Soil/Landform Unit 51

The basalt flow occurs between Buininyong to Clarendon. The flow has significant relief over neighbouring sedimentary units

Area:

566 ha

0.04% of CMA region

This plain is derived from a significant basalt flow that stretches from Buninyong to Clarendon.

Ordovician

sediments surround the plain to the north-east and other sedimentary topographies to the west. As part of the Midlands, this unit runs along the Midland Highway between the two towns in a relatively narrow geological strip. Soils on the gently undulating broad crests are rich,

friable

, well structured red gradational soils that offer high value and versatility to agriculture. Remnant vegetation classes include Plains Grassy Woodland and Herb-rich Foothill Forest. The dominant species are

Eucalyptus viminalis, E. radiata

and

E. obliqua

. Agricultural land use includes beef cattle and sheep grazing, however the pressures of residential development have seen much of this land removed from agricultural production. Erosion hazards are minimal.

Plain near Clarendon, cropping, grazing and residential development are the main land uses

Component	1	2	3	4
Proportion of soil-landform unit	25%	25%	25%	25%
CLIMATE Rainfall (mm)	Annual: 770
Temperature (^oC)	Minimum 7, Maximum 17
Precipitation less than potential evapotranspiration	November-March
GEOLOGY Age and lithology	Quaternary basalt, sands and clays and minor Ordovician marine sandstone and shale
Geomorphology	2.1.4 Dissected Western Uplands associated with volcanic landforms
LANDUSE	Uncleared: Nature conservation; regional development; passive and active recreation Cleared: Regional development; grazing
TOPOGRAPHY Landscape	Gently undulating plainw ith broad crests
Elevation range (m)	412-545
Local relief (m)	4
Drainage pattern	Dendritic
Drainage density (km/km²)	1.2
Landform	Undulating plain			Terrace
Landform element	Crest and upper slopes	Mid slope	Lower slope and depression
Slope and range (%)	3 (1-6)	3 (2-7)	1 (1-2)	1 (1-2)
Slope shape	Convex	Straight	Concave	Straight
NATIVE VEGETATION Ecological Vegetation Class	Plains Grassy Woodland (5.5%); Herb-rich Foothill Forest (0.9%)
Dominant species	E. viminalis, E. radiata, E. obliqua	E. viminalis, E. radiata, E. obliqua	E. viminalis, E. radiata, E. obliqua	E. viminalis, E. radiata
SOIL Parent material	In situ weathered basalt	In situ weathered basalt	In situ weathered basalt	Unconsolidated gravel, sand, silt and clay
Description (Corangamite Soil Group)	Red gradational soil, fine structure (40)	Dark red gradational soil, fine structure (40)	Mottled brown, grey or yellow sodic texture contrast soil, coarse stucture (14)	Dark brown soil (variable) (34)
Soil type sites	BD5, SW96, SW26	BD5, SW96, SW26	SW99, MM204, SW93	CLRA1, SW39, CLRA15
Surface texture	Clay loam	Loam	Clay loam	Fine sandy clay loam
Permeability	High	High	Moderate to low	Moderate to low
Depth (m)	2	1.5	1.5	2
LAND CHARACTERISTICS, POTENTIAL AND LIMITATIONS	Slope, exposure to southerly wind and rain, leaching, overland flow, sheet erosion, nutrient decline are very minor limitations.	Slope, hardsetting surfaces, leaching, overland flow, compaction, sheet erosion and nutrient decline are very minor limitations.	Low permeability, hardsetting surfaces, waterlogging and soil compaction are very minor limitations.	Low-lying areas receiving drainage are susceptible to waterlogging, overland flow, stream bank erosion and gully erosion

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