Yeodene Creek Land System

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West of Yeodene, a rolling and irregular landscape forms part of a broad ridge extending from the foothills of the Ranges towards Colac. Tertiary sand outcrops on most parts of the landscape, often forming a veneer over exposures of Tertiary silt and clay.

The soils have loamy sand or sandy loam surface textures and are prone to nutrient and moisture deficiencies. Hardpans between the sand veneers and clay horizons may result in perched water tables, although only small areas have such poor site drainage that frequent waterlogging occurs.

Sand and gravel have been extensively mined in some areas, and pine plantations have been established near Yeodene. However, most of the area remains in a fairly natural state and constitutes a significant area of natural vegetation close to Colac. Its potential for recreation is at present not fully utilized. Only minor areas have been cleared for agriculture, but the establishment of improved pastures is difficult.

A Study of land in the catchments of the Otway Range and adjacent plains - yeodene

Acid sands in this comparatively dry area will not support vigorous
pastures and the control of weeds such as Pteridium esculentum
and Rubus spp. is difficult.

Area: 58 km²	Component and its proportion of land system
Area: 58 km²	1 35%	2 25%	3 5%	4 30%	5 5%
CLIMATE Rainfall, mm	Annual: 750 – 850, lowest January (40), highest August (100)
Temperature, 0^oC	Annual: 13, lowest July (8), highest February (9)
	Temperature: less than 10^oC (av.) June – August
	Precipitation: less than potential evapotranspiration late October – early April
GEOLOGY Age, lithology		Paleocene unconsolidated sand, silt and clay Recent sand veneer
TOPOGRAPHY Landscape	Rolling plain in the western parts of the Barwon catchment and northern parts of the Gellibrand catchment
Elevation, m	120 – 260
Local relief, m	40
Drainage pattern	Dendritic
Drainage density, km/km²	1.5
Land form	Plain
Land form element	Crest, slope	Slope	Broad slightly depressed area	Crest, slope	Drainage line
Slope (and range), %	9 (1-15)	15 (5-20)	2 (0-5_	8 (1-15)	3 (1-5)
Slope shape	Convex	Irregular	Concave	Linear	Concave
NATIVE VEGETATION Structure	Woodland	Woodland	Low woodland	Open forest	Low woodland
Dominant species	E. viminalis, E. obliqua, E. radiata	E. radiata, E. ovata, E. viminalis, occasionally E. obliqua	E. nitida, E. radiata, occasionally E. viminalis	E. obliqua, E. radiata	E. ovata, Acacia melanoxylon, Leptospermum juniperinum, Melaleuca squarrosa
SOIL Parent material	Quartz sand	Silt and clay with sand veneer	Silt and clay with sand veneer	Clay, silt and sand	Colluvial and alluvial sand, silt and clay, plant remains
Description	Grey sand soils, uniform texture	Grey sand soils, weakly structured clay underlay	Grey sand soils, weakly structured clay underlay	Yellow gradational soils, weak structure	Black sand soils, uniform texture
Surface texture	Loamy sand	Loamy sand	Loamy sand	Sandy loam	Silty loam
Permeability	Very high	Low	Low	High	Moderate
Depth, m	>2	>2	0.6	>2	>2
LAND USE	Uncleared areas: Hardwood forestry for posts, poles and fuel; sand and gravel extraction; forest grazing; water supply; passive and active recreation; softwood forestry. Minor cleared areas: Sheep and beef cattle grazing; dairy farming
SOIL DETERIORATION HAZARD Critical land features, processes, forms	Very low inherent fertility and high permeability lead to nutrient decline.	Low inherent fertility and leaching of permeable surfaces lead to nutrient decline. Weakly structured surfaces and low permeabilities lead to sheet erosion on steeper slopes.	Low permeability and poor site drainage lead to seasonal waterlogging and soil compaction.	Weakly structured surfaces on steeper slopes are prone to sheet erosion.	High water tables lead to waterlogging and soil compaction. Run-off from adjacent hills leads to siltation and flooding.

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