Dermosols

Dermosols (Australian Soil Classification) are soils lacking strong texture contrast between surface (A) horizons and the upper subsoil (B21) horizon.

Dermosols in the West Gippsland Region

This overview map of Dermosols in the West Gippsland region has been developed from more detailed

regional soil/landform mapping

(Sargeant and Imhof, In press)

. It shows areas where Dermosols are most likely to occur within the region and should only be used as a general indication of their distribution. Note that other soil types may also occur within these mapped areas. Also, some areas (e.g. forested areas in the north of the region) have been largely unsurveyed and the distribution of soil types here is not well known.

Brown Dermosol in Strzelecki hills near Fish Creek.

Acidic Brown and Grey Dermosols have developed on the strongly dissected South Gippsland hills. They are characterised by a lack of strong texture contrast, and are strongly acid throughout the profile. Weathering Cretaceous sandstones and mudstones usually occurs before 1.5 metre depth.

North of the South Gippsland uplands are low hills and undulating rises comprising Tertiary sediments which were deposited as fans and aprons of gravel, sand and clay derived from the Central Highlands. The soils on these Tertiary hills and rises are typically Yellow and Grey Dermosols. They are generally strongly leached, lack strong texture contrast between the surface and subsoil horizons and are acidic throughout the profile. Below the clayey subsoil, the underlying material is quite variable and ranges from sandy clays to cemented sands and gravels.

Grey Dermosol near Willow Grove.

Black Dermosol near Cowwarr.

Black Dermosols have developed on Recent sediments associated with the Thomson, Macalister and Avon floodplains. They lack strong texture contrast and are very well structured and permeable. These can be excellent cropping soils.

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