Dermosols

Dermosols (Australian Soil Classification) are soils lacking strong texture contrast between surface (A) horizons and the upper subsoil (B21) horizon. The subsoil also displays reasonable soil structure development i.e. moderate to strong pedality.

Acidic, Brown Dermosols are common on many of the steep slopes of the Otway Ranges. Yellow and Grey Dermosols, which tend to be calcareous at depth, occur on rises and plains associated with marl deposits in the south-western parts of the region. Very shallow and stony Dermosols, which can be black, red or brown, occur on the stony rises surrounding Lake Corangamite and to the north and south of Derrinallum.

Dermosols in the Corangamite Region

This broad scale map presents an overview and should only be used as a general indication of the distribution of Dermosols in the Corangamite Region. It shows areas where Dermosols 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.

Dermosols in the Corangamite Region

Cropping brown Dermosols near Alvie.	Brown Dermosol near Alvie, developed on volcanic ash deposits.	Shallow soil developed on a stony rise near Lake Corangamite.
Acidic, Brown Dermosol near Weeaproinah, developed on Cretaceous hills.	Example of a Black Dermosol developed on volcanic ash deposits.

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