Soil/Landform Unit - Langkoop clay plains

Cleared clay plains are cropped and grazed

Area: 4048 ha

0.17% of CMA region

Clay plains in the south-west of the Wimmera CMA region consist of a sequence including plains and gentle slopes, drainage depressions and swamps. Occurring as two units either side of Mosquito Creek, the plains are known for their grey and brown cracking clay soils (

Vertosols

) and

sodic

brown, yellow and grey texture contrast soils (

Sodosols

). Land use is mainly cereal cropping and fodder production along with grazing by sheep and cattle. Land can be susceptible to waterlogging and pugging by stock in lower areas where soils compact at critical moisture contents. Vegetation is dominated by Plains Grassy Woodland that is found mostly on freely draining soils.

Sheep grazing on clay plain near Langkoop
	Clay plain with red gum at Moolah property

Component	1	2	3	4
Proportion of soil-landform unit	20%	65%	5%	10%
CLIMATE Rainfall (mm)	Annual: 615
CLIMATE Rainfall (mm)	Annual: 615
Temperature (^oC)	Minimum 8, Maximum 21
Precipitation less than potential evapotranspiration	October–April
GEOLOGY Age and lithology	Neogene marine sand and silt (Parilla Sand)
GEOLOGY Age and lithology	Neogene marine sand and silt (Parilla Sand)
Geomorphology	5.5.2 Low ridges and oriented swales of the North West Dunefields and Plains
LANDUSE	Uncleared areas: Nature conservation Cleared areas: Dryland cropping; sheep grazing
LANDUSE
TOPOGRAPHY Landscape	Clay plains
TOPOGRAPHY Landscape	Clay plains
Elevation range (m)	97–120
Local relief (m)	2
Drainage pattern	Dendritic
Drainage density (km/km²)	0.4
Landform	Plains
Landform element	Gentle slope	Plain	Drainage depression	Swamp
Slope and range (%)	2 (1-7)	0 (0-1)	0 (0-1)	0 (0-2)
Slope shape	Convex	Straight	Concave	Concave
NATIVE VEGETATION Ecological Vegetation Class	Plains Grassy Woodland (42.2%), Unclassified (57.8%)
NATIVE VEGETATION Ecological Vegetation Class	Plains Grassy Woodland (42.2%), Unclassified (57.8%)
SOIL Parent material	Marine sand and silt	Marine sand and silt	Paludal silt and clay	Paludal silt and clay
SOIL Parent material	Marine sand and silt	Marine sand and silt	Paludal silt and clay	Paludal silt and clay
Description (Corangamite Soil Group)	Sodic brown, yellow and grey texture contrast soils (38)	Grey and brown cracking clay soils (37) and sodic brown, yellow and grey texture contrast soils (38)	Grey and brown cracking clay soils (37)	Grey and brown cracking clay soils (37)
Soil type sites	LSWW11, LSWW17, LSWW13	LS3, LSWW9, LSWW11	LS3, LSWW9, LSWW5	LS3, LSWW9, LSWW5
Surface texture	Loamy sand	Loamy sand to medium clay	Medium clay	Medium clay
Permeability	Moderate	Slow to moderate	Slow	Slow
Depth (m)	> 2	> 2	> 2	> 2
LAND CHARACTERISTICS, POTENTIAL AND LIMITATIONS Critical land features, processes, forms	Susceptible to wind and sheet erosion where exposed surfaces have little organic matter. Susceptible to compaction where hardsetting and restricted drainage.	Susceptible to inundation and waterlogging in lower areas, but can be variable due to micro relief (gilgai). Slightly susceptible to surface sheet erosion where soils are exposed. Gully erosion can occur where subsoils are dispersive and deep. Surface soils friable and only slightly susceptible to wind erosion. Soils susceptible to compaction at critical moisture contents.	Susceptible to seasonal inundation and waterlogging. Surface soils friable and only slightly susceptible to wind erosion. Soils susceptible to compaction at critical moisture contents.	Susceptible to periodic inundation, waterlogging and soil salinity. Slightly susceptible to surface sheet erosion when soils are exposed. Surface soils are friable and only slightly susceptible to wind erosion. Soils susceptible to compaction at critical moisture contents.

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