)	Nil (2 hours), Slight (20 hours)
Deeper subsoil (80-110 cm)	Strongly acid	Strongly sodic	Considerable	Nil (2 hours), Nil (20 hours)	Slight (2 hours), Slight (20 hours)

Horizon	Depth cm	Field texture	pH water	pH CaCl2	EC dS/m	Coarse sand %	Fine sand %	Silt %	Clay %	Field cap. % w/w	Wilt. point % w/w	PAW* water % w/w
A1	0-20/30	SL	5.9	4.6	0.06	43	29	11	8	12.9	5.7	7.2
A2	20/30-50/35	LS	5.3	4.1	<0.05	48	29	12	6	13.9	3.0	10.9
B21	50/35-80	HC	5.0	4.0	<0.05	12	14	13	59	39.2	22.3	16.9
B22	80-110	HC	5.4	4.4	<0.05	15	13	15	54	36.5	20.8	15.7

* PAW is plant available water. This is the difference between the soil water content at field capacity and wilting point.

Depth	Org C#	Total N	Free Fe2O3	Exch. Al	Exchangeable cations cmol(+)/kg							Ca:Mg	ESP
cm	%	%	% w/w	ppm	Ca	Mg	K	Na	Total	H	CEC
0-20/30	2.9	0.16		22	3.3	1.3	1	0.27	5.9	10.0	15.9	2.6	2
20/30-50/35	0.57	<0.05		74	0.51	0.33	0.15	0.12	1.1	3.6	4.7	1.5	3
50/35-80	0.49	<0.05		530	0.67	5.6	0.51	1.3	8.1	13.0	21.1	0.1	6
80-110	0.37	<0.05		110	0.21	9.9	0.32	3.2	14	8.0	22.0	<0.1	15

# Organic carbon

Management considerations

Whole Profile

• The plant available water capacity of the soil is considered to be low (estimated at 54 mm) for the top 50 cm of the soil profile.
• The dense and coarsely structured subsoil is likely to restrict root movement.

Surface (A) Horizons

• The sand surface horizons are very well draining but have a low water storage capacity. The low wilting points (i.e. 5.7 and 3.0) indicate plants will be able to utilise light rains falling on dry soil. However, due to the low water storage capacity, plants will soon suffer moisture stress unless further rain occurs. Organic matter is an important source of nutrient holding capacity as well as enhancing water holding capacity in sandy soils.
• The sandy surface soil will also be prone to wind erosion if plant cover is removed where blow-outs can occur.
• The surface horizons have a moderate inherent fertility (based on the sum of the exchangeable cations).
• The surface soil is quite high in potassium and no response to potassium fertilisers would be expected.

Subsoil (B) Horizon

• The dense and coarsely structured upper (B21) subsoil is sodic. This will restrict the downward movement of plant roots and water. The temporary build up of water on top of this less permeable layer may be beneficial for deeper-rooted plants as it prevents deep drainage of water away from plant roots.
• Sodic subsoils are typically moderately to strongly dispersive, but here are only slightly dispersive, mainly due to the high exchangeable aluminium.
• The upper (B21) subsoil has a relatively moderate inherent fertility throughout (based on the sum of the exchangeable calcium, magnesium and potassium cations). The cations are dominated by exchangeable magnesium which may create nutrient imbalances.
• The level of soluble salts is low.

Site EG248

Location: Tostaree	Geo. Ref. 0604500E 5817500N
Australian Soil Classification: Bleached-Mottled, Eutrophic, Brown KUROSOL (Thick sandy surface horizons)	Brown texture contrast soil
General landscape description: Undulating rises
Geology: Tertiary sediments
Site description: 3% slope to east
Land use: Plantation forest (Site CFTT 03)
Native vegetation: Lowland forest
Mapping unit: Waygara

Landscape typical of this map unit near Newmerella

Soil profile morphology

Surface soil
A1	0 – 15 cm	Very dark greyish brown (10YR3/2); loamy fine sand; weak fine granular structure; very weak consistence moist: clear and wavy transition to:
A2	15 – 55 cm	Light yellowish brown (10YR6/4), conspicuously bleached (10YR7/3d); loamy fine sand; very weak consistence dry; sharp and wavy transition to:
Subsoil
B21	55 – 100 cm	Dark yellowish brown (10YR4/6) with common, coarse, distinct yellowish red (5YR4/6) mottles; light medium clay; moderate coarse subangular blocky structure; very firm consistence moist; gradual and smooth change to:
B22	100 – 140 cm	Red (2.5YR4/6, with many, coarse, prominent dark yellowish brown (10YR4/6) and light brownish grey (10YR106/2) mottles; mottling becoming more pronounced with depth; light medium clay; strong medium prismatic structure; strong consistence moist.
Key profile features Very strong texture contrast between the sandy surface (A) horizons and the clay subsoil (B21) horizon. Conspicuously bleached A2 horizon.

Soil profile characteristics

	pH	Salinity rating	Sodicity	Dispersion	Slaking
Surface soil (A1 horizon)	Strongly acid	Very low	Non sodic	None
Subsoil (B21 horizon)	Strongly acid	Very low	Non-Sodic	None
Deeper subsoil (at 1 m)	Strongly acid	Very low	Non-Sodic	None

Horizon	Depth cm	Field texture	pH water	pH CaCl2	EC dS/m	Coarse sand %	Fine sand %	Silt %	Clay %	Field cap. % w/w	Wilt. point % w/w	PAW* water % w/w
A1	0-15	LFS	5.3	4.3	0.08	28	44	13	9	17.9	8.4	9.5
A2	15-55	LFS	5.4	4.6	<0.05	32	48	15	6	15.5	2.3	13.2
B21	55-100	LMC	5.5	4.9	0.11	3	9	4	83	49.1	31.0	18.1
B22	100-140	LMC	5.5	4.7	<0.05	1	20	7	71

* PAW is plant available water. This is the difference between the soil water content at field capacity and wilting point.

Depth	Org C	Total N	Free Fe2O3	Exch Al	Exchangeable cations cmol(+)/kg							Ca:Mg	ESP
cm	%	%	% w/w	ppm	Ca	Mg	K	Na	Total	H	CEC
0-15				160	0.81	0.93	0.18	0.19	2.1	16.0	18.1	0.9	1
15-55				22	0.33	0.19	0.08	0.06	0.66	2.3	3.0	1.7	2
55-100				27	1.4	11.0	0.13	1.1	13.6	13.0	26.6	0.13	4

Management considerations

• The subsoil has low calcium and a low calcium to magnesium ratio. Calcium deficiencies may occur as a result.
• The soil profile is strongly acid throughout. The availability of some elements (eg copper and molybdenum) may be low as a result. Aluminium toxicity can be a problem in strongly acid soils and the level here is likely to affect phosphorus availability. The use of test strips to see whether the addition of lime is going to be economical is recommended if the soil is to be used for pasture.
• Potassium is low and deficient and a response to potassium fertilizer would be expected.

Site EG249

Location: Waygara	Geo. Ref. 0615500E 582900N
Australian Soil Classification: Bleached-Mottled, Magnesic, Yellow CHROMOSOL	Yellow texture contrast soil
General landscape description: Undulating rises
Geology: Tertiary sediments
Site description: Level plain
Land use: Native forest (Site CFTT 04)
Native vegetation: Lowland forest
Mapping unit: Waygara

Landscape photo typical of this unit 7 km south of the sample site

Soil profile morphology

Surface soil
A1	0 – 15 cm	Dark grey (10YR4/1); fine sandy clay loam; weak medium granular structure; weak consistence moist; clear smooth change to:
A2	15 – 52 cm	Very pale brown (10YR7/4); conspicuously bleached; fine sandy clay loam; massive; weak consistence moist; clear smooth change to:
Subsoil
B1	52 – 60 cm	Brownish yellow (10YR6/6); with common medium faint yellowish brown (10YR5/4) mottles; sandy clay; massive; weak consistence moist; clear wavy change to:
B21	60 – 90 cm	Light yellowish brown (10YR6/4), with many coarse distinct red (2.5YR4/6) mottles; light medium clay; moderate coarse polyhedral structure parting to moderate medium polyhedral structure; very firm consistence moist; diffuse change to:
B22	90 – 140 cm	Grey (10YR6/1) with many coarse prominent dark yellowish brown (10YR4/6) mottles; light medium clay; moderate coarse prismatic parting to fine polyhedral structure.

Soil profile characteristics

Horizon	Depth cm	Field texture	pH water	pH CaCl2	EC dS/m	Coarse sand %	Fine sand %	Silt %	Clay %	Field cap. % w/w	Wilt. point % w/w	PAW* water % w/w
B21	60-90	LMC	5.9	5.1	0.05	21	16	12	50	32.4	19.1	13.3
B22	90-140	LMC	5.7	4.8	0.07	15	14	11	57	30.6	22.3	8.3

* PAW is plant available water. This is the difference between the soil water content at field capacity and wilting point.

Depth	Org C	Total N	Free Fe2O3	Exch Al	Exchangeable cations cmol(+)/kg							Ca:Mg	ESP
cm	%	%	% w/w	ppm	Ca	Mg	K	Na	Total	H	CEC
60-90				<10	<0.05	7.9	0.07	0.65	8.6	8.6	17.2	<0.1	4
90-140				32	<0.05	8.6	0.06	0.91	9.6	9.9	19.5	<0.1	5

Management considerations

• The calcium and potassium levels in the subsoil are extremely low, but the levels nearer the surface are not known.
• The subsoil has low calcium as well as a low calcium to magnesium ratio. Calcium deficiencies may occur as a result.

Site EG250

Location: Waygara	Geo. Ref. 604500E 5817500N
Australian Soil Classification: Grey CHROMOSOL or KUROSOL (depends on pH)	Grey texture contrast soil
General landscape description: Undulating plain
Geology: Tertiary sediments
Site description: 4% slope to east
Land use: Hardwood plantation (Site CFTT 01)
Native vegetation: Lowland forest
Mapping unit: Waygara

Soil profile morphology

Surface soil
A1	0 – 15 cm	Very dark greyish brown (10YR3/2); loamy fine sand; weak coarse granular structure; very weak consistence moderately moist; clear and wavy change to:
A2	15 – 50 cm	Pale brown (10YR6/3), conspicuously bleached (10YR67/2 dry); loamy fine sand; massive; very weak consistence dry; clear and wavy change to:
A3	50 – 55/65 cm	Greyish brown (10YR5/2), many, coarse, distinct, yellowish brown (10YR5/6) and strong brown (7.5YR4/6) mottles; sandy clay loam; massive; weak consistence dry; abrupt and wavy change to:
Subsoil
B21	55/65 – 110 cm	Light brownish grey (10YR6/2), many, very coarse, prominent strong brown (7.5YR5/6) mottles; light medium clay; moderate coarse polyhedralstructure, parting to moderate medium polyhedral structure; strong consistence moist; diffuse and smooth change to:
B22	110 – 150 cm	Grey (10YR5/1), many, very coarse, prominent strong brown (7.5YR5/6) and red (2.5YR4/6) mottles; light medium clay; moderate to coarse polyhedral structure, parting to moderate coarse polyhedral structure; strong consistence moist; veins of similarly coloured sandy clay appear with depth.

Site EG251

Location: Tostaree	Geo. Ref. 604500E 5817500N
Australian Soil Classification: Brown CHROMOSOL or KUROSOL (depends on pH)	Brown texture contrast soil
General landscape description: Undulating plain
Geology: Tertiary sediments
Site description: 6% slope to south
Land use: Hardwood plantation (Site CFTT 02)
Native vegetation: Lowland forest
Mapping unit: Waygara

Soil profile morphology

Surface soil
A1	0 – 8 cm	Very dark greyish brown (10YR3/2); loamy fine sand; weak fine granular structure; very weak consistence moderately moist; clear and wavy change to:
A2	8 – 15/20 cm	Pale brown (10YR6/3); loamy fine sand; very weak consistence dry; sharp and wavy change to:
Subsoil
B21	15/20 – 85 cm	Yellowish brown (10YR5/4 and 10YR5/6); light medium clay; moderate very coarse angular blocky structure; strong consistence moist; diffuse and smooth change to:
B22	85 – 120 cm	Brown (10YR5/3), many, very coarse, prominent red (2.5YR4/6) mottles; light medium clay; moderate to very coarse angular blocky structure, parting to moderate medium angular blocky structure; strong consistence moist; diffuse and smooth change to:
B23	120 – 140 cm	Light grey (10YR6/1), with very many, very coarse, prominent dark red (2.5YR3/6) and yellowish brown (10YR5/6) mottles; sandy medium clay; moderate very coarse angular blocky structure, parting to moderate coarse angular blocky structure; fine subrounded quartz; strong consistence moist.

Site 147 (Rees unpublished)

Location: 2 km south of Cann River	Geo. Ref. 690000E 5838400N
Australian Soil Classification: Mottled, Mesotrophic, Brown KUROSOL	Acidic brown texture contrast soil
General landscape description: Undulating low hills
Geology: Tertiary sediments
Site description: Simple mid slope
Land use: Native vegetation
Native vegetation: Lowland forest
Mapping unit: Waygara

Photo taken on the west side of the Cann River Valley 4 km south of Cann River

Soil profile morphology

Surface soil
A11	0 – 20 cm	Dark greyish brown (10YR4/2); sandy loam; clear change to:
A12	20 – 60 cm	Brownish yellow (10YR6/6); sandy loam; clear change to:
Subsoil
B2	60 – 90 cm	Strong brown (7.5YR5/6), few coarse red mottles; coarse sandy clay; apedal (single grain); diffuse change to:
C	90 – 110 cm	Strong brown (7.5YR5/6), with few coarse red mottles; sandy clay loam.

Soil profile characteristics

Horizon	Depth	Field texture	pH water	Exch Al	Org C	Exchangeable cations cmol (+)/kg							Ca:Mg
	cm			ppm	%	Ca	Mg	K	Na	Total	H	CEC
A!2	20-60	FSL	4.9	90	0.35	0.3	1.1	0.4	0.1	1.9	6.8	8.7	0.3
B2	60-90	KSC	4.9	120	0.24	0.3	1.8	0.4	0.1	2.6	6.7	9.3	0.2
C	90-110	SCL	4.8	110	0.18	0.3	2.5	0.5	0.1	3.4	7.2	10.6	0.1

Site 153 (Rees unpublished)

Location: 15 km south of Genoa, just south of Princes Highway	Geo. Ref. 717000E 5841400N
Australian Soil Classification: Bleached-Mottled, Magnesic, Brown KUROSOL	Acidic brown texture contrast soil
General landscape description: Undulating low hills
Geology: Tertiary sediments
Site description: Simple mid slope
Land use: Native vegetation
Native vegetation: Lowland forest
Mapping unit: Waygara (Component 2)

No photo available

Soil profile morphology

Surface soil			Red-brown sandy soil on Tertiary sediments. Photo taken near corner of Marlo-Cabbage Tree Road and Princes Highway
A11	0 – 5 cm	Dark greyish brown (10YR4/2); loamy sand; clear change to:
A12	5 – 15 cm	Light brownish grey (10YR6/2); loamy sand; clear change to:
Subsoil
B2	15 – 35 cm	Brown (7.5YR5/4), few coarse red mottles; sandy clay; diffuse change to:
C	35+ cm	Reddish yellow (7.5YR6/8), few coarse red mottles; coarse sandy clay.
Note: common (10 – 20%) medium quartz sand pebbles throughout the profile
Soil profile characteristics Horizon Depth Field texture pH water Exch Al Org C Exchangeable cations cmol (+)/kg Ca:Mg cm ppm % Ca Mg K Na Total H CEC A1 0-5 LS 5.0 45 2.13 0.5 0.4 0.3 <0.1 1.2 11.2 12.4 1.2 A2 5-15 LS 4.8 45 1.29 <0.1 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.6 6.5 7.1 <0.1 B1 15-35 SC 4.8 100 0.47 <0.1 0.3 <0.1 <0.1 0.5 7.8 8.3 <0.1 B2 35-40 KSC 4.7 95 0.37 <0.1 0.3 <0.1 <0.1 0.5 8.4 8.9 <0.1