Boola (Bo)

A study of the land in the Catchment of Gippsland Lakes - Vol 2 - land system Boola- geo

Area: 77 sq. km (0.4%)

Some areas of Tertiary deposits have been uplifted by movements associated with the Yallourn Monocline. Relatively undissected, gently undulating remnants of the former Tertiary surface at these higher elevations are mapped in Boola land system. Tertiary deposits tilted along the Monocline have been more dissected to form hilly topography and these are mapped in Anderson 2 land system. Deeply-dissected. steep, mountainous areas on the uplifted Tertiary sediments are in Haunted Hills land system.

The moderate to high rainfall and extensive weathering of the Tertiary sediments have produced highly-developed horizons that are strongly leached and often moderately to strongly acidic. Variation does occur according to changes in parent material. On deep sandy deposits, grey, bleached topsoils are underlain by coffee-rock horizons. Where the parent material contains sufficient clay, yellow duplex soils with medium blocky-structured, clay sub-soils appear to dominate, although yellow, gradational soils with fine granular-structured subsoils were also observed. Sheet erosion is a hazard where sandy topsoils overlie less permeable materials at relatively shallow depth.

The vegetation is mainly open forest II with open forest III on lower slopes.

A study of the land in the Catchment of Gippsland Lakes - Vol 2 - land system Boola- image

Shrubby open forest growing on a mid-slope of moderate gradient

CLIMATE Rainfall, mean (mm) Temperature, mean (°C) Seasonal growth limitations	Annual 700 - 1200; lowest January or February (40 - 70). highest August or October (90 - 120) Annual 12 - 14: lowest July (8 - 10), highest February (19 - 21) Temperature <10°C (av.): May - September Rainfall < potential evapotranspiration: November – March
GEOLOGY Age, lithology	Tertiary outwash fan deposits; unconsolidated gravels. sands and clays
PHYSIOGRAPHY Landscape Elevation range (m) Relative relief (m) Drainage pattern Drainage density (km/km²)	Gently undulating to hilly terrain 180 - 400 60 - l60 Dendritic 0.9
PRESENT LAND USE	Mostly uncleared: hardwood forestry (minor timber products, limited general construction); apiculture Minor proportion cleared: grazing of beef and dairy cattle and fat lambs, mainly on improved pastures: softwood plantations (limited)

A study of the land in the Catchment of Gippsland Lakes - Vol 2 - land system Boola- cs

A study of the land in the Catchment of Gippsland Lakes - Vol 2 - land system Boola- graph

LAND COMPONENT Percentage of land system Diagnostic features	1 80 Flat plains to moderate slopes	2 20 Steep slopes
PHYSIOGRAPHY Slope %, typical and (range) Slope shape	Plains: 3 - 5. (0 - 10): slopes: 15 - 20. (10 - 25) Convex to concave	30 - 35. (20 - 40) Straight
SOIL
Parent Material	Variable: clay, silt, sand and gravel
Description	Few observations — deep sand deposits: thick light grey sandy topsoil over hard brown cemented sand (coffee rock) overlying yellow sand. Other areas: probably predominantly greyish brown sand to clay loam topsoil over mottled yellowish brown blocky acidic clay subsoil: some finely structured yellowish brown acidic sandy clay loam or clay loam
Classification	Uc2.34, Uc2.36, Dy3.12, Dy3.21, Gn4.81, Gn4.51
Surface texture	Very variable: sand to clay loam
Surface consistence	Variable depending on texture
Depth (m)	<2.0
Nutrient status	Very low for sandy soils; low to moderate elsewhere
Available soil water capacity	Very low for sandy soils: low to moderate elsewhere
Perviousness to water	Rapid on sands: slow to moderate elsewhere
Drainage	Good
Exposed stone	0
Sampled profile number	-
NATIVE VEGETATION Structure of vegetation and characteristic species of dominant stratum (+ Predominant species)	Open forest II. often shrubby: Mostly mixed forests with species including E. consideniana+, E. muellerana+, E. sieberi+ (upper slopes). E. dives and E. globoidea	Limited data — probably open forest III with species including E. Cypellocarpa. E. muellerana, E. obliqua and E. sieberi. E. radiata (presumed)

Disturbance	Affected process and trend	Primary resultant deterioration			Casual activities	Primary off-site process
Disturbance	Affected process and trend	Form	Susceptibility of components	Incidence with components	Casual activities	Primary off-site process
Alteration of vegetation: — reduction in leaf area, rooting depth and/or perenniality	Reduced transpiration; resulting in increased deep percolation and leaching	Nutrient loss	1; low - high 2; low	Not determined	Removal of trees	Increased movement of water to groundwater: increased base-flow of streams
Increased exposure of surface soil	Increased overland flow and soil detachment	Sheet and rill erosion	l; low 2; moderate	Not determined	Clearing. Logging, burning, overgrazing, road and dam building and other earth-moving activities, rabbit burrowing, trafficking by stock and vehicles.	Increased flash flows and sediment load.
Increased physical pressure on soil	Increased compaction with reduced infiltration	Structure decline Sheet and rill erosion	1,2 low - moderate 1; low 2: moderate	Not determined Not determined	Increased trafficking and cultivation, overgrazing, export of organic matter As for sheet and rill erosion above	- Increased flash flows
Increased soil disruption	Increased soil break-up	Gully erosion	1: low 2; moderate	Not determined	As for sheet and rill erosion above	Increased sediment load.
Comments: No observations of deterioration

Page top