Ferrosols

Red Ferrosol cropping area near Ballarat.

Ferrosols (Australian Soil Classification) are soils lacking strong texture contrast between surface (A) horizons and the upper subsoil (B21) horizon. These soils are also characterised by relatively high levels of free iron oxide (i.e. free iron oxide content greater than 5%) in the subsoil.

Red Ferrosols are common on the basalt plains and rises to the east of Ballarat. These soils are friable and well structured and are frequently used for cropping. In some areas, they can be quite stony. Clay contents are quite high on these soils and they have limited shrink-swell characteristic, which makes them prone to compaction if over-cultivated.

Ferrosols in the Corangamite Region

This broad scale map presents an overview and should only be used as a general indication of the distribution of Ferrosols in the Corangamite Region. It shows areas where Ferrosols are most likely to occur within the region. Note that other soil types may also occur within these mapped areas.

This map has been developed from work undertaken by Robinson

et al.

(2003) as part of the Corangamite Land Resource Assessment project. This work utilised existing surveys, remote sensing information and additional field-work to develop an updated 1:100 000 scale soil/landform coverage across the region.

Soils are difficult to map at this broad scale because of their diversity. Even in relatively small areas, a number of soils may occur which relate to differences in topography and landscape position. Variation in some of the major soil profile properties can also occur within these mapped areas. Any agricultural enterprise should be based on a proper on-site assessment of the soil and landscape.

A number of soil surveys have been completed in this region at varying scales and intensity. However, in some areas very little soil survey has taken place. See the

Soil and Land Survey Directory

for details.

Ferrosols in the Corangamite Region.

Ferrosol near Ballarat.

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