Soil Series Mapping of the Lismore Region - Victorian Volcanic Plains

Soil Series Mapping of the Lismore Region - Victorian Volcanic Plains

McConachy, S.L.

A Soil Series Map of the Lismore Study Area, situated on the Victorian Volcanic Plains of western Victoria, was created through a series of intact soil core extractions, soil chemical and physical testing and profile descriptions.  Six soil types were recognised and described in the Lismore Study Area, their spatial distribution mapped, and their suitability to certain agricultural practices discussed.  Compaction and waterlogging are the main soil structural limitations to agricultural land use.  Granite outcrops have weathered into the Granitic Sandy Loams and are capped in small areas by the Buckshot Clays.  The Buckshot Clays are recognised as sporadic erosional remnants of marine sediments which are too small and isolated to be included on larger scale maps.  Two soil series have been delineated on the volcanic soils.  The earlier Nowra Red Clays have been exposed in creek lines and patches across the plains.  Lismore Grey Clays have formed on the intermediate age (3.6 Ma) basalt flows and make up the largest soil type across the Lismore Study Area.  Mundy Gully Black Clays and Lunette Clays are depositional soils and have formed more recently, mainly through wash-off and aeolian sediments, both largely derived from the basalts.    This study fulfils objectives of the Corangamite Soil Health Strategy and provides the Department of Primary Industries and the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority with more accurate soil management advice for landholders, the Lismore Land Protection Group and local farmers.