Fernbank (Symbol: Fe)

EG254 | EG210 | EG255 | EG256 | GP83 | Profile No. 68 | Sample No. GR3 | Sample No. GR5 | Sample No. GR6 | Sample No. GR10 | Sample No. GR11 | Sample No. GR13 | Sample No. GR14 | Sample No. GR17 | Sample No. GR26 | Sample No. GR30

Geology
Pleistocene alluvial sediments. Referred to on the geological maps as Qp2, and regarded as being the second oldest of six alluvial terraces deposited during the Pleistocene.

Landform
This unit forms the most extensive landform along the Princes Highway between Stratford and Paynesville and may be described as a weakly dissected undulating plain. It has an even SSE slope of about 1 in 200, with a maximum elevation of about 160 metres near Briagolong and 125 metres at The Fingerboards, and a minimum elevation of 20–25 metres at its southern margin. A considerable period of time has elapsed since this terrace was deposited and weak dissection has occurred along the margins of drainage lines, for example on either side of Tom’s Creek. Some deposition of material from higher in the landscape has added to the complexity of the pattern of soils. Sand dunes mantle extensive areas of this terrace, particularly immediately east of the Perry River. The soils on these dunes are described under the map unit ‘Perry’. It is likely there have been several episodes of sand dune formation, each episode corresponding to a particular glacial cycle.

An interactive visualisation of the landscape in the Fernbank mapping unit is provided here. Zooming and panning functionality is provided as well as the ability to click on icons to provide further information about the landscape (e.g. soils, geology).

Photo

Panoroma

Information

Soil pit

Video

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Original vegetation Plains grassy woodland. Where sands mantle the plain, the vegetation was heathy woodland. Soils All the soils are texture contrast soils. The surface soils are strongly to moderately acidic and range from dark greyish brown clay loams to sands and invariably have a bleached subsurface soil. Many of the surface soils are stony. Sodic and coarsely structured medium to heavy clays occur at a variable depth, generally before 50 cm, typically yellowish brown with grey or strong brown mottles. In areas where the Perry map unit also occurs, a mantle of sand overlies the clay. If the sand is sufficiently deep, ‘coffee rock’ occurs in the subsoil. Previous maps and reports This map unit was mapped under the Redgum 1 and Redgum 2 Land System by Aldrick et al (1992). Land use Most of the land is cleared, mainly for grazing, but there are remnants of the original vegetation west of the Bairnsdale airport.

Sandy soils of the Perry map unit east of the Providence Ponds. The cemented brown sands at about 80 cm in the subsoil are often referred to as ‘coffee rock’.

Site EG254

Location: Banksia Peninsula
Australian Soil Classification: Magnesic, Subnatric, Brown SODOSOL
General landscape description: Undulating Rises
Geology: Pleistocene alluvial sediments
Site description: SE aspect, 7% slope
Vegetation: Plains grassy woodland
Map unit: Fernbank

Soil profile morphology

Surface soil

A11	0 – 10 cm	Very dark grey (7.5YR3/1); loamy sand; weak fine subangular blocky structure; firm consistence dry; clear change to:
A12	10 – 35 cm	Very dark grey (7.5YR2/1); loamy sand; abundant (50-90%) medium (6-20 mm) rounded quartz and sandstone pebbles; firm consistence, dry; gradual change to:
A2	35 – 50/60 cm	Brown (10YR5/3) conspicuously bleached very pale brown (10YR7/3d); sandy loam; massive, abrupt wavy change to:
Subsoil
B21	50/60 – 110 cm	Brown (7.5YR4/4) with grey mottles; light medium clay; weak medium angular blocky structure; strong consistence dry; gradual change to:
B22	110 – 180 cm	Yellowish brown (10YR5/8) with few coarse (15-30 mm) grey (10YR5/1) mottles; sandy clay; massive; clear change to:
C1	180 – 240 cm	White (2.5Y8/1) with common (10-20%) prominent fine medium (5-15 mm) dark yellowish brown (10YR4/4) mottles; light clay; firm consistence moderately moist.

Key profile features

• Strong texture contrast between the sandy top soil and the clay subsoil.

Soil profile characteristics

	pH	Sodicity	Slaking	Dispersion Dry	Dispersion Remoulded
Surface soil (A11 horizon)	Strongly acid	Non-sodic	Minimal aggregation	Nil (2 hours), Nil (20 hours)	Slight 2 hours), Slight (20 hours)
Subsurface (A2 horizon)	Moderately acid	Non-sodic	Considerable	Slight (2 hours), Moderate (20 hours)	Strong (2 hours), Strong (20 hours)
Subsoil (B21 horizon)	Moderately acid	Sodic	Considerable	Moderate (2 hours), Moderate (20 hours)	Strong (2 hours), Strong (20 hours)

Horizon	Depth cm	Texture	pH water	pH CaCl2	EC dS/m	Coarse sand %	Fine sand %	Silt %	Clay %	Field cap. w/w	Wilt. point % w/w	PAW* water %w/w
A11	0-10	LS	5.5	4.5	0.19	54	24	8	5	25.3	10.0	15.3
A12	10-35	SL	5.6	4.7	0.06	54	26	11	6	17.9	4.6	13.6
A2	35-52	SL	6.0	5.0	0.08	53	22	12	12	12.5	5.1	7.4
B21	52-110	LMC	5.6	4.6	0.32	46	10	5	36	25.5	14.4	11.1
B22	110-180	SC	5.4	4.7	0.40	54	13	3	32	22.1	11.1	11.0
C1	180-240		5.5	4.8	0.78	0.4	8	50	37.5	38.3	20.2	18.1

* PAW refers to plant available water. This is the difference between the soil’s water content at field capacity and wilting point.

Depth	OrgC#	Total N	Free Fe2O3	ExchAl	Exchangeable cations cmol(+)/kg							Ca:Mg	ESP
cm	%	%	% w/w	ppm	Ca	Mg	K	Na	Total	H	CEC
0-10	4.8	0.36		45	4.4	1.0	0.9	<0.1	6.3	12	18.3	4.0
10-35	1.7	0.09		56	1.6	1.5	<0.1	<0.1	3.1	8.9	12	1.1
35-52				16	0.4	1.9	<0.1	0.2	2.5	3.5	6	0.2	3
52-110				8	<0.1	3.2	<0.1	0.8	4.0	5.8	9.8	<0.03	8
110-180				13	<0.1	3.0	<0.1	1.0	4.0	4	8	<0.03	13
180-240				14	<0.1	6.8	0.3	2.9	10	4.8	14.8	<0.03	20

# Organic carbon

Management considerations

Whole profile

• Plant available water is considered to be very low (estimated at 28 mm) for this profile based on an effective rooting depth of 52 cm. The presence of large amounts of pebbles in the A horizon and the dense clayey subsoil greatly reduce water retention.

Surface (A) horizons

• The surface soil is moderately acidic and, because it is also moderately high in aluminium, lime application may be of benefit.
• Potassium levels in the surface soil are high, but below the surface soil it is at deficiency level.
• The surface horizons have a low nutrient holding capacity (based on the sum of exchangeable calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium). Organic matter is important for maintaining nutrient and water holding capacity, especially in sandy soils.
• The low wilting points of the surface soils indicates plants will be able to use very light rains when the soil is dry. Due to the low water storage capacity of the surface soils, plants will soon suffer moisture stress unless follow-up rains occur.

Subsoil (B) horizons

• The depth to the clay would have little influence on plant growth as it occurs too deep in the profile.

Site EG210

Location: SFS Trial site, Bengworden	Geo. Ref.: 549000E 5805800N
Australian Soil Classification: Vertic (and Magnesic), Brown SODOSOL	Brown sodic texture contrast soil
General landscape description: Level plain
Geology: Pleistocene alluvium (Qp2)
Site description: Level, slope <1 %
Land use: Millet
Native Vegetation: Plains grassy woodland
Map unit: Fernbank

Soil profile morphology

Surface soil

A1	0 – 10 cm	Dark brown (10YR3/3); sandy loam; weak fine granular structure; very weak consistence moist; clear change to:
A2	10 – 10/30 cm	Brown (10YR5/3), conspicuously bleached (10YR7/2d); loamy sand; apedal; weak consistence dry; sharp wavy change to:
Subsoil
B21	10/30 – 50 cm	Yellowish brown (10YR5/6); medium to heavy clay; strong coarse columnar structure parting to strong fine polyhedral structure; very firm moist; diffuse change to:
B22	50 – 75 cm	Dark yellowish brown (10YR4/6) distinct red (2.5YR4/6) mottles; medium to heavy clay; moderate coarse lenticular structure; very firm moist; diffuse change to:
B23	75 – 120 cm	Mottled brown (10YR5/3) and red (2.5YR4/6); medium to heavy clay; moderate coarse lenticular structure; very firm moist

Key profile features

• Strong texture contrast between the surface horizons (A1 and A2) and the subsoil horizons (B)
• Bleached subsurface soil
• Lenticular structure in the deep subsoil, indicating swelling and shrinking between wet and dry conditions.

Soil profile characteristics

	pH	Sodicity	Slaking	Dispersion Dry	Dispersion Remoulded
Surface soil (A1 horizon)	Moderately acidic	Non sodic	Water stable	Nil (2 hours), Nil (20 hours)	Nil (2 hours), Slight (20 hours)
Subsoil (B21 horizon)	Moderately acidic	Sodic	Partial	Nil (2 hours), Nil (20 hours)	Strong (2 hours), Complete (20 hours)
Deeper subsoil (75-120 cm)	Moderately acidic	Strongly sodic	Considerable	Nil (2 hours), Nil (20 hours)	Nil (2 hours), Nil (20 hours)

Horizon	Depth cm	Field texture	pH water	pH CaCl2	EC dS/m	Coarse sand %	Fine sand %	Silt %	Clay %	Field cap. % w/w	Wilt. point % w/w	PAW* water % w/w
A1	0-10	SL	5.8	5.2	0.17	23	44	14	13	18.3	7.3	11.0
A2	10+/30	LS	5.7	4.6	<0.05	28	45	16	6	15.9	4.3	11.6
B21	10/30-50	MHC	5.9	4.7	0.08	7	13	7	69	42.6	26.4	16.2
B22	50-75	MHC	5.9	4.8	0.15	4.6	9.7	9	72	46.4	27.7	18.7
B23	75-120	MHC	5.6	4.7	0.23	8.4	17.3	10	62	37.1	20.5	16.6

* PAW refers to plant available water. This is the difference between the soil’s water content at field capacity and wilting point.

Depth	OrgC#	Total N	Free Fe2O3	Exch. Al	Exchangeable cations cmol(+)/kg							Ca:Mg	ESP
Cm	%	%	% w/w	ppm	Ca	Mg	K	Na	Total	H	CEC
0-10	2.1	<0.05		<10	4.4	1.9	0.34	0.36	7.0	5.9	12.9	2.2	3
10+/30 (A2)	1.0	0.063		11	1.1	0.84	0.075	0.18	2.2	4.4	6.6	1.3	3
10/30-50	0.89	<0.05		100	2.2	9.3	0.2	1.6	13.3	12	25.3	0.2	6
50-75	0.61	<0.05		84	1.1	11	0.24	2.4	14.7	11	25.7	0.1	9
75-120	0.38	<0.05		99	0.3	8.2	0.14	3.3	12.0	8.9	20.9	0.04	17

# Organic carbon

Management considerations

Whole profile Plant available water is considered to be low (estimated at 63 mm) for this profile based on an effective rooting depth of 35 mm. The dense and coarsely structured upper subsoil is likely to restrict root depth. Most of the plant available water will be in the A1 horizon as the A2 horizon will be seasonally saturated. Roots in the subsoil will be confined to cracks in the soil and not penetrate deeply. Surface (A) horizons The surface soil is moderately acid but is highly unlikely to affect plant growth. Potassium levels are moderate. The surface (A1) horizon has a low nutrient holding capacity. Organic matter is important for maintaining nutrient and water holding capacity, especially in sandy soils. The low wilting points of the surface soils indicates plants will be able to use very light rains when the soil is dry. Due to the low water storage capacity of the surface soils, plants will soon suffer moisture stress unless follow-up rains occur. Subsoil (B) horizons The dense and coarsely structured subsoil is strongly sodic and is strongly dispersive. This will result in significantly restricted root and water movement. As the photo shows, roots do move through the cracks between the soil aggregates in the upper part of this horizon. The use of gypsum in association with deep ripping has been advocated by some researchers as an effective way to ameliorate sodic subsoils. The levels of exchangeable aluminium are medium-high and may affect deep-rooted, aluminium sensitive species.

Effective root penetration to about 35 mm

Site EG255

Location: Fernbank (Tom’s Creek flood plain)	Geo. Ref.: 532200E 5804000N
Australian Soil Classification: Mesotrophic, Mottled-Subnatric,Brown SODOSOL	Brown sodic texture contrast soil (deep surface)
General landscape description: Meander plain
Geology: Neogene alluvial sediments
Site description: Level
Native Vegetation: Plains grassy woodland
Map unit: Fernbank

Soil profile morphology

Surface soil

1A11	0-30 cm	Greyish brown (2.5Y5/2); loamy sand; massive; clear change to:
1A12	30-65 cm	Dark grey (10YR4/2); loamy coarse sand; massive, loose to very weak consistence moist; abundant (50-90%) rounded quartz pebbles (20-60 mm); clear change to:
1A21	65- 85/90 cm	Yellowish brown (10YR5/4); coarse sand; massive; sharp wavy change to:
2A22	85/90-100/110 cm	Light grey; sandy loam; massive; sharp tongued boundary to:
Subsoil
2B2	100 /110 – 180 cm	Greyish brown (2.5Y5/2) with common (10-20%) medium (5-15 mm) yellowish brown (10YR5/6) mottles; light medium clay; strong very coarse columnar structure, strongly parting to medium angular blocky; strong consistence dry; few (2-10%) large (20-60 mm) rounded quartz pebbles; diffuse change to:
2C	180 – 270 cm	Brown (10YR5/3) with few (2-10%) faint coarse (15-30 mm) yellowish brown mottles; coarse sandy clay loam; massive; abundant (50-90%) large (20-60 mm) rounded quartz pebbles

Key profile features

• Strong texture contrast between the sandy top soil and the medium heavy clay subsoil
• The surface 70 cm layer appears to have been deposited at a different period to the underlying layers.

Soil profile characteristics

	pH	Sodicity	Slaking	Dispersion Dry	Dispersion Remoulded
Sub-surface (A11 horizon)	Strongly acidic	Non sodic	Minimal aggregation	Minimal aggregation	Minimal aggregation
(2A2 horizon)	Strongly acidic	Non sodic	Minimal aggregation	Minimal aggregation	Minimal aggregation
Subsoil 110-180 cm	Moderately acidic	Sodic	Considerable	Strongly dispersive	Slakes considerably

Horizon	Depth cm	Texture	pH water	pH CaCl2	EC dS/m	Coarse sand %	Fine sand %	Silt %	Clay %	Field cap. w/w	Wilt. point % w/w	PAW* water %w/w
A11	0-30	S								6.6	1.9	4.7
A12	30-65	S	5.1	4.4	<0.05	31	62	3	3	7	2.8	4.2
A2	65-90	S	5.2	4.4	<0.05	62	27	3	4	5.6	1.4	4.2
2A21	90-100	S	5.4	4.7	<0.05	55	39	3	2	9.5	4	5.5
2A22	100-110	SL	5.9	4.6	<0.05	44	36	10	10	9.5	4	5.5
2B2	110-180	MHC	5.7	4.3	0.08	26	22	4	46	30.2	18.4	11.8
2C	180-270		5.8	4.5	0.08	55	23	4	17	13.5	7.1	6.4

* PAW refers to plant available water. This is the difference between the soil’s water content at field capacity and wilting point.

Depth	OrgC#	Total N	Free Fe2O3	Exch. Al	Exchangeable cations cmol(+)/kg							Ca:Mg	ESP
cm	%	%	% w/w	ppm	Ca	Mg	K	Na	Total	H	CEC
0-30	0.7	<0.05
30-60	0.8	<0.05		14	0.5	0.3	<0.1	<0.1	0.8	2.1	2.9	1.7
65-85/90	0.3	<0.05		36	0.2	0.4	<0.1	<0.1	0.6	3	3.6	0.5
85/90-100				7	<0.1	0.1	<0.1	<0.1	0.1	1.1	1.2
100-110				6	<0.1	0.8	<0.1	<0.1	0.8	1.5	2.3
110-180				110	<0.1	5.0	0.1	1.1	6.1	9	15.1		7
180-270				15	<0.01	2.7	0.1	0.8	3.6	3.3	6.9		12

# Organic carbon

Management considerations

Whole profile

• Plant available water is considered to be very low (estimated at 44 mm) for this profile based on an effective rooting depth of 65 mm.

Surface (A) horizons

• The surface soil is strongly acid and it would be expected liming may improve plant growth.
• Potassium is extremely deficient and a strong response to potassium fertiliser would be expected, provided phosphate was also added.
• The surface horizons have an extremely low nutrient holding capacity. Organic matter is important for maintaining nutrient and water holding capacity, especially in sandy soils.
• The low wilting points of the surface soils indicates plants will be able to use very light rains when the soil is dry. Due to the low water storage capacity of the surface soils, plants will soon suffer moisture stress unless follow-up rains occur.

Subsoil (B) horizons

• The depth to the clay would have little influence on plant growth as it occurs too deep in the profile.

Site EG256

Location: Fingerboards	Geo. Ref.: 528900E, 5817000N
Australian Soil Classification: Eutrophic, Mottled-Subnatric, Brown SODOSOL	Sodic brown texture contrast soil
General landscape description: Undulating Rises
Geology: Neogene alluvial sediments
Site description: North Slope of low rise (4%)
Native Vegetation: Plains grassy woodland
Map unit: Fernbank

Soil profile morphology

Surface soil

A1	0-15 cm	Very dark greyish brown (2.5YR3/2); loamy sand; moderate fine to medium sub-angular blocky structure; very weak consistence moderately moist; clear and smooth change to:
A2	15-27 cm	Pale brown (10YR6/3), light grey (10YR7/2) dry; sand; massive, loose to very weak consistence moist; very few fine quartz gravel; abrupt and wavy change to:
Subsoil
B21	27-90cm	Yellowish brown (10YR5/4) with many coarse distinct strong brown (5YR5/8) mottles; heavy clay; weak very coarse columnar structure parting to moderate medium; to coarse prismatic structure; firm consistence moist; diffuse change to:
B22	90-120cm	Yellowish brown (10YR5/4) with common medium distinct grey and red mottles; heavy clay; weak medium prismatic structure; very firm consistence moderately moist.

Key profile features

• Strong texture contrast between the surface horizons (A1 and A2) and the subsoils (B horizons).
• Conspicuously bleached subsurface (A2) horizon.

Soil profile characteristics

	pH	Sodicity	Slaking	Dispersion Dry	Dispersion Remoulded
Surface (A1 horizon)	Moderately acidic	Non sodic	Water stable	Nil (2 hours), Nil (20 hours)	Nil (2 hours), Nil (20 hours)
Subsoil (B21 horizon)	Slightly acidic	Sodic	Partial	Strong (2 hours), Strong (20 hours)	Strong (2 hours), Complete (20 hours)
Deep subsoil 90 – 120 cm	Moderately alkaline	Strongly sodic	Considerable	Moderate (2 hours), Strong (20 hours)	Moderate (2 hours), Complete (20 hours)

Horizon	Depth cm	Field texture	pH water	pH CaCl2	EC dS/m	Coarse sand %	Fine sand %	Silt %	Clay %	Field cap. % w/w	Wilt. point % w/w	PAW* water % w/w
A1	0-15	LS	5.7	4.5	0.19	37	39	7	10	20.4	6.9	13.5
A2	15-27	S	6.0	4.5	<0.05	39	43	7	11	11.3	1.8	9.5
B21	27-90	MC	6.6	6.4	0.19	20	27	9	42	26.9	15.3	11.6
B22	90-120	HC	8.0	7.2	0.35	18	26	11	43	23.4	13.0	10.4

* PAW refers to plant available water. This is the difference between the soil’s water content at field capacity and wilting point.

Depth	OrgC#	Total N	Free Fe2O3	Exch. Al	Exchangeable cations cmol(+)/kg							Ca:Mg	ESP
cm	%	%	% w/w	ppm	Ca	Mg	K	Na	Total	H	CEC
0-15	3.6	0.36			4.6	1.3	0.81	0.44	7.2	12	19.2	3.5
15-27					0.85	0.36	0.24	0.11	1.6	4.3	5.9	2.4
27-90					1.7	8.2	0.62	1.8	12.3	4.9	17.1	0.2	11
90-120					0.5	8.7	0.3	2.8	12.3		12.3	0.06	23

# Organic carbon

Management considerations

Whole profile

• Plant available water is considered to be very low (estimated at 47 mm) for this profile based on an effective rooting depth of 35 mm. The dense and coarsely structured upper subsoil is likely to restrict root depth. Most of the plant available water will be in the A1 horizon as the A2 horizon will be seasonally saturated. Roots in the subsoil will be confined to cracks in the soil and not penetrate deeply.

Surface (A) horizons

• The surface soil is moderately acid but is highly unlikely to affect plant growth.
• Potassium levels are high and no response to added potassium is likely.
• The surface (A1) horizon has a low nutrient holding capacity. Organic matter is important for maintaining nutrient and water holding capacity, especially in sandy soils
• The low wilting points of the surface soils indicates plants will be able to use very light rains when the soil is dry. Due to the low water storage capacity of the surface soils, plants will soon suffer moisture stress unless follow-up rains occur.

Subsoil (B) horizons

• The dense and coarsely structured subsoil is sodic and is strongly dispersive. This will result in significantly restricted root and water movement. The use of gypsum in association with deep ripping has been advocated by some researchers as an effective way to ameliorate sodic subsoils.

Site GP83

Location: Fernbank	Geo. Ref.: 516100E 5803200N
Australian Soil Classification: Vertic, Mottled-Subnatric, Brown SODOSOL	Sodic brown texture contrast soil
General landscape description: Undulating plain with low rises
Geology: Quaternary (Pleistocene) sediments
Site description: Grazing paddock
Map unit: Fernbank

Soil profile morphology

Surface soil

A1	0-15 cm	Dark brown (10YR3/3); loamy sand; pH 4.9; clear change to:
A2	15-30 cm	Light yellowish brown (10YR6/4) conspicuously bleached (10YR8/1 dry) mottles; sand; pH 5.1; sharp change to:
Subsoil
B21	30-60 cm	Yellowish brown (10YR5/6) with brownish yellow (10YR6/8) and greyish brown (10YR5/2) mottles; medium heavy clay; strong very coarse columnar, parting to weak-moderate very coarse blocky and weak coarse polyhedral structure; strong consistence (dry); pH 6.3; gradual change to:
B22	60-100 cm	Brownish yellow (10YR6/6, 6/8); light medium clay (sandy); strong very coarse prismatic structure; isolated rounded quartz gravel (5 cm); isolated slickensides; pH 7.0; gradual change to:
B23	100-120+ cm	Yellowish brown (10YR5/6); medium clay (sandy); moderate coarse prismatic, parting to moderate coarse blocky structure; dark staining evident; contains few (10%) quartz grit; pH 7.3.

Key profile features

• Strong texture contrast between sandy surface (A) horizons and clayey subsoil (B21) horizon.
• Conspicuously bleached subsurface (A2) horizon.

Soil profile characteristics

Horizon	pH	Salinity rating	Sodicity	Dispersion
Surface (A1 horizon)	Very Strongly Acid	Very Low	Non-Sodic	None
Subsoil (B21 horizon)	Slightly Acid	Low	Sodic	Strong
Deeper subsoil (at 100-120+ cm)	Slightly Alkaline	Medium	Strongly Sodic	Slight - Moderate

¹ Strongly dispersive after 20 hrs

Horizon	Depth cm	Field texture	pH water	pH CaCl2	EC dS/m	Coarse sand %	Fine sand %	Silt %	Clay %	Field cap. % w/w	Wilt. point % w/w	PAW* water % w/w
A1	0-15	LS	4.9	4.3	0.08	50	32	9	4	10.5	3.9	7
A2	15-30	S	5.1	4.5	<0.05	50	37	8	2	6.7	1.3	6
B21	30-60	MHC	6.3	5.2	0.11	23	18	8	50	29.0	17.7	11
B22	60-100	LMC	7.0	6.1	0.16	24	21	9	48	27.7
B23	100-120+	MC	7.3	6.7	0.58	9	30	18	42	17.2	15.4	2

* PAW refers to plant available water. This is the difference between the soil’s water content at field capacity and wilting point.

Depth	OrgC#	Total N	Free Fe2O3	Exch. Al	Exchangeable cations cmol(+)/kg							Ca:Mg	ESP
cm	%	%	% w/w	ppm	Ca	Mg	K	Na	Total	H	CEC
0-15				26	1.5	0.41	0.07	0.28	2.3	7.7	10	3.7
15-30				13	0.35	0.10	<0.05	0.21	0.7	1.1	1.8	3.5
30-60				12	2.1	6.1	0.14	1.7	10	7.4	17.4	0.34	10
60-100					0.98	7.3	0.13	2.6	11		11	0.13	24
100-120+					0.7	7.3	0.1	3.7	11.8		11.8	0.1	31

# Organic carbon

Management considerations

Surface (A) horizons

• The sandy surface horizons have a low water storage capacity. The low wilting point values indicate plants will be able to utilise light rains falling on relatively dry soils. However, due to the low water storage capacity, plants will soon suffer moisture stress unless further rainfall occurs. Organic matter is important in these sandy soils to enhance water holding capacity – as well as to enhance aggregation and fertility. These sandy soils have a low inherent fertility and are very strongly acid. Such strongly leached soils are also likely to be naturally deficient in nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur and potassium. Lime application will result in increased pH levels and make certain nutrients such as phosphorus more available to plants. Deficiencies of the trace element molybdenum (Mo) are also likely to occur in acid sandy soils (soil adsorption of Mo increases as pH decreases, leading to reduced availability to plants).

Subsoil (B) horizons

• The dense and coarsely structured upper subsoil is sodic and strongly dispersive. This will result in restricted root and water movement into the subsoil. After heavy rains water is likely to build up on top of the subsoil – leading to potential waterlogging in the sandy surface horizons.

Profile No. 68 (Aldrick et al, 1992)

Location: 24 km East of Stratford	Geo. Ref.: 531300E 5795800N
Australian Soil Classification: Eutrophic, Mottled-Mesonatric, Brown SODOSOL	Sodic brown texture contrast soil
Map unit: Fernbank

Depth cm	Colour	Texture	pH	TSS %	Grv %	CS %	FS %	Silt %	Clay %	Org C %	Tot N %	Exchangeable cations cmol(+)/kg					Ca:Mg	ESP
												Ca	Mg	K	Na	CEC
0-10	Very dark grey	LS	5.9	0.01	2	45	42	5	4	1.1	0.09	1.1	0.5	0.2	0.08	6.7	2.2	1
10-20	Dark greyish brown	S	6.2	0.01	7	47	42	5	4		.	0.8	0.3	0.06	0.06	3.5	2.7	2
30-60	Yellowish brown with grey mottles	SC	7.2	0.05	14	27	32	4	35			0.4	5.5	0.09	2.5	14.1	0.7	18
90-120	Yellowish brown with grey mottles	SC	7.7	0.11	19	20	29	4	44			0.2	7.3	0.09	4.9	17.2	0.3	28

* Quartz gravel not included in particle size analysis

Sample No. GR3 (Little and Ward)

Location: Centre Goon Nure Road, Goon Nure	Geo. Ref.: 549600E 5799400N
Australian Soil Classification: Eutrophic, Mottled-Subnatric, Brown SODOSOL	Sodic brown texture contrast soil
Map unit: Fernbank

Depth cm	Colour	Texture	pH	TSS %	Grv %	CS %	FS %	Silt %	Clay %	Org C %	Tot N %	Exchangeable cations cmol(+)/kg					Ca:Mg	ESP
												Ca	Mg	K	Na	CEC
0-10	Dark grey	S	5.8	0.01		45	37	8	7	2.1	0.15	3.1	1.6	0.23	0.10	11.4	1.9	1
20-30	Dark yellowish brown with yellowish brown mottles	MC	6.5	0.04		16	14	8	64			3.1	8.9	0.49	2.0	20.6	0.3	10
120-135	Strong brown with light grey mottles	LC	5.7	0.23		0	25	37	37			0.94	7.8	0.24	4.6	16.9	0.1	27

Gravel (> 2mm) and stones not included in analysis

Sample No. GR5 (Little and Ward)

Location: Patterson’s Road, Bairnsdale South	Geo. Ref.: 549750E 5801700N
Australian Soil Classification: Magnesic (& Eutrophic), Mottled-Subnatric, Sodic brown texture contrast soil Brown SODOSOL
Map unit: Fernbank

Depth cm	Colour	Texture	pH	TSS %	Grv %	CS %	FS %	Silt %	Clay %	Org C %	Tot N %	Exchangeable cations cmol(+)/kg					Ca:Mg	ESP
												Ca	Mg	K	Na	CEC
0-10	Dark grey	S	5.8	0.06		38	40	8	6	3.1	0.21	6.5	2.4	0.37	0.36	16.4	2.7	2
30-45	Brown with grey mottles	MC	6.0	0.08		14	19	9	60			1.9	8.6	0.40	2.0	20.7	0.2	10
120-135	Mottled dark red, yellowish brown and grey	MC	8.1	0.25		16	28	3	53			0.72	8.1	0.12	5.2	15.6	<0.1	33

Gravel (> 2mm) and stones not included in analysis

Sample No. GR6 (Little and Ward)

Location: Hoffman’s Road, Bengworden	Geo. Ref.: 542150E 5797400N
Australian Soil Classification: Eutrophic, Mottled-Subnatric, Brown SODOSOL	Sodic brown texture contrast soil
Map unit: Fernbank

Depth cm	Colour	Texture	pH	TSS %	Grv %	CS %	FS %	Silt %	Clay %	Org C %	Tot N %	Exchangeable cations cmol(+)/kg					Ca:Mg	ESP
												Ca	Mg	K	Na	CEC
0-10	Dark greyish brown	S	5.9	0.04		32	40	10	12	3.1	0.23	4.0	2.0	0.30	0.18	13.7	2	1
10-20	Mottled yellowish brown and grey	MC	5.5	0.04		13	15	3	67			3.0	9.7	0.53	1.5	26.7	0.3	6
120-135	Mottled yellowish brown and light grey	MC	5.3	0.11		22	31	4	40			0.54	6.5	0.77	3.3	16.1	<0.1	20

Gravel (> 2mm) and stones not included in analysis

Sample No. GR10 (Little and Ward)

Location: Bell Track, Fernbank	Geo. Ref.: 527850E 5801850N
Australian Soil Classification: Eutrophic, Mottled-Subnatric, Brown SODOSOL	Sodic brown texture contrast soil
Map unit: Fernbank

Depth cm	Colour	Texture	pH	TSS %	Grv %	CS %	FS %	Silt %	Clay %	Org C %	Tot N %	Exchangeable cations cmol(+)/kg					Ca:Mg	ESP
												Ca	Mg	K	Na	CEC
0-10	Dark greyish brown	LS	5.4	0.01
30-45	Mottled yellowish brown and dark greyish brown	MC	6.0	0.04		26	27	10	39			0.77	6.5	0.20	1.9	16.2	0.1	12
135-150	Mottled yellowish brown and greyish brown	MC	7.6	0.19		17	34	9	40			0.54	8.2	0.16	4.5	14.8	<0.1	30

Gravel (> 2mm) and stones not included in analysis

Sample No. GR11 (Little and Ward)

Location: Fernbank-Glenaladale Road, Fingerboards	Geo. Ref.: 528700E 5815200N
Australian Soil Classification: Eutrophic, Mottled-Subnatric, Brown SODOSOL	Sodic brown texture contrast soil
Map unit: Fernbank

Depth cm	Colour	Texture	pH	TSS %	Grv %	CS %	FS %	Silt %	Clay %	Org C %	Tot N %	Exchangeable cations cmol(+)/kg					Ca:Mg	ESP
												Ca	Mg	K	Na	CEC
0-10	Grey	S	5.4	0.01		38	43	11	8	1.51	0.112	1.4	0.5	0.08	0.06	7.2	2.8	1
30-45	Mottled yellowish and greyish brown and red	HC	5.7	0.04		18	22	10	52			7.4	9.6	0.10	2.0	20.3	0.8	10
120-135	Mottled light brownish grey, yellow brown and red	HC	5.8	0.16		18	30	12	39			0.98	9.6	0.19	4.8	17.7	0.1	27

Gravel (> 2mm) and stones not included in analysis

Sample No. GR13 (Little and Ward)

Location: Lindenow South	Geo. Ref.: 535700E 5813600N
Australian Soil Classification: Eutrophic, Mottled-Subnatric, Brown SODOSOL	Sodic brown texture contrast soil
Map unit: Fernbank

Depth cm	Colour	Texture	pH	TSS %	Grv %	CS %	FS %	Silt %	Clay %	Org C %	Tot N %	Exchangeable cations cmol(+)/kg					Ca:Mg	ESP
												Ca	Mg	K	Na	CEC
0-10	Dark grey	S	6.8	0.01		50	34	10	5	0.9	0.43	3.2	0.39	0.08	0	5.6	8.2	0
20-30	Greyish brown and strong brown mottles	LC	6.4	0.05		39	24	11	28			2.2	4.9	0.04	1.7	12.2	0.5	14
120-135	Yellowish brown, greyish brown and dark red	SC	8.1	0.10		47	27	8	18			0.7	4.0	0.04	2.6	8.1	0.2	32

Gravel (> 2mm) and stones not included in analysis

Sample No. GR14 (Little and Ward)

Location: Lindenow South	Geo. Ref.: 532350E 5808900N
Australian Soil Classification: Mottled-Sodic, Mesotrophic, Brown CHROMOSOL	Brown texture contrast soil
Map unit: Fernbank

Depth cm	Colour	Texture	pH	TSS %	Grv %	CS %	FS %	Silt %	Clay %	Org C %	Tot N %	Exchangeable cations cmol(+)/kg					Ca:Mg	ESP
												Ca	Mg	K	Na	CEC
0-10	Greyish brown	S	5.4	0.01		42	41	8	7	1.1	0.04	1.1	0.6	0.04	0	6.5	1.8	0
30-45	Strong brown and greyish brown mottles	MC	5.8	0.02		23	25	7	46			0.55	5.2	0.04	0.46	16.2	0.1	3
120-135	Mottled yellowish brown, greyish brown dark red	LC	6.0	0.08		30	35	1	34			0.54	5.2	0.03	1.7	10.7	0.1	16

Gravel (> 2mm) and stones not included in analysis

Sample No. GR17 (Little and Ward)

Location: Freemans Road, Munro	Geo. Ref.: 514700E 5803650N
Australian Soil Classification: Magnesic (and Eutrophic) Mottled-Subnatric Brown SODOSOL	Sodic brown texture contrast soil
Map unit: Fernbank

Depth cm	Colour	Texture	pH	TSS %	Grv %	CS %	FS %	Silt %	Clay %	Org C %	Tot N %	Exchangeable cations cmol(+)/kg					Ca:Mg	ESP
												Ca	Mg	K	Na	CEC
0-10	Greyish brown	S	5.8	0.01		38	41	14	4	0.9	0.05	1.3	0.4	0.12	0	5.4	3.3	0
20-30	Mottled greyish brown and yellowish brown	MC	5.6	0.04		25	29	12	36			0.54	5.8	0.29	1.64	15.9	<0.1	10
120-135	Mottled yellowish brown, grey and red	SC	8.1	0.21		28	23	9	41			1.2	7.4	0.08	5.5	16.6	0.2	33

Gravel (> 2mm) and stones not included in analysis

Sample No. GR26 (Little and Ward)

Location: Bombing Range Road, Perry Bridge	Geo. Ref.: 527150E 5791950N
Australian Soil Classification: Eutrophic (and Magnesic), Mottled-Mesonatric, Brown SODOSOL	Brown sodic texture contrast soil
Map unit: Fernbank

Depth cm	Colour	Texture	pH	TSS %	Grv %	CS %	FS %	Silt %	Clay %	Org C %	Tot N %	Exchangeable cations cmol(+)/kg					Ca:Mg	ESP
												Ca	Mg	K	Na	CEC
0-10	Greyish brown	S	5.6	0.02		45	42	6	4	1.5	0.08	2.2	0.57	0.16	0.06	5.3	3.9	1
45-60	Mottled dark grey and yellowish brown	MC	6.1	0.14		23	26	6	44			0.77	9.6	0.12	3.6	17.2	<0.1	21
120-135	Mottled yellowish brown, light grey and red	CS	8.2	0.11		36	43	5	16			0.57	2.6	0.04	1.8	5.4	0.2	33

Gravel (> 2mm) and stones not included in analysis

Sample No. GR30 (Little and Ward)

Location: Bengworden-Lakes Road, Perry Bridge	Geo. Ref.: 525200E 5794100N
Australian Soil Classification: Eutrophic, Mottled–Subnatric, Brown SODOSOL	Brown sodic texture contrast soil
Map unit: Fernbank

Depth cm	Colour	Texture	pH	TSS %	Grv %	CS %	FS %	Silt %	Clay %	Org C %	Tot N %	Exchangeable cations cmol(+)/kg					Ca:Mg	ESP
												Ca	Mg	K	Na	CEC
0-10	Grey	LS	5.8	0.05		43	40	9	3	2.2	0.12	4.7	1.3	0.16	0.10	9.3	3.6	1
40-60	Mottled pale red and strong brown	MC	5.6	0.05		18	18	1	63			1.7	7.6	0.13	2.5	18.1	0.2	14
120-135	Mottled grey, strong brown and red	CS	7.6	0.03		46	28	1	24			1.3	2.8	0.04	1.0	7.4	0.5	14

Gravel (> 2mm) and stones not included in analysis