LAND INVENTORY AND TECHNICAL GUIDE EASTERN DOWNS AREA QUEENSLAND
LAND CLASSIFICATION
AND LAND USE
BY
B. E°VANDERSEE
DIVISION OF LAND UTILISATION TECHNICAL BULLETIN NO. 7.
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES O
MARCH, 1975 Queensland Government Technical Report
This report is a scanned copy and some detail may be illegible or lost. Before acting on any information, readers are strongly advised to ensure that numerals, percentages and details are correct.
This report is intended to provide information only on the subject under review. There are limitations inherent in land resource studies, such as accuracy in relation to map scale and assumptions regarding socio-economic factors for land evaluation. Before acting on the information conveyed in this report, readers should ensure that they have received adequate professional information and advice specific to their enquiry.
While all care has been taken in the preparation of this report neither the Queensland Government nor its officers or staff accepts any responsibility for any loss or damage that may result from any inaccuracy or omission in the information contained herein.
© State of Queensland 1975
For information about this report contact [email protected] SUMMA RY
The land resources of the Eastern Downs area of South Eastern Queensland comprising 1 320 700 hectare., were classified to provide a basis for land use planning and the development of effective agricultural research anq extension programmeso
The climate, phys=ogrephy, drainage, hydrology and geology of the area are discussed in broad terms~
The soils have been classified into 63 soil series, which have been described. The important physical and chemical characteristics of these soils and their effects on land use are discussed=
Nine plant communities have been recognised0 These have been discussed in terms of their distribution, structural form and dominant species.
The area has been mapped into 19 land systems° The land system and component land units are describec The sequence and relationship of land systems to one another are outlined= Vegetation, soils, landform and land capability classifications have been developed for each of the land units. The relationship between land units within land systems is illustrated in a series of vertical cross sections.
Beef cattle, dairying and grain cropping are the most important agricultural activities.
Present land use, problems and future potential of the area are discussed= It is apparent that many farmer employ management practices that do not comply" with those essential for long-term productivity. CONTENTS
SUMMA RY LIST OF TABLES LIST OF FIGURES LIST OF MAPS LIST OF APPENDICES
PAGE 1. INTRODUCTION 1
e 1,1 PURPOSE OF STUDY 1 1.2 DESCRIPTION OF AREA 1
2. METHODOLOGY 1
2.1 PRINCIPLES OF SURVEYS 1 2.2 METHOD OF SURVEYING 1 2.3 LAND CAPABILITY CLASSIFtCATION 1 3. CLIMATE OF THE EASTERN DOWNS 2 3,1 GENERAL CLIMATIC CHARACTERISTICS 2 3.1.1 Introduction 2 3.1.2 Rainfall 2 3.1.3 Temperature 3
3.2 AGROCLIMATOLOGY 3 3.2.1 Rainfall 3 3.2,1.1 Winter cereals 5 3.2.1.2 Summer cereals 6 3.2.2 Temperature 6 3,2.3 Climate and Livestock 7
4. PHYSIOGRAPHY, DRAINAGE AND HYDROLOGY ;'
4.1 PHYSIOGRAPHY 7 4.2 SURFACE HYDROLOGY 7 4.3 GROUNDWATER HYDROLOGY 7 4.3.1 Hydrological Units 7 4.3.2 Use of Underground Water 9 4.3.2.1 Estimation of long term annual yield 9
5. GEOLOGY 9
5.1 INTROOUCTION 9 5.2 GEOLOGICAL SEQUENCE 9 5.2,1 Palaeozoic Era 9 5.2.2 Mesozoic Era 9 5.2.3 Cainozoic Era 10
6. VEGETATION 10
6 1 INTRODUCTION 10 6.2 THE PLANT COMMUNITIES 10 6.2=I Blue Grass Grassland 10 6.2_2 Mountain Coolibah Woodland to Shrubby Woodland 10 6°2 3 Poplar Box, Grassy Open Woodland to Woodland 11 62~4 Brigalow-Belah Open Forest to Layered Open Forest 11 6..25 Layered Open Forest of Sydney Blue Gum, Tallowwood, Stringybark and Bloodwood 11 6.2.6 R1ver Red Gum and Queensland Blue Gum Fringing Forests 11 6.2.7 Layered Open Forest to Shrubby Woodland of Ironbarks, Grey Box, Spotted Gum, Angophoras and Wattles 11 6.2.8 Layered Open Forest of Ironbark, Grey Box, New England Blackbutt, Yellow Box and Blakely's Red Gum 11
7. SOILS 12
7ol INTRODUCTION 12 7.2 SOIL CLASSIFICATION 12 73 SOIL ANALYSIS 14 7.4 THE SOILS 14 7.4.1 L ithosols 14 7.4.2 Siliceous Sands 14 7.4.3 Grey, Brown and Red Clays 14 7.4.4 Black Earths 14 7.4.5 Rindz inas 14 PAGE
7.4.6 Sotonetz, Solodized Solonetz, Solodic and Soloth Soils 14 7.4.6.1 Moderately deep to deep texture-contrast soils with yellow grey clayey subsoils 15 7.4,6.2 Moderately deep to deep texture-contrsst soils with dark grey clayey subsoils 1 5 7.4.6.3 Moderately deep to deep texture-contrast soils'with red clayey subsoils 15 7.4.6.4 Shallow to moderately deep texture-contrast soils with yellow clayey subsoils 15 7.4.6.5 Shallow to moderately deep texture-contrast soils with dark clayey subsoils 15 7.4.7 Red Brown Earths 15 7.4.8 Red Earths 15
8. LAND SYSTEMS 18
8,1 INTRODUCTION t8 8.2 THE LAND SYSTEMS 18 8.2.1 Tertiary Basalt Lands 18 8.2.2 Older Alluvial Plains 18 8.2.3 Recent Alluvial Clays 18 8.2.4 Lighter Textured Alluvials 18 8°2.5 Forested Residuals 19 8.2,6 Brigalow Lands 19 8.2.7 Granite and Traprock Lands 19
9. LAND UTILISATION 19
9.1 HISTORICAL 19 9.2 PRESENT LAND USE 20 9.2.1 Cropping 20 9.2.2 Beef Cattle/Cropping 20 9.2.3 Beef Cattle 20 9.2.4 Dairying 20 9.2.5 Sheep 21 9.2.6 Pigs and Poultry 21 92.7 Fruit and Vegetables 21 9.2.8 Forestry 21 9.2.9 Mining 21
9.3 FACTORS AFFECTING LAND USE 21 9.3.1 Climate and Soil Moisture 21 9.3,2 Site Factors 23 9.3.3 Soil Properties 23 9.3.4 Soil Erosion Factors 23
9.4 DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL AND FUTURE PROBLEMS 24
10. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 26
11. BIBLIOGRAPHY 27 LIST OF TABLES
TABLE NO. PAGE
1 Average Annual Rainfall for Selected Centres 2
2 Monthly and Annual Rainfall Decilas 3
3 Declles of Rainfall for Consecutive Periods of Months for Warwick 4
4 Mean Monthly Temperature and Mean Annual Evaporation and Humidity 4
5 Frec~uency of First Planting Rains ° Dalby 5
6 Frost Occurrence 6
7 Monthly Frequency of Heat Waves (1926-1 950~ 6
8 Totat Dissolved Solids in Waters from bore near Dalby 8
9 Distrfbution of Plant Communlttes within Land Systems 12
10 Structural Forms, Dominant Species and D~stributlon of the Major Communities 13
11 Factors influencing Use of Soil Sertes 16-1
12 Areas Farmed and under Various Crops (year ended 31 March. 1973) 22
13 Livestock Numbers at 31 .March, 1973 22
14 Ma}or Enterprises on Land Systems 11974 Data) 25-2 APPENDICES
I LAND SYSTEMS DESCRIPTIONS
II KEYS TO LAND UNITS WITHIN LAND SYSTEMS
III LAND CAPABILITY CLASSIFICATION
IV GLOSSARY OF THE MORE COMMON PLANT SPECIES
V ANALYTICAL DATA FOR SELECTED PROFILES
VI DESCRIPTION OF THE SOIL SERIES LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE NO.
1 Generalised Relationships Between Land Systems
LIST OF MAPS
Locality Plan
Land Capability Map
Land System Map Sheet, 1 and 2 1. INTRODUCTION
The classification and evaluation of land resources is an integral part of any effective agricultural reseat, and extension programme in a developing or re-developing area, The Eastern Downs Land Inventory is a continua of the policy of the Soil Conservation Branch of the Division of Land Utilisation, Department of Primary Industrie to prepare techmcal guides for planning land use within Queensland.
1.1 PURPOSE OF STUDY
The purpose of the survey is to provide a systematic description and assessment of the land resources of the Eastern Downs area as a basis for the development of sound land use practices°
1.2 DESCRIPTION OF AREA
The Study area embraces approximately I 320 700 hectares of the Condamine River basin, west of the Great Dividing Range It comprises that part of the Condamine River trom its source at Wilson'a Peak down- stream to Dalby~
The shires of Wambo, Jondaryan, Crow's Nest, Rosalie, Millmerran, Pittsworth, Clifton, Toowoomba, Cambooya, AIIora~ Rosenthal and Glengallan all cover portions of the area°
The tote! population of the area is approximately 100,000= Toowoombe is the principal centre with a population of 59,476 at the 1971 census, while major centres are located at Warwick in the south (population 9,356) and at Dalby on the western boundary (population 8,890).
Many miles of well constructed roads service the region including the Warrego, Cunningham and the New England Highways~ The Great Western Railway, the Southern Railway, and numerous branch lines provide additional transport facilities°
2. METHODOLOGY
2.1 PRINCIPLES OF SURVEYS
Land surveys concentrate on the Collection and compilation of data about individual pieces of land= The methods used in surveys depends on the nature of the information required.
The land system approach has been used for this survey as it is a convenient and rapid way of dividing land into easily recognisable and describable units° Land systems have been defined by Christian and Stewart (1953) as "an area or group of areas throughout which there is a recurring pattern of topography, soils and vegetation" ~ Areas of uniform topography, sol Is and vegetation within a land system, are described as land units. One or more land units may occur in any land system.
2.2 METHOD OF SURVEYING
All available information on soils, vegetation and geology of the area was collected and examlned~
After initial aerial photo-interpretation several field traverses were conducted to enable different photo= patterns to be correlated with field occurrences of particular soils, vegetation and topography. Detailed photo- interpretation was then carried out over the whole of the area= Patterns were delineated on the photos and field checked° During the final phases of field checking, plant species and communities were described, those site factors recognised as affecting land use were also recorded and soll samples were collected for analysis=
From the information gathered, land systems and their component land units were defined= Cross-sections were drawn showing the special relationship between land units within each land system. The complexity of man of the land systems makes it difficult to represent all situations= A key has been produced to aid in identificatio of land units within each land system°
A land systems map was produced for the area at a scale of 1:200 000.
2.3 LAND CAPABILITY CLASSIFICATION
The agricultural capability classification follows the U.S.D.A. practice of defining eight capability ¢lass~ The eight Capability classes, as defined by Klingebiel and Montgomery (1961 }, have been recommended for use in Queensland° A summary of the characteristics of these classes is listed in Appendix I11= The classes are so arranged that land having the greatest alternative use with the minimum of risk Is in class I, whilst that with the least alternatives and greatest hazard falls into class VIII. The classification adopted in this study was descril0~ by Rosser et al (1974). 1 3. CLIMATE OF THE EASTERN DOWNS
3.1 GENERAL CLIMATIC CHARACTERISTICS
3.1.1 Introduction
The climate of the Eastern Downs is sub-tropical with some modification because of elevation=
tts sub-tropical location places the district within the influence of weather systems centred in the tropics to the north and the temperate zone to the south~ Climate is thus intermediate between areas with predominantly summer and predominantly winter rainfall.
The major influence results from the movement in the south of high pressure systems which cross the continent from west to east at about latitude 30os in winter and latitude 40os in summer° Outflowing air on the northern side of these highs results in the typical south-easterly trade winds. In the summer months the winds have a long passage over warm seas which leads to the high moisture content of the air mass° This together with the greater number of rainfall triggering mechanisms largely accounts for the predominantly summer rainfall
In summer, the south-easterly situation is interrupted by the intrusion of moist air from the tropics in troughs of low pressure~ Tropical cycJones can bring considerable summer rain to the region= During the winter months, the south-easterly or westerly situation is interrupted every 7 to 10 days by the passage of a trough associated with a depression to the south Well developed troughs cause a shift in the prevailing winds to easterly or north-westerly ahead of the trough, occasionally producing an inflow of moist air aloft, and useful rain may occur~ Following the passage of these troughs, southerly air masses may penetrate north producing periods with clear calm days and kigh frost risk
3.1.2 Rainfall
The rainfall pattern is mainly determined by the influence of the elevated eastern section which modifies the general decline in rainfall from the coast to the interior of the continent~ A limited area of highlands in the extreme south-east receives an average annual rainfall of over 1270 mmo The eastern edge of the area receives over 760 mm but the decline in a westerly direction is rapid~
Average annual rainfall for 24 stations in the Eastern Downs are presented in Tabte 1. The data are for the standard period 1931-1960. Comparisons for those stations with a much longer period of record suggests that averages for the period 1931-1960 may be 25 to 50 mm higher than long term records. However, a standard period is necessary to compare stations,
The average at Toowoomba for example is approximately 1 000 mm but areas to the west receive less than 760 mm The Karara area in the south-west of the Eastern Downs has the lowest annual rainfall.
Winter rainfall accounts for approximately one-tt~ird of the annual average Stations in the south of the region receive up to 38% winter rainfall compared to 32% in the north
The frequency distribution and variability of annual and monthly rainfall is indicated by the rainfall data in Table 2= Rainfall deciles, averages and highest and lowest recorded rainfall for four centres in the Eastern Downs are included in Table 2o In Table 3, deciles for rainfall in consecutive periods from 2 to 8 months are presented for Warwick=
TABLE 1
AVERAGE ANNUAL RAINFALL FOR SELECTED CENTRES
(Standard Perlod 1931-1960)
Centre Rainfall Centre Rainfall (ram) (ram)
Ac I and 650 Haden 748 A I Iora 705 Jondaryna 693 Back Plains 717 Karera 633 Balgownie 694 Killarney 744 Be I I 695 Leyburn 667 Ca mbooya 70@ ML Irving 652 C I i fton 718 Oakey 730 Da I by 685 P i ttsworth 659 Emu Vale 671 Pratten 687 Goom bu ngee 713 T oowoom 10a 936 Gowri e 717 Warw~c k 703 Greenmount 745 Westbrook 667
Source: "Rainfall Statistics, Queensland" Bureau of Meteorology, 19660
1 Prepared by B.J. White, Development Planning Branch. 2 TABLE 2
MONTHLY AND ANNUAL RAINFALL DECILES (ram)
Centre and Item Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Period or Record Decile
Be I I Low 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 O 0 0 2 0 0 1911 -1 965 1 24 f 3 10 5 2 5 5 4 2 9 8 36 3 54 55 32 15 10 21 21 11 13 36 39 71 5 82 69 54 30 23 31 34 21 30 46 55 96 7 109 95 75 48 42 61 51 30 41 80 101 119 9 1 54 191 ! 28 86 68 92 72 53 63 1 06 163 1 79 HMgh 253 324 164 126 122 178 116 99 209 170 213 236 Mean 87 86 60 38 32 43 36 24 33 57 76 99
C I i fton Low 1 0 7 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 2 4 1897-I 965 1 33 1 9 6 2 1 2 4 4 6 12 12 22 3 56 36 2 7 16 11 1 7 20 11 20 39 41 55 5 80 62 55 28 27 32 35 1 8 37 53 56 8.5 7 110 89 94 50 43 46 48 36 52 75 82 119 9 157 185 139 79 76 103 87 66 80 108 125 180 High 256 259 250 128 117 192 133 116 139 192 172 262 Mean 90 77 67 38 33 41 39 27 40 61 66 91
Da I by Low 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 6 t870-1965 1 20 12 1! 1 0 3 2 2 7 12 11 27 3 46 36 32 11 13 17 19 10 19 31 37 51 5 77 58 57 30 22 33 36 1 9 33 49 60 76 7 106 91 94 49 46 54 48 39 50 69 86 116 9 163 162 1 31 79 77 94 99 71 81 11 8 1 56 195 High 276 363 342 126 152 198 164 172 146 169 212 262 1 Mean 85 77 69 35 33 42 41 29 40 55 71 89
Toowoomba Low 12 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 5 8 1870-1965 1 37 31 1-8 9 5 4 6 5 9 20 20 41 3 75 56 42 30 26 22 23 1 5 24 43 45 73 5 1 t 4 87 91 52 36 41 42 32 44 59 77 1'04 7 16 t 1 49 129 84 68 68 63 44 72 83 11 5 148 1 9 281 266 220 134 11 5 1 59 129 80 94 131 1 57 207 1 High 393 736 390 243 268 350 248 266 168 234 249 358 1 Mean 134 124 1 03 64 53 59 53 39 50 71 86 117
Note: Period for means is to 1964.
Sources: Review of Australia's Water Resources, Bureau of Meteorology, 1968o Rainfall Statistics, Queensland, Bureau of Meteorology, 1 966.
3ol.3 Temperature
Mean monthly temperatures for 6 centres in the Eastern Downs are listed in Table 4, Summer temperatures generally increase from east to west with declining elevation and decreasing rainfall° Winter temperatures are influenced by elevation, topography and latitude. Estimates of annual evaporation and humidity data a Iso appear in Table 4~ Evaporation trends are generally related to temperature and aridity
3.2 AGROCLIMATOLOGY
As the major factor limiting plant growth is water avaalability, the most important climatic element is rain1 Rainfall distribution accounts for most of the variability in production in the district and is more important than th combined effects of frost, heat waves, winds and humidity= In the following section (3.2.1) some aspects of rainfa and temperature are discussed in relation to winter and summer grain cropping=
3.2.1 Rainfall
The effectiveness of rainfall in meeting moisture requirements for plant growth depends on availability of soil moisture to the plant, demand in relation to atmospheric conditions and stage of plant developmenL As potenl evapotranspiration is generally higher in all months of the year than mean monthly rainfall, utilisation of rainfall received during fallow periods is necessary for successful cropp,ng in most years In recent years there has been an increase =n the area planted to summer crops. This is partly due to the very good prices being received and als as an aid to control winter weeds, particularly black oats (Avena spp.)o TABLE 3 DECILES OF RAINFALL IN CONSECUTIVE PERIODS OF MONTHS FOR WARWICK (ram)
Details of Rainfall Experience in Cons__ecutive Months commencing with the Month indicated Number Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec of Months 2 70 49 26 14 21 18 23 29 36 61 74 73 3 120 67 53 44 42 41 46 70 84 121 142 131 4 137 90 80 76 75 74 93 1 (30 157 176 195 176 Decile 1 5 170 121 116 102 104 126 138 18,3 208 235 258 199 6 207 164 137 t33 148 167 213 232 275 294 273 233 7 244 192 175 180 204 228 255 306 337 330 294 267 8 270 232 215 214 255 298 345 356 356 357 336 315
2 164 132 85 67 70 81 73 61 100 125 145 175 3 215 167 122 105 111 112 115 131 165 224 237 248 4 262 1 90 163 1 56 142 1 54 1 82 197 2E)4 307 316 307 Deci le 5 5 299 2 50 223 185 185 215 247 294 342 382 386 357 6 341 295 250 225 256 291 339 3139 4~6 449 422 391 7 393 326 291 292 332 379 430 439 505 486 464 437 8 41 8 373 36.3 354 416 481 51 5 542 F~.39 542 496 482
2 290 249 2!0 153 1E6 157 1 57 147 166 205 265 328 3 343 318 272 228 219 228 218 250 277 334 402 421 4 429 357 31 7 292 293 283 305 324 399 464 482 461 Decile 9 5 438 418 377 340 345 3"66 370 424 542 577 545 512 5 496 478 420 391 433 435 485 567 625 630 604 554 7 556 525 458 480 468 534 596 653 666 683 653 621 8 597 554 573 544 579 660 701 700 721 698 899 669
Source: Review of Australia's Water Resources, Bureau of Meteorology, 1968.
TABLE MEAN MONTHLY TEMPERATURE AND MEAN ANNUAL EVAPORATION AND HUMIDITY
Monthly Mean Temperature (oc) Annual Centre item Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Estimated Relative Tank Humidity E vaporaUon I ndex (ram) Cambooya Max 30.4 29.5 28.1 25.1 21.4 18.2 17.8 19.6 22.8 25,4 28.8 29.8 1392 73 Min 16.4 16.1 13.8 9.2 5.2 2.7 1.8 2=6 5.8 10.0 1301 15.2
Dalby Max 32.2 31.3 29.6 26°6 22.7 19.4 18.8 20.9 24.4 28.1 30.5 31.6 1 709 61 Min 18.2 17.7 15.9 11.9 8.0 5.4 4.4 5.2 8.8 12.6 15.7 1~7.5
Killarney Max 29.7 28.7 26.9 24.1 20.2 17.4 16.8 18.6 27.4 25.4 27.9 29ol 1356 72 Min 16.1 15.7 14.0 9.9 6.2 3.3 2.7 2.7 5.2 9.2 12.6 14.3
Pittsworth Max 30.2 29.4 27.8 24.4 20.2 17.1 16.3 18.4 22.2 25.9 28.5 29.6 1491 65 Min 17.1 16.7 15,1 12.0 8.4 6.1 5.2 5.9 8.8 11.9 14.2 16.2
Toowoomba Max 28.2 27.2 25.7 23.1 19.6 16.7 16.2 18.0 21.4 24.6 26.8 27.9 1227 74 Min 16.2 16.1 14.8 11.4 8.1 5.8 4.8 5.5 8.2 11.3 13.7 15.3
Warwick Max 30.3 29.3 27.5 24.8 20.8 18.0 17.3 19.2 22.7 26.1 28.7 29.9 1463 65 Min 17.2 16.8 15.1 12.3 7.2 4.4 3.3 3.7 6.6 10.7 14.1 15.8
Source: "Climatic Averages, Australia' ', Bureau of Meteorology, 1956. Tank Evaporation estimates are from AUSTCLIM DATA, C.S.I.R=O. Division of Land Research,
4 3.2.1.1 Winter cereals
The ability of the clay soils to store summer rainfall and accumulate nitrates under bare fallow has contributed to winter cereals being the main crop ~n this summer rainfall area=
The effects of rainfall on winter cereal cropping can be best illustrated by considering four periods=
Summer fallow Pa~nfall - November to Apri | Planting rain - May to June Growing season rain - July to October Rainfall at harvest - November
SUMMER FALLOW RAINFALL. War~ng etat. (1958) have shown that a considerable part of the available moisture at planting on a black earth had been accumulated prior to harvesting the previous wheat crop. During the pre-harvest ripening period, crop water requirements are low and because of deep cracking in black earths at low moisture content, efficient accumulation is possible. As soil moisture increases, effic~ency of fallow moisture build-up declines because of lower ~nfiltratJon rates and high evaporative losses from the considerable amount of moisture retained in the surface evaporation zone= Of the average rainfall of about 400 mm during the November to April period, only 100 to 130 mm may be rata=ned as available soil moisture st wheat planting= Accumulation is heavily dependent on timing, amounts, intensity and distribution of rainfall in relation to initial soil moisture. The overall relationship between total fallow rainfall and moisture at planting is indirect=
PLANTING RAINFALL° The June-July period ps normally considered most suitable for planting. Earlier plantings make rapid growth under warmer conditions, are less prone to moisture stress but can be adversely affected by frost at flowering time Late plantings have a higher probability of moisture stress at flowering, poor harvesting conditions and rust..
In Table 5, results are preseRted of an analysis by Beckmann and Thompson (1960) of daily rainfall for Dalby for the period 1911 to 1950. The criteria used to assess the frequency of suitable plsntJng rains are 18 mm in a two day period, 25 mm ~n a three day period, or 32 mm in a five day period. The risks of a poor strike would be higher with less stringent criteria.
TABLE 5
FREQUENCY OF FIRST PLANTING RAINS -DALBY
Period Percentage Frequency of Occurrence
May 1-15 32~5 May 16-31 20 June 1 -1 5 17.5 June 16-30 7.5 July 1 -31 7.5 Fai lure 1 5
From the above table it can be seen that the frequency of suitable planting rains decreases from May on~ Because of the greater risk of subsequent frost damage for early plantings, compromise is necessary.
GROWING SEASON RAINFALL° Mean monthly rainfall decreases from about 37 mm =n June to 25 mm in August and then increases to over 50 mm in October= With increasing temperatures and plant development, plant transpiration requirements over this period increase from less than 50 mm per month during the early vegetative stages, up to 275 mm per month during the grain filling stages.
Gram yield potential is determined during the period from planting to heading. Whether this potential is realised depends on moisture deficit during heading and early grain development= Nix and Fitzpatrick (1 969) haw found strong correlations between wheat yields and an index of water stress° The index is the ratio of available water in the root zone during head emergence, to mean potential evaporation during the period from head emergen to early grain filling0
RAINFALL AT HARVEST. Beckmann and Thompson (1960~, from an analysis of daily rainfall from 1911 1950, have concluded that conditions at harvest were good, fair and poor, approximately one year in three for ea( ca tegoryo
Excluding yield limiting factors such as frosts and fertility, wheat yields are generally well correlated w plant water use, unless water stress periods are concentrated in one period of plant growth= In general, assumin~ 114 mm of available moisture was stored at planting and 165 mm was used during crop growth, an average yield ( about 1700 kg/ha would result on a black earth° Water available for crop growth is considerably less than actual rainfall received because of factors such as runoff and ineffectiveness of light falls° For each additional 25 mm of water used, a mean response of 200 to 270 kg/ha results, up to the average present dryland yrald potential -of 4100 to 4500 kg/ha if other factors, particularly ferti ity, are not Iimitingo 3.2.1.2 Summer grains
Increased areas of summer grains have been planted in recent years While there is some flexibility in planting times, rainfall and frosts must be considered The mare plantings take place between November and early January_
Earlier plantings are possible after late frosts in September although harvest conditions may De poor during the wet mid-summer months::
Midge damage in sorghum is generally less with early crops= Good planting rains are more probable with later planted crops, but there is the risk of frost before maturity_ In mature crops, frosts kill regrowth which improves harvesting efficiency As plant water requirements for summer crops ere greater than the mean summer rainfall, these crops rely on stored moisture°
3.2.2 Temperature
Temperature in relation to frost incidence ts an important factor affecting the timing of crop establishment. The frequency and severity of frosts show considerable spatial variation, This 0s related to local terrain which concentrates cold air within surface depressions Table 6 lists the average date of occurrence of first and last frosts for five centres in the Eastern Downs
At the other extreme, heat waves can have detrimental effects on crop production Skerman (1958) has found the occurrence of temperatures over 37.8oc at time of flowering, detrimental to grain sorghum yields Frequency of heat waves, defined as days with temperatures over 378oc are presented in Table 7
TABLE 6
FROST OCCURRENCE
Altitude (metres) Daiby Killarney Pittsworth Toowoomba Warwick 3 45 516 518 586 453
Light Frosts (2.2Oc~ First recorded Apr 1 7 'Mar 29 Apr 17 Mar 29 Apt 1 0 Average first recorded and mean dev,ation (days) May 18 Apr 30 May 27 May 23 May 12 (15) (11) (21) (17) (!8) Average last recorded and mean deviation (days) Sept 13 Sept 27 Sept 1 Sept 7 Sept 20 (9) t13) (16) (10) (10) Last recorded Oct 1 Nov 17 Oct 12 Oct 13 Oct 12
Heavy Frosts (0°C) F irs t recorded Me/ 8 Apr 17 May 25 A pr 17 A pr 1 7 Average first recorded and mean deviation (days) June 17 May 15 June 23 June 16 June 4 (11) (18) (12) (18) (12) Average last recorded and mean deviation (days) Aug 23 Sept 10 Aug 10 Aug 12 Sept 2 (12) (10) (10) (13) (13) Last recorded Sept 16 Oct 21 Sept 3 Sept 16 Oct 12
Frost Free Period (Days) (2°2oc Basis) 246 21 4 267 257 253
Source: Frost in the Australian Region J=C. Foley, Bulletin No: 32. Bureau of Meteorology°
Periods; Averages 1930-1939 Extremes 1908-1 939
TABLE 7 MONTHLY FREQUENCY OF HEAT WAVES (1926"1950)
Consecutive Days with Maximum Dalby Warwick Pittsworth Temperature over 37.80C N. D. J. F. M. N. D. J. F. M. N. D. J. F. M,
2 3 5 14 2 1 1 5 8 1 4 3 1 1 8 1 - 1 6 1 2 5 - - - ! "
Source: Skerman P.Jo (1958) -"Heat waves and their significance in Queensland's Primary Industries " Proceedings of Canberra Symposium, Climatotogy and Microclimatology pp. 195-8 (UNESCO).
6 3.2.3 Climate and Livestock
The temperature and soil moisture regimes of the Eastern Downs are such that combinations of tropical a temperate species should be grown to maintain continuity of feed. The climatic factors have been analysed by Fitzpatrick and Nix (1970) at numerous locations throughout Australiao In sub-tropical areas, temperate pasture species face problems of survival during summer because of competition from tropical species Thus, temperate grasses and legumes are better adapted to elevated and higher rainfall areas. Tropical grasses and lucerne are highly productive during the summer months= The winter feed gap has been closed by the v+idespread use of fodd( crops such as oats
4. PHYSIOGRAPHY, DRAINAGE AND HYDROLOGY
4.1 PHYSIOGRAPHY The physiography of the area consists of deeply dissected mountains of the Great Dividing Range, deepl dissected traprock and granite country, low hills and a flat alluvial plain
The Great Dividing Range is basaltic in origin and forms the eastern and northern boundaries of the regi( Wilson's peak near Killarney is 1230 metres high while ML Mowbullan in the Bunya Mountains is 1100 metres ab sea level
Deeply dissected hills and mountains occur in the south of the area These consist of traprock and grani The Herries Range forms the south-western boundary of the area with ML Burrabaranga 796 metres above sea lev,
The low dissected hills which form the major part of the area are of basalt and sandstones~ They occur ir the south, centrat and northern portions of the area~ Land ranges in height from 461 metres at AIIora, 465 metres at Cambooya to 578 metres at Pittsworth.
An extensive alluvial plain occurs in the central western portion of the area° This plain is derived from t deposition of eroded material from the basaltic hills to the east and north-east and to a lesser extent from the sa stones to the north-east: The plain grades from east to west° Dalby on the western edge of the plain is 345 metre above sea level.
4.2 SURFACE HYDROLOGY The region is drained by the Condamine River and its tributaries, it rises at Wilson's Peak in the south-~ and flows in a north-westerly direction towards Dalby= The Condamine is an integral part of the Murray-Darling s whose mouth is In South Australia=
Numerous tributaries drain from the Great Dividing Range into the Condamine River Some of the more important of these are Rosenthal, Sandy, Emu, Swan, Freestone, Glengaltan, Dalrymple, Kings, Hodgson, Westbr~ Gowrie, Oakey, Myall, Thane's and Canal Creeks,+
The Condamine River becomes multi-channelled as it crosses the gently sloping alluvial plains; The tributaries are relatively shallow due to silting.
Flooding is a serious problem on the alluvial plains= This has been aggravated by over-clearing and excE cultivation of the upland areas° The "Upper Condamine Catchment Committee", River Improvement Trusts, Irrio~ and Water Supply Commission, Department of Primary Industries and various Local Authorities are all working to maintaining and stabilising the surface hydrology of thearea=
Three large dams for domestic and limited irrigation use have been constructed within the area. They an the Connolly and Leslie Dams near Warwick and the Cooby Creek Dam north of Toowoomba. Thane's, Canal and Back Creeks may provide sites for large dams due to the high runoff from the surrounding country°
Topographically, much of the upland areas is suited for farm gully dams.
4.3 GROUNDWATER HYDROLOGY
4.3.1 Hydrological Units 1
There are four major hydrological units occurring in the area= These are: the Tertiary basalt, the Mesozo sediments, metamorphosed sediments and intrusive.~ and the alluvia of the Condamine River=
TERTIARY BASALTS. The Tertiary basalts form a flat cap overlying the Mesozoic sediments which are gently folded and form an anticline in the area. Basalt covers the majority of the undulating hilly land within the area. The basalts yield water suitable for stock in most areas and for irrigation in the semi-circular area which extends to the north and south of Toowoomba and South-west to Fittswortho
The water is usually contained in more than one permeable horizon within the basalt= The permeable horizons are the fractured tops of lava flows° Supplies are obtained at depths to 90 m. The area around Westbroo~ Creek yields supplies up to 91 m3 per hour, Water from the basalt is usually suitable for most agricultural and stock purposes. It is often unsuitable for domestic use because of extreme hardness=
MESOZOIC SEDIMENTS. The Mesozoic sediments consist of the Marburg Sandstones and the Walloon C(~ Measures= The Marburg formation outcrops largely in the south-west and the north, while the Walloon Coal Measu outcrop over a much wider area and usual ly appear immediately beneath the Tertiary basalts=
1 Hydrological units are those groups of "rocks" which have similar waterbearing characteristics= The units of include several distinct geological formations° 7 Marburg Sandstones are round in the north-west and south-west of the area Yields of up to 23 m3 per hour have been recorded. Water in this formation ~s of variable quantity and quality and is only useful for stock water supplies.
Yields are generally poorT2.3 m 3 per hour) but quantities of 13.6 rn3 per hour have been recorded, Water in this formation is of poor quality and ~s only useful for stock supplies
METAMORPHOSED SEDIMENTS AND INTRUSIVES. The Mesozoic igneous intrusives, pre-Mesozoic sediments and volvsnics occur in the south of the area These rocks have been folded, faulted and thermally metamorphosed=
This hydrological unit occurs in the south of the area Supplies from this unit are generally low and the water is usually suitable for stock and domestic use
CONDAMINE RIVER ALLUVIA. The Condamme River alluviaoconsists of two types of deposits; one composed of sand, siltand clay alluvia with manor gravel, probably of lacustrine origin and the other on sand with some minor gravel and silt of alluvial origin,
This hydrological unit may be sub-divided into the sections, above and below Ellangowan,
Upstream of Ellangowan irrigation supplies are not easy to locate, The Irrigation and Water Supply Commission (I.W.S. and C.) have a success rate of approximately one useful irrigation bore in every six drilled= A useful irrigation bore is one which yields greater than 13.6 m3,*hr
Depth of the alluvium varies but seldom reaches 30 m Bores are drilled to depths of between 15 and 35 m with water levels generally from 3 to 6 metres below ground level Supplies vary from 13.6 m3/hr to 68 m3,hr The water is usually of good quality and useful for most purposes with total dissolved solids generally less than 1000 ppm.
Downstream of Ellangowan to Macallster (west of Dalby) supplies are generally more reliable, However, experience of private drilling, as well as that of the I W.S. and C_, has shown that several attempts may be required to fred a satisfactorily yielding irrigation bore
Generally, the depths of irrigation bores range from 30 to 60 m with water levels generally standing within a range of 12 to 18 metres below ground level.
Large supplies up to 18.2 m3 hr have been located between Dalby and Macalister at depths in excess of 90 metres° Water quality here is marginal for irrigation and some corrosion problems of casings and pumps have been observed, Groundwater of the downstream section is generally of suitable quality for ~rrigation where adequate supplies are obtainedo West of the Condamine River, between Cecil Plains and Dalby, a high proportion of sodium and bicarbonate ions renders the water unsuitable for irrigation
Within the main irrigation area (Brookstead-Norwin) it is quite common for bores to encounter several aquifers before reaching the bottom of the alluvium~ Over extensive areas there as a layer of dry sand and gravel with saturated layers above and below= In some areas, where this layer reaches deeper underground, the lower part is saturated° Water level observation pipes have been installed in this upper saturated aquifer as well as the lower aquifers. There is evidence to suggest that there is a ready movement of water between the aquifers.
Throughout the main ~rr~getion area, the concentration of total dissolved solids m underground water ranges from 200 to 1000 ppm On the margin of the main irrigation area the concentration rapidly rises from 1000 ppm to over 2000 ppm, over distances of about one k~lometre= Ground water containing less than 300 ppm of dissolved solids, is generally confined to a narrow strip adjacent to the Condamine River
In the vicinity of Oalby water quality varies with depth. The lower aquifers are considered more suitable for irrigation than the upper aquifers. Levels of total dissolved solids with depth are given in Table 8o
TABLE 8
TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS IN WATERS FROM BORE NEAR DALEIY
Depth (metres) Total Dissolved Solids (ppm) 10o6 to t2.8 520 18.9 to 24.2 835 33.6 to 36.6 1 902 49.'7 to 50.3 1 81 6 51 .0 to 54.3 1 816 65.6 to 72.0 1056 90.0 to 93.6 570 4.3.2 Use of Underground Water
The increase m use of underground water over the 12 year period 1959 to 1971, was about 40°,0 compound I: annum° The area irrigated from underground water supplies ~n the shires of Wambo, Jondaryan, Pittsworth and Millmerren in 1970/71 was 21 250 hectares
The removal of water from bores has had the effect of depressing the ground water levels. The rate of dec during recent years has ranged from less than 0.3 m per annum to approximately 1.2 m per annum m the Norwin are where extensive use of underground water has been made.
In one observation bore, a decline of 9.5 m was measured in November 1 970. Heavy summer rainfall and fh during late 1970 and early 1971 had only replaced a volume of water approximately equal to that used from April to November 1 970
4.3.2.1 Estimation of long term annual yield
As the long term annual yield must equal the average long term rate of recharge of the ground water storag a quantitative assessment of the average rate of recharge is essential in the determination of annual yield:
Of the sources available for natural recharge, direct percolation of rainfall through the soil mass to the de aquifers may be of little significance Down valley flow through the aquifers from tributary alluvia contributes to recharge, but this inflow to the main irrigation area cannot be relied on for recharge :n the future. Continued expel of ground water development In the alluvia of the upper tributary streams may ultimately reduce the down valley fl insignificant proportions° The most reliable source for recharge is from continuous low flow conditions or flood fh in the streams passing through the area
The average annual rainfall from 1964 to 1969 was virtually the same as the 100 year annual average from to 1969o Studies of recharge conditions prevailing over th~s six year period indicate the following:-
({) The estimated long term annual yield of ground water from the main irrigation area varies from 12.4 x 106 m3 to 18.6 x 106 m3
(ii) The present use of ground water far exceeds the rate at which ~t is being replaced
{lii) The Condamine River is the greatest single source of recharge of the ground water storage°
To prevent further deterioration of the underground water supply, the Irrigation and Water Supply Commissi are refusing all new applications for irrigation bores in the main irrigation area
5. GEOLOGY
5.1 INTRODUCTION Geological mapping has been carried out by Whitehouse (1952 unpublished), Hill and Tweedale (1 955), McTaggart (1963), Stevens (1969) and Bureau of Mineral Resources~ Reference has also been made to the geology of the area in the reports of Skerrrnn and Allen (1952.), Thompson and Beckmann (1969}, Northcote (1966) and Isbell etal. (1967).
5.2 GEOLOGICAL SEQUENCE
5.2.1 Palaeozoic Era
An absence of fossils has made difficult an understanding of the early Palaeozoic history of Eastern Queensland° The Tasman Geosyncline is thought to have originated in the Lower Palaeozoic° Marine deposition was taking place throughout its entire length during this period. In Central and Southern Queensland, large thicknesses of unfosslliferous greywackes and quartzltes (eog, Neranleigh-Fernvale Group) ocour~ These are thought to be of Silurian age and to represent the deep water sediments of the geosyncline~ Similar rocks are exposed in the Warwick-tnglewood district (Hill and Maxwell 1967).
Folded Devonian marine sediments of the Silverwood Group, and down-faulted blocks of marine and freshw Permian sediments of the Wildash Group, outcrop south of Warwick: Further to the south, the Devonian rocks have intruded by Late Permian granite which is the northern margin of the New England Batholith (Stevens 1965).
As a result of increasing instability during the latter part of the Permian and early Triassic the whole eas region was uplifted and marine deposition ceased; The earth movements resulted in the formation of the Texas Hi to the south and the Yarraman Block to the north of the region= These elevated regions largely formed the source material for the later Mesozoic sediments (Hill and Maxwell 1967).
5.2.2 Mesozoic Era
During the early Mesozo=c era, sedimentation in Queensland was entirely terrestrial, no marine deposits having been recognised~
Whitehouse (1955) recognised two Jurassic formations,, These were the Marburg Sandstones and the Walloc Coal Measures° Areas formerly mapped as the Bundambe Group are now included within the Marburg Sandstones-
9 These Mesozoic sediments overlie the Palaeozoic rocks in the vicinity of Inglewood and Warwick. North from Toowoomba these sediments outcrop from below the Tertiary basalts (Hill and Denmead 1960)o The Welloon Coal Measures grade into the In]une Creek Group to the west Coal occurs throughout this forrr~tion and has been mined at Kingsthorpe, Oakey, Acland, A~lora, Clifton, Tsnnymorel, Warra and Injune (Hill and Maxwell 1967).
5.2.3 Cainozoic Era
The main features of this era are the Tertiary basalt extrusives which now form the Greet Dividing Range from the Bunya Mountains, south to the New South Wales border The basalt flows also extended along several subsidiary ranges east of the divide It spread out to the west of the Great Divide forming the basaltic uplands portion of the Darling Downs.
Whitehouse (1955) has suggested three major centres of extrusion of the besalts, one at the Bunya Mountains, one centred on Toowoombe and one centred east of Warwick near Cunningham's Gap. Areas of trachyte occur around Cooby Creek and at Witson's Peak (Stevens 1 969),
A feature of the basalts near Toowoombo as that many of them have been letaritized~ The latertte profile near Toowoomha approaches a thickness of 31 m (Connah and Hubble, t 960).
Much speculation has been made on the age of basalts such as Mt. Kynoch, which are higher than the surrounding laterites Whitehouse (1955) has postulated both pre-and post- laterite basatts. Webb, Stevens and McDouOall (1967) have cast doubt on this theory. Evidence suggests that laterltlzation had commenced before the outpouring of the lower Miocene larvas and continued afterwards, perhaps during the Miocene and Pliocene periods. Stevens (1969) takes the view that the basalts are not post-Miocene and that the laterite has formed over a long period in broad valleys cut from the basaltic terrain
Erosion of the basalt, laterite and Mesozoic sediments has ~ed to the formation of alluvia on the flood plains of the Condamine River These alluvia are very extensive =n the central portion of the area Thompson and Beckmann (1959) consider that there was more than one period of deposition of sediments in this area= It appears that the younger and more extensive of these sediments were derived almost exclusively from basalt. The older sedqments which ere found at slightly higher elevatwon, appear to consist of materials of mixed basaltic and sedimentary origin
Sedimentation was widespread in the Great Artesian Basin during the Catnozoic= Sediments consist of fresh- water sandstones, mudstones and conglomerates (Whitehouse 1955). Little of these sediments occur in the survey area.
6. VEGETATION
6.1 INTRODUCTION
Plant species and communities occurring within the survey area were described by Skerrnan et el. (1951, unpublished], whi le vegetation in the Toowoombe and Kurrawa areas was described by Thompson and ~=Jeckmann (1959) and Beckmann and Thompson (1960). Vegetation has also been classified in the Jandowae and Miles areas by Dawson (1 972). Several of the communities recognised and described during these latter surveys were observed in the study area°
The natural vegetation over much of the area has been cleared for arable agriculture. The remaining areas of forest country have been changed considerably by man's activit=es~ Forest Reserves are largely undisturbed, although the Pechey State Forest has been cleared and planted to more productive timber species. Plant communities not modified by man are now difficult to find
Classification of the vegetation was based on the structural forms described by Specht (1971). Nine broad communities were recognisedo The species and formations associated with each land system and its component land units are I~sted in Appendix I Only the dominant trees, shrubs and, in some cases, grasses were recorded. In most cases types of ground flora was not recorded° Observations from undisturbed and roadside communities were used to complete a vegetation picture or the area
The more common plant species occurring in the area are listed in Appendix IV Table 9 indicates the distribution of the plant communities w~thin the land systems The structural forms, dominant species and distribution of the major communities are listed in Table 10
6.2 THE PLANT COMMUNITIES
6.2.1 Blue Grass Grassland
This community occurs mainly in the self-mulchsnq black earths in the central and western portions of the area. It occurs in a broad belt from Cecil Plains to Jondaryan. Small areas occur north of Dalby and throughout the basaltic country to the east. Queensland blue grass (Dichanthium serlceum) is the dominant plant species. This species has largely been removed by man's activities, particularly cultivation.
6.2.2 Mountain Coolibah Woodland to Shrubby Woodland
This community occurs throughout the basaltic country and Is a feature of the Westbrook Lend System. Mountain coolibah (Eucalyptus orgadophtla) is the dominant species with wilga (Gel/era parviflora) often forming the associated shrubby layer. Many species are associated with this community. On the mountainous areas along the Greet Oivid,ng Range, grey box (Eucalyptus microcarpa), grey gum (Eucalyptus major), yellow box (Eucalyptus melliodora), and narrow-leaved ironbark (Eucalyptus crebra) are commonly found. "Softwood scrub ''1 species clothe
1 "Softwood scrub" is a term used extensively throughout Queensland to cover a range of structural formations from scrub to layered closed forest with emergentso 10 many of the steeper hill-tops and knolls Narrow-leaved ironbark and silver-leaved ironbark (Eucalyptus metano~ grow on the less steep slopes, with Queensland blue gum fEuca/yptus tereticornis) and rough-barked appte (Angophora f/oribunda ) growing a long the drainage t ines~
Soils occupied by this community vary greatly ~n type and depth, the most common being shallow to moderately deep (30-60 ¢ms~, often stony, self-mulching black earths° Much of this community has been cleared and the land is under cultivation
6.2.3 Poplar Box, Grassy Open Woodland to Woodland
Extensive areas of this community occur east of Mi;Imerran, around Brookstead, east of Dalby and on mu of the old alluvia along valley floors Poplar box (Eucalyptus popu/nea) is the dominant species present while wilga, yarran (Acacia omatophyl/a) and boonaree (Heterodendron o/eifo/ium) are often present as understorey sp,
So= Is vary from grey clays around Dalby and Brookstead to texture contrast soils east of Millmerreno Man the grey clays, formerly supporting a poplar box community, have been cleared and cultivated in recent years
6.2.4 Brigalow-Belah Open Forest to Layered Open Forest
Brtgalow-belah forests are found around Emu Vale in the south and around Acland, Moola and Bell in the Another area occurs to the south-west of Mitlmerran and extends outside the area.
Brlgalow (Acacia harpophylla) and belah (Casuar/na crtstata) are the dominant species with wilga as the dominant understorey spec~es, " Softwood scrub"assoc~ated with this commun=ty occurs on the basalt and sand.¢ knolls throughout the area° Poplar box, grey box, black tea-tree (Me/aleuca lanceolata) yarran and myall (Acaci~ pendula) are assoc=ated on the lower areas of this community= Moderately deep grey clays predominate.
Belah ~s more prevalent on texture-contrast soils
Extensive clearing of these communities for cropping has occurred and little of the natural community rel Considerable over-clearing has resulted in serious erosion°
6.2.5 Layered Open Forest of Sydney Blue Gum, Tallowwood, Stringybark and Bloodwood
Layered open forests occur from Tcowoomba north to Pechey. Dominant species are Sydney blue gum (Eucalyptus sa/igna), tallowwood (Eucalyptus microcorys), red bloodwood (Eucalyptus intermedia) white strmg~ (Eucalyptus eugenioidesL stringybark peppermint (Eucalyptus andrewsii), blackbutt (Eucalyptus pi/u/aris), brusl (Tristania conferta) and black she-,oak (Casuarina /ittora/ib). A wattle (Acacia spp.) understorey is common Thi vegetation occurs principally on lateritic red earths, which vary in depth.
Portions of this community have been cleared and the land cultwated Improved pastures for dairy and Ix production are grown throughout the area=
A large section, to the north, has been cleared for forestry purposes.
6.2.6 River Red Gum and Queensland Blue Gum Frtnging Forests
This is usually a minor community associated with the Condamme River and its main tributarieso River r gum (Eucalyptus camaldu/ensis) and Queensland blue gum are the dominant species with belalie (Acacia stenop a common associated species Weep=ng willows (Salix babylonica) have become established along several of the main tributaries. Moreton Bay ash (Eucalyptus tessel/aris), rough-barked apple and poplar box are found associa with this community on many of the levees and swales associated with the main river channel, This community ¢ on a wide range of different so=l types
Many of the larger areas have been cleared and cultivated Numerous examples of stream bank instabilit~j occur° Further clearing should be restricted and many cleared areas revegetatedo
6.2.7 Layered Open Forest to Shrubby Woodland of Ironbacks, Grey BOx, Spotted Gum, Angophoras and Wattles
This community is found on the sandstone areas In the v=cinity of Warwick in the south and Goombungee the north= The species vary considerably w=th narrow-leaved ironberk, grey box, rusty gum (Angophora costata) a bull oak (Casuarma luehmannJi) being the most prevalent° Associated species of cypress pine (Callitrls co/umel (Callitris endlicheri), fuzzy box (Eucalyptus conical tumble-down gum (Eucalyptus dealbata), grey ironbark (Eucalyptus drepanophylla) and rough-barked apple occur throughout the area. Spotted gum (Eucalyptus maculat~ occurs on some of the steeper lithosols, Wattles, dogwood (Jacksonia scoparia) and thready-bark oak (Casuarin~ mophloia) occur as understorey species=
Dominant soils associated with this community are hard-setting, texture-contrast soilso Lithosols occur q many of the steeper stony areas.
Large areas of the lower sloping country supporting this community, have been cleared or partial ly clear( to encourage the improvement of native pastures Cultivat=on ts carried out to a limited extent on the deeper soil throughout the area°
8.2.8 Layered Open Forest of Ironbark, Grey BOx, New England Blsckbutt, Yellow BOx and Blakely's Red Gum
This commun,ty ~s found distributed throughout the granite country in the south of the area=
11 TABLE 9
DISTRIBUTION OF PLANT COMMUNITIES
WITHIN LAND SYSTEMS
No. Communities Land System=
1 B I uegrass grass land J i ml0our
2 Mounta i n cool Jba 13 wood land to s/lrubby wood land Wee tbrook
3 Poplar box grassy open wood land to woodland Oakey, Brooks teed, Pal by, Mi I l merren
4 Brigalow - belah open forest to layered open forest Emu Vale, Moola. Bell. Acland, Rocky Creek
5 Sydney blue gum, tailowwood, stringybark and Toowoomba bloodwood, tayered open forest
6 River red gum and Queensland blue gum fringing Tipton. Allora forest
7 Ironbark, grey box, angophoras, spotted gum and Warwick, Goombungee, Leyburn wattles, layered open forest to shrubby woodland
8 tronberk, grey box. New England blackbutt, yellow Greymare box and Blakely"s red gum, layered open forest
9 Ironbark, grey box. yellow box layered open forest Palgrave to open forest
The dominant specmes of this community are New England blackbutt, New England peppermint (Eucalyptus nova-angHca), Blakely's red gum (Eucalyptus blakelyi) and narrow-leaved ironberk. On the broad hills and sloping areas, narrow-leaved ironl:)ark with some bull oak, Blakely's red gum. yellow box and rusty gum are more common= Fuzzy box, yellow box, rough-barked apple and poplar box occur more commonly along the drainage lines. Other species associated with this community are narrow-leaved grey gum,(Eucalyptus seeena), white box (Eucalyptus albens), grey box and blackboy (Xanthorrhoea spp=)o Wattles occur as an understorey species°
Many of the less steep areas have been cleared to improve native pasture growth= Soils associated with this community vary from shallow, uniform, coarse sands to texture-contrast soils of moderate depth. Stone fruit are grown on the deeper sands and texture-contrast SOkIS along the Herries Range~
6.2.9 Layered Open Forest to Open Forest of Ironbark, Grey Box and Yellow Box
This community occurs on the hilly to deeply dissected traprock areas to the south° Dominant species are narrow-leaved ironbark, grey box and yellow box° Lesser amounts of tumble-down gum, dusky-leaved ironbark (Eucalyptus nubile), Caley's ironbark (Eucalyptus caleyi), rough-barked apple, rusty gum and cypress pine occur as associated species°
The majority of this community occurs on shallow, often stony, texture-contrast soils of low fertility=
Large areas of this community have been cleared to Jmprove native pasture growth. Improved pastures, particularly lucerne, have also been planted
Excessive clearing associated w~th over-grazing is leading to serious erosion of many of the soils associated with this community.
7. SOl LS
7.1 INTRODUCTION
Soil surveys have been carried out and reported upon by Skerman and Allen (1952), Thompson and Beckmann (1 959), Beckmann and Thompson (1 960), Northoote (1966) and Isbel let al. (t 967)
Dawson (1972) described the soils of the Jandowae and Miles areas. While many of the soils described by Dawson are similar to those of the Eastern Downs area, different soil series names were used to avoid confusion,
Stace et a1.(1968) selected a number of representative profiles from the Eastern Downs for inclusion in the Handbook of Australian Soils,
7.2 SOIL CLASSIFICATION
Soi Is were classi fied into princi pa I profi le forms based on (Northcote 1971 ) and great sol I groups as descri bed by (Stace et al. 1968). The soils were grouped on the basis of similar profile characteristics (Soil Series).
12 TABLE 1 0 STRUCTURAL FORMS, DOMINANT SPECIES AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE MAJOR COMMUNITIES
., L, Community Dominant Species Distribution Blue grass grassland Queenstard blue grass, natwe oat Occurs in association with the deep, dark, grass ~Themeda avenacea), tall ch~oris cracking clay soils of the alluvial plains ir (Chtoris ventrioosa), rat's tail grass the western portion of the area~ ~'Sporobo/us e/ongatus ) and herbage species
Mountain coolibah Mountain coolibah, with areas of narrow- Occurs in association with the hilly to sub woodland to shrubDy leaved =ronbark and silver-leaved iron- mountainous area along the eastern fringe woodland bark Areas of "softwood scrub", and the undulating to flat-topped ridges we= Queensland blue gum and rough-I:~rked of Toowoomba, Soils are predominantly she apple~ to moderately deep, grey and grey brown ci;
Poplar box grassy Poplar box w~th scattered wilga, yarran Occurs surrounding Oakey, Dalby, BrookstE open woodland to and boonaree° Grasses are mainly Oh~otis and Millmerran on pla=ns to slightly undule woodland spp~ and pi tted blue grass (Bothriochtoa areas Soils are predominantly deep~ dark g decipiens), clays or red-brown texture-contrast so~ls.
BrJgalow-belah open Brlgalow, belah, wllga with scattered Occurs associated with the undulating to forest to layered poplar box, grey box, yarran, myall and moderately hilly areas of shallow to moderE open forest " softwood scrub" areas~ Grasses are deep so=Is. So~ls are grey and brown Ioams predominantly brigalow grass clay Ioams to heavy grey clays in lower ape (Paspalidium caespifosum) and Typical areas are 5ocated around Moola. Er (Chloris spp). Vale and Acland
Sydney blue gum, Sydney blue gum, tallowwood, red blood- Occurs associated w=th the undulating platl tallowwood, stringy- wood, wh=te stringybark, stringybark and plateau remnants of lateritized basalts bark and bloodwood peppermrnt, blackbutt, black she-oak extending from Toowoomba north along the layered open forest and a wattle understorey Predominant range to Pechey0 Soils vary from shallow tc grasses are Themeda spp~ and paspelum deep, frtable, highly permeable lateritic tee (Paspatum dilataturn), earths
River red gum and Rwer red gum, Queensland blue gum, Occurs associated with the levees and swa Queensland blue belalie with scattered rough-barked of the Condamine River and alluvial plains gum fringing forests apple, Moreton Bay ash and weeping associated with =ts tributaries. Soils are willow° Associated areas of poplar dominantly deep, dark clays with local box occur° Dominant grasses are sandier areas= Queensland blue grass, forest blue grass (Bothrioch/oa bladhii) and sedges (Cyperus sppJ.
Ironbark, angophora. Narrow-leaved ironbark, grey ironbark, Occurs on the low to moderately high hills grey box, spotted gum grey box, rusty gum, bull oak with have steep slopes and scarps in the sandst and wattles, layered scattered cypress pine, fuzzy box, areas around Warwick and Goombungee~ So= open forest to shrubby tumble-down gum and rough-barked vary from shallow to moderately deep yello, woodland apple= Grasses ~nclude wire grasses yellowish-brown texture-contrast soils (Aristida spp.) and pitted blue grass.
Ironbark, grey box, Narrow-leaved ~ronbark, grey box, New Occurs on the undulating to steep hilly lan, New Engtand black= England blackbutt, Blakely's red gum, the granite country in the south of the area butt, yellow box and New England peppermint and rusty gum Soils vary from sandy lithosots to moderate Blakely s red gum, with scattered bull oak. yellow box, deep, grey, sandy teams and sandal I=reclue layered open forest fuzzy box and rough-barked apple w=th rock outcrops are common wattles as an understorey
Ironbark, grey box Narrow-leaved =ronbark. grey box and Occurs associated with the undulat=ng to d, and yellow box, yel low box with areas of tumble-down dissected traprock areas in the south and s layered open forest gum, dusky-leaved =ronbark, Caley's west of the area. Rock outcrops and stone ironbark, rough-barked apple, spotted frequently occur= Soils vary from loamy gum and a wattle understorey~ Grasses l ithosols grading into moderately deep grey include, wa I laby grass (Danthon/a spp.), brown texture--contras t sol Is love grass (Eragrostis spp°) wire grass and pitted blue grass~
13 The soil series were named after the locality where they were first desoribed~ The appropriate so=l series names, established by Thompson and Beckmann (1959) and Beckmann and Thompson (1960), were used wherever possible
7.3 SOIL ANALYSIS
Considerable information on the chemical characteristics of the principal soils was available for much of the areal Additional soil samples from 14 representative sites were collected to provide additional analytical data for the region° Analyt,cal data for these sites are summer,sed in Appendix V~
An attempt was made to visually assess the salinity and nutrient status of soils not analysed~ Factors ,nfluencing the use of the various soil series are given in Table 11.
7.4 THE SOILS
Sixty-three" soil series were reoognised in the area= Appendix Vl provides a summary of principal characteristics of the soil series and associated vegetation= An estimate of the area of each series is also given in this appandix~
Soils are considered on the basis of their great sell groups in sections 7.4.1 to 7.4.8 inclusive.
7.4.1 Lithosols
These soils are usually shallow, often stony and are most likely to occur in the hilly areas= The Knoll and Kenmuir soil series are associated with the basaltic hills, while the Silverwood, Bony, Wattle-Glen and Herries soil series are associated with the granite, traprock and sandstone areas~ The Ken,muir soil series may in some cases be developed for the establishment of improved sown pastures These so, Is generally cannot be economically developed for arable agriculture
7.4.2 Siliceous Sands
Siliceous sands occur to a limited extent throughout the area mainly associated with the sands tones ~ The Drome soil series is class,fled in this great soil group These soils are infertile and have little use for agriculture. Some of the more extensive areas may be considered as a source of sand for building and industrial purposes
7.4.3 Grey, Brown and Red Clays
Many of these soils are associated with the brigalow°belah communities° The Gate. Edgefield, Jingarry, Gladfield and Mailing soil series are members of this great soil group~ These soils are fertile and have been extensively cleared for cropping°
The Cecilvale soil series is associated with the old alluvial plains° These soils originally supported a poplar box open woodland, They are moderately fertile and have been extensively cleared for cultivation= Surface sealing is sometimes a problem resulting in impaired infiltration and poor germination of small seeds.
The Cunningham soil series is assoc,ated with the alluvial flats which may be seasonally waterlogged= These soils should not be cultivated, They are useful as grazing lands;
7,4.4 Black Earths
The black earths are highly fertile and are associated with the alluvial plains and low sloping hills° They are the most ,mportant agricultural soils in the region°
Soils of the Beauaraba and Purrawunda aeries are shallow to moderately deep and are found on the slopes of the basalt h ills~ They are very fertile and extensively cultiva ted. The Junabee and Danderoo sol Is are moderately fertile and are generally suitable for cropping° Surface sealing may be a problem with the Junabee soils.
Seedling emergence problems are experienced with the coarse-structured Mywybilla soils° These soils are associated with the alluvial plains and are extensively cultivated for summer and winter grain crops;
The Waco and Norillee soil series are usually associated with the flat alluvial plains. These are well structured and highly fertile and are used extensively for grain cropping°
The Anchorfield and Condamine soil series are associated with the Condamine River° These soils are subject to periodic flooding and some areas may be waterlogged for tong periods. The majority of these soils are very fertile and are used extensively for agriculture.
7.4.5 Rendzinas
small areas of Rendzins soils occur in the study area° The Yargullen soil series occurs as scattered pockets throughout the alluvial plains= These also occur associated with the upland drainage lines of the basaltic country~ These shallow soils are very alkaline and are used for grain and grazing crops.
7.4.6 Solenetz, Soledized Solonetz, Solodi¢ and SoloIh Soils
These four great soil groups are represented by a large number of texture-contrast soils in the region° For convenience, they are treated collectively and subdivided on the basis of soil depth, and colour of the B horizon. These features may be used to differentiate the major agricultural soils.
14 7.4.6.1 Moderately deep to deep texture-contrast soils with yellow grey clayey subsoils
These soils are herd-setting, difficult to cultivate and are prone to erosion Most of these so, is are suitabl for pasture production
The Leyburn soil series ~s moderately fertile and deep and is associated with slightly elevated gently slol: plain areas° The Killarney soil series is found associated with the alluvial valleys of the Allots land system. The Morgan, Gully and Ironpot soil series are found associated with drainage lines~ They have a .moderate fertility star and are used to a limited extent for cropping The Wash and Douglas so~l series are found on middle and lower SlOl These soils have a low to moderate fertility status and are sometimes used for cultivation
7.4.6.2 Moderately deep to deep texture-contrast soils with dark grey clayey subsoils
These soils usually have a hard-setting surface and are best suited to pasture production~
The Haslemere soil series is deep with a moderate fertility and is associated with slightly elevated areas the alluvial plains It is frequently cropped as it occurs as small areas within larger areas of more arable soils= Tt Canal, M=ddte and Gomaren soil series are assoceated with drainage lines They have a low to moderate fertility= "1 Moola and Yarranlea soil series are found on long slopes and broad ridges= They are moderately fertile soils and a extensively cropped They are susceptible to both wind and water erosion if finely cultivated The Walker soil seri Is found on mid and lower slopes° it has a low to moderate fertility status and is susceptible to both wind and ware erosion if cultivated;
7.4.6.3 Moderately deep to deep texture-contrast-soils with red clayey subsoils
The Allan soil series is found on mid and lower slopes of the Warwick land system= It has a hard-setting SL and low to moderate fertility status. It ~s rarely cultivated as it ~s more suited to pasture production
7.4.6.4 Shallow to moderately deep texture-contrast soils with yellow grey clayey subsoils
These soils are usuaily associated with the ridges and hill-tops in the forest areas They are frequently ha setting soils with a low fertility status and are of limited agricultural importance°
The Hendon, Goombungee and Thane soil series occur on upper slopes= They are shallow soils of low fertii and often contain rock outcrops= These soils should not be cleared of timber~ The Sugarloaf, Stock, Seven and Turf soil series also occur on sloping areas or broad hill-tops~ The,/ are shallow soils of tow fertility Rock outcrops frequently occur in the Stock and Seven soil series These soils are used for native pastures, although improved pastures are sometimes grown
7.4.8.5 Shallow to moderately deep texture-contrast soils with dark clayey subsoils
The Talgai and Emlyn soil series occur on the upper slopes of the forest areas° They frequently contain st( outcrops; They are shallow and of low fertility and should not be cleared or cultivated° Erosion by water will be a problem if plant cover is removed from these soils=
7.4.7 Red Brown Earths
Red brown earths contain the Oakey and Norbell soil serleso The Oakey series is associated with the popla box open woodland to the west of Oakeyo The soils in this series are moderately fertile and are readily cultivated when moist Susceptibility to wind erosion when cultivated and a hard-setting surface, are problems which restrict their agricultural use
The Norbell soil series occurs in the vicinity of Bell It supports a belah and wilge, "softwood scrub" community These soils are extensively cultivated and are susceptible to both wind and water eros=on This soil series =s very suitable for improved pastures
7.4.8 Red Earths
Under this heading, soils with characteristics of red earths and structured red earths (krasnozems) are described.
The red earths are found associated with the lateritic plateau and plateau remnants from Toowooml0e north to Pechey, as well as in small pocket areas within the Westbrook land system
Associated with the Toowoomba plateau are the Nelson, Ruthven, Middle Ridge, Gabbinber, Toowoombe, Drayton and Kynock soil series~
The Nelson soil series is found along drainage lines and should not be cultivated The Ruthven and Middle Ridge soil series occur on upper slopes and broad hills They are suitable for improved pastures and cropping. Responses are obtained from fertilizer applioations~ particularly for phosphorus: Erosion control measures are necessary on these soils as they occur on slopes= The Drayton, Kynock, Toowoomba and Gabbinbar soil series are found on lower slopes and the flat crest of the range. They are moderately deep to deep soils of moderate fertility= If cultivated, erosion control measures and fertilizer applications ere required.
The Southbrook soil series is associated with many of the basalt hi I Is within the Westbrook land system. it is a shallow soil of moderate fertility and has frequent surface stone and should not be cultivated=
15 The Burton soil series is found within the Westbrook land system on m~d and lower slopes° It is of moderate to low fertility and is susceptible to both wind and water erosion when cultivated= This soil is cropped extensively although many of the areas would be more suitable for Improved pastures
The sol Is of the reg¢on respond to the application of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers. The economics of the use of fertilizer should be further examined,
TABLE 11
FACTORS INFLUENCING USE OF THE SOIL SERIES
Great Soil Group Soil Series Chemical Factors Physical Factors Remarks
Lithosols Kenmulr Moderate fertility Frequently stony° Suitabte for limited Knoll status, responds to Shallow depth limits pasture improvement. sulphur and nitrogen water holding Should not be cleared fertl I izers capaci ty. or cu I ti vated=
Silverwood Low fertility status Often stony= Shallow Suitable for native Bony depth limits water pastures and forest Wattle-Glen hold=ng capacity= Not economic to Herries ferti I ize crops
Siliceous Sands Drome Low fertility status. High infiltration rate Usually occurs in and low water holding small areas and is capacity best left in its natural state. Not economic to fertilize crops.
Grey, Brown Cec=lvale Moderate fertility Surface tends to seal, Suitable for grain and and Red Cunnmgham status, responds to moderate water holding grazing crops, except Clays phosphorus and capacity. Deep soils for seasonally water- nitrogen fertilizers_, roay be difficult to logged areas_ cultivate.
Mailing Moderate to high Moderately deep to Suitable for grain and Gladfield fertilrty status, deep so~ls with a grazing crops° Pastures J i ngarry responds to n i trogen h =gh water hold =ng on steeper areas. Sol I Edgefield and phosphorus capacity= Usually conservation measures Gate fertilizers, easily cultivated° are needed on sloping areas of cultivated land to prevent soil erosion.
Black Earths Beauaraba High fertilrty status, Shallow to moderately Suitable for grain and Purrawunda responds to phosphorus deep soil. Depth limits grazing crops although Junabee and nitrogen fertilizers water holding capacity° depth limits use in some after prolonged cropping. Easily cultivated, cases= Soil conservation measures are necessary on sloping land=
Norillee High fertility status, Deep soils with high Suitable for grain Irving responds to nitrogen water holding capacity, cropping, pastures and Danderoo and phosphorus Readily cultivated, fodder crops. fertilizers after continuous cultivatlono
Waco High fertility status, Deep soils= High water Suitable for permanent responds to nitrogen holding caDacity, cultivation for grain fertilizer after Easily cultivated~ crops° Often subiect continuous cropping to overflow flooding°
Mywybilta High fertility status, Deep soils with a high Suitable for permanent responds to nitrogen water holding capacity= cultivation for grain and phosphorus after Coarse structured crops. Germination continued cultivatlon, surface° Difficult and emergence problems to cu I t~vate= encountered with srnal I seeds=
16 TABLE 11 (Continued)
Greal Soil Group Soil Series Chemical Factors Physical Factora Remarks Rendzina Yargulten Moderate to high Shallow soits with a Suitable for grain fertility status, moderate water holding and natural or imp Very alkaline soils, capacity Readily pastures~ Phosphorus and z i nc cult ivated deficiencies occur
Sotonetz, Solod ised Solonetz, Solod ic and Soloth Soils
Ley burn Moderate fert= t i ty Moderate ly deep sol Is Gr~z i ng crops and Moderately deep to Killarney status, responds to w~th moderate water impreved p~stures deep, hard-setting Morgan nitrogen and holding capacity, may be. grown. ,~,~e surface with yellow- Gully phosphorus Hard-setting, readily good ma~,ageme~t grey clayey subsoils Ironpot fertilizers cultivated when roD=St, techniques. Wash Douglas
Haslemere Low to moderate Moderately deep soils. Sinai areas cul~i~ Canal f~rtility status. Frequently t~rd-setting= but more suitabte Moderately deep to Middle Low to moderate water improved pasture~ deep, texture- Gornaren holding capacity contrast soils with Cultivation is difficult dark clayey subsoils Moola Moderate fertility Moderately deep soils= Suitable for cropD Yarranlea status, respond to Moderate water holding and improved pas~ Walker nitrogen and capacity Easily Susceptible to wil phosphorus ct: I t i vated, and water eros i on fertplizers~ cu;tivated Soil c= ation measures ar necessary to prey soil Ioss~
Moderately deep to A I lan Low to moderate Moderate sol I depth Rare ly cu I t=va ted deep soils with red fertility status= with moderate water suitable for pastu clayey subsoi Is hold i ng capaci ty= producti on Hard-setting.
Hendon Low fertility status Shallow, stony hard- Not suitable for Goombungee setting soils~ Low cultivation. Sorls Shallow to moderate- Thane water holding contain frequent Iy deep soils with capacity outcrops° Not ecc yel low-grey clayey to rerti Iize crops subsoils Ridge Low fertility status Shallow soils with Not suitable for Sugarloaf hard-setting surfaces° cultivation Used Stock Low water holding mainly for grazim Seven capacity~ native and impro~ Turner pastures= Some rc areas. Not econo~ fertilize crops~
Shallow to moderate- Talgai Low fertility status Shallow so~ls with Not suitable for ly deep soils with Emlyn low water holding cultivation, shou dark clayey subsoils capacity,, be cleared. Freqt contain rock cute Not economic to ferti I ize crops ;
Red Brown Earths Oakey Moderate fertility, Deep soi I So Easily Used for graz i ng Norbell responds to worked when moist, and improved pa~= phosphorus tend to work very with limited grail fertilizers, fine when dry. production° SubiE wind erosion.
Fluthven Moderately fertile, Moderately deep to Suitable for smal Middle Ridge responds to deep solls~ Easily and forestry. Sus Gabbinbar nitrogen and worked° to erosion by wir Toowoomba phosphorus water° Needs a h fertitizers~ level of managen Red Earths Drayton Moderately fertile, Moderately deep Suitable for sn'~l Kynoch responds to soils with good and pastures~ Ne Nelson nitrogen and physical high level of mar phosphorus propert ies° ferti I izerso Burton Moderate to low Shallow to moderate- Suitable for grair Southbrook fertility, responds ly deep soils° grazing crops an to nitrogen and Easily worked, pastures Susce~ phosphorus to wind eros iono ferti l izerso good managemen techn iq ueso
17 8. LAND SYSTEMS
8.1 INTRODUCTION
The concept of land system mapping as described by Christian and Stewart (19531 is based on the recognition of areas throughout which there is a recurring pattern of topography, soils and vegetation° The major mapping unit is the land system which is composed of one or more land units.
8.2 THE LAND SYSTEMS
Nineteen land systems have been recognised, They are briefly described ~n Appendix I and assessed for their land capability using cr=teria in Appendix III
An estimate of the percentage of each land unit w~thin a land system and a vertical section showing the relationship of the various land units with=n a land system is given in Appendix 1. A key to land units within the land system is given in Appendix I1, The generalised relationship between land systems is shown in figure I,
Land system maps (sheets 1 and 21 at a scale of 1;200 000 appear in this report:,
The nineteen land systems have been grouped into seven malor land zones. Each zone is discussed briefly in the following paragraphs
8.2.1 Tertiary Basalt Lands
These lands occupy approximately 35% of the area° Two land systems, Westbrook (451 300 ha) and Toowoomba (17 400 ha) are included in this land zone=
The Westbrook land system has been further divided into hNo subsections (a) and (b) for ease of description Westbrook (a) covers the steeper softwood scrub areas and Westbrook (b) covers the woodland areas of dominantly mounta ~n cool i bah:
The dominant sol Is throughout the Westbrook (a) are shallow to moderately deep black earths with smaller areas of lithosols: These are important agricultural soils. There has been a tendency for farmers to cultivate these sod is when they occur on steep slopes and thereby create a serious erosion hazard,
Much of the Westbrook (b) consists of steep slopes often with stony, shallow soils which, if cleared, could possibly be used for grazing of improved pastures,,
The Toowoomb~ land system occupies the lateritized basalts which extend from Toowoomba north to Pecheyo (State Forests cover the northern portion while natural open forest vegetation covers much of the remainder). Soils within this land system are red earths and krasnozems, Th~s land system abutts the Westbrook or Goombungee land systems
Small areas of the Toowoomba tend system occur as unmapped areas within the Westbrook land system to the east of Killarney Other areas occur along the Great Dividing Range e go Cunningham's Gap and the Bunya Mountains= These are important local dairying areas.
8.2.2 Older Alluvial Plains
These lands occupy approximately 15% of the area. The older alluvial plains of the central western portion of the survey area have been subdivided =nto five land systems - the Oakey (27 250 ha), Brookstead (17 650 ha), Oalby (27 550 ha), Jimbour {105 800 ha) and Millmerran {29 500 ha) land systems.
The Oakey land system consists of predominantly red brown earths which originally supported a poplar box, grassy open woodland. The soils of this land system are extensively cropped at present, The Brookstead and Oalby land systems both consist of deep, grey, cracking clays which carried a grassy open woodland of poplar box The solis of the Dalby land system are generally heavier than those of the Brookstead land system and appear to be less suited to cropping° The Jimbour land system consists of deep, dark, self-mulching, cracking clays which are cropped extensively, tt comprises perhaps the most important agricultural portion of the area.
The Millmerran land system occurs on an old alluvial plain of hard-setting, texture-contrast so,Is. The associated vega(at=on is predominantly of poplar box woodland or open woodland. Some areas are cultivated, but these soils are generally more suitable for improved or native pastures°
8.2.3 Recent Alluvial Clays
The recent alluvial clays occupy approximately 15% of the area° Two land systems Tipton (126 150 ha) and AIIora ('76 400 ha) are included =n this tend zone. These lands are the product of weathering and erosion of the Tertiary basalts and to a lesser extent the Jurassic shales and sandstones.
The Tiptcn land system consists of predominantly deep, dark self-mulching clays= It is found further downstream than the Atlora land system and hence it is more prone to overflow flooding° Many areas of the Tipton land system would be more suited to pasture production and stream bank stabilization° The AIIora land system includes the alluvial valley floors of the majority of the tributaries of the Condamine Rivero Soils are typically deep, self-mulching, dark grey clays= Both land systems are extens=vely cultivated°
8.2.4 Lighter Textured Alluvials
The lighter textured alluvials occupy just over 1% of the area and consists of the Leybum land system (14 200 ha)o Soils are predominantly grey sandy loam to clay loam over clays. The texture-contrast soils of this land system have a limited use for cropping and ~mproved pastures. They are used mainly for grazing of native pastures.
18 Toowoor Westbrook -o ke Westbrook _ --. - Jirnbour u y , ~,,__~ AIIora /I p Ton W.
dimbour or M ool a A clan d West brook E. W.
dimbour Westbro¢ • or Dolb-- Westbrook Moola Goombungee~_
W.
Gr eymar e West brook W. ~ Palgrave Emu Vale - AIIora
Rocky Creek W. Millmerran • Tipton E.
Warwick Westbrook W. ~ L, eyburn AIIora i Brookstead ~ E
! I - ! I
Figure I. Generalised Relationships Between Land Systems These lands are associated with the major drainage lines of the granite and traprock country.
8.2.5 Forested Residuals
The forested res=duals occupy approximately 11% of the area and are found at a lower elevation and to th( of the Westbrook tand system, Two land systems, Warwick (120 250 ha) and Goomb,~ngee (32 950 ha) occur in this
Texture-contrast soils of tow to moderate fertility are found in both land systems° The majority of these s are not suitable for cultivation and are mainly used for grazing of native pastures The Goombungee land system more hilly than the WarWick land system
8.2.8 Brtgalow Lands
The brigal(~w ~ands occupy ~pproximately 8% c~: ~he area and have been subdivided into five land systems the Emu Vale (27 800 ha), Moota (20 900 ha~, Be{l (4 550 hat, Aciand (46 850 ha) and Rocky Creek (8 100 ha).
The topography of the brigalow lands ranges from undulating to low hills1 Gilgai microrelief of these brig~ lands is of minor importance
The Emu Vale land system ~s found ~n the south-east of the area and is undulating to hilly and supports a belah, wilga, "softwood scrub" cor~munity. The Moola and Aoland land systems ~cc~r on undulating to hilly topography~ The Moola soils are moderately deep, grey, texture-contrast soils on the higher slopes grading into grey clays on the lower slopes The soils of Acland land system differ from those of the Moola in cotour. Moderal deep, brown and greyish brown texture-contrast soils on the upper ~lopes and grey cracking clays on lower slope,, a feature of the Acland land system.
Reddish brown to brown texture-contrast soils are the dominant sotls of the Bell land system. "Softwood occurs on the basalt and sandstone knolls throughout this land system while brigalow, belah and wiloj~, layered ¢ forest occup=ed the rema=nder of the area.
The Rocky Creek land system,found to the south-west of Millmerran, once supported a layered open fores~ br=galow, belah and wilga with some poplar box. The dominant soils are moderately deep, grey clays with some gi Iga~ development
The brigalow lands throughout the region have been extensively cleared and constitute an ~mportant agricultural resource
8.2.7 Granite and Traprock Lands
The granite and traprock lands occupy approximately 13% of the area. There are two land systems tnvolv~ the Greymare on granite (52 250 ha) and the Palgrave on traprock (119 450 ha)
The Greymare land system is not as hilly as the Palgrave land system.. Texture-contrast soils dominate I~ land systems= Siliceous sands are common in the Greymare land system while lithosols are common in the Palgr~ land system.
Plant communities of these lands form open forests and, =n some cases, layered open forests.~
The lower slopes of both these land systems are used for grazing of native pastures= Improved pastures, particularly lucerne, have been used successfully on the lower sloping land of the Palgrave land system°
Low fertility, steep topography, stoniness and erosion limits cultivation within this ~and zone. Natural vegetation remains on many of the steeper areas and should be retained for apiculture0
9. LAND UTILISATION
9.1 HISTORICAL
Cunningham discovered and named the Darling Downs in 1827. Patrick Leslie, in July 1840, selected Toolburra near AIIora and became the first settler to utilise the lightly wooded natural grasslands for wool production= The Leslie Brothers brought with them a flock of 5,400 sheep= By 1847 the whole of the Darling Downs had been settled by squatters~
Wheat was first grown near Warwick in 1843 and in the Toowoomba area in 1859o Subsequently the Darlinq Downs became the major wheat growing area of Queensland~
During the period 1860-1870 Land Acts were passed to enable the larger pastoral holdings to be subdivid for agricultural purposes. During this period 502 943 hectares of land were taken up by 2,319 selectors~ Followir the enactment of the 1876 Land Act, a further 344 020 hectares of land were taken up by 3,440 selectors.
Dairying became an industry of major importance after 1890 and continued to be an important rural acttvit until the late 1950's.. The number of dairy farms on the Darlrng Downs has declined since 1960 and with the amalgamation of smaller properties grain growing and beef production became more important. As a result nurnero butter and cheese factories have closed during the last twenW years.,
Prickly pear was well established as a pest in the brigalow scrubs by 1912. It was not until the introduc' of the insect Cactoblastis cactorum in the mid 1920's that these infested lands became productive again=
19 The number of cattle enterprises or enterprises complemented by beef rose considerably in the decade to 1973 due to the buoyant cattle market and the lower returns from grain markets= This position was reversed in 1973-74 with a decline in cattle prtces~ Considerable areas are now under summer and winter grain crops_
9.2 PRESENT LAND USE
A variety of enterprises are carried out in this area= Grain cropping is the major enterprise and is often carried out tn conjunction with beef cattle, vealer production and dairying
9.2.1 Cropping
Th~s enterprise is mainly confined to the alluvial plains,Tertiary basalts and brigalow lands°
Grain cropping is the main production enterprlse conducted on the alluvial plains ioeo Jimbour, Tipton and AIIora land systems. Wheat ts by far the most important winter grain crop, with barley ranking second in importance. Linseed and canary seed are two winter crops of lesser significance
Grain sorghum is the major summer crop with the area planted fluctuatMg considerably according to the success of the previous winter crops; Maize, sunflowers and soybeans are increasing in importance as summer crops
In recent years ~rrigated cotton has become an important crop in the Brookstead-Cecil Plains area= In the year ended 31 st March, 1 973 there were approximately 1 770 hectares grown,
For successful gramn cropping on many of the cultivation areas on the alluvial plains fertilizer is required_ Application rates of 33-45 kg,'ha of nitrogen is recommended, Phosphorus fertilizer rates vary considerably and are based on soil analyses,, Under irrigation grain sorghum crops require 110-170 kg/ha of nitrogen°
Cropping on the basalt lands is quite extensive and ws often associated with a cattle enterprise, either as vealer production or dairying° Barley is the principal ~rfnter crop with wheat being second in importance= Maize and grain sorghum are of about equal importance as summer crops with millet, and sunflower and soybean assuming signifpcant proportions.
The br~galow lands are extensively cropped:
Stubble of graTn crops, particularly sorghum, makes a useful contribution to the fodder requirements of catlle in mixed enterprises Fodder crops are an essential part of any enterprise supporting stock. Oats is the major winter fodder crop and fodder sorghums the dominant summer crop
Areas of the various crops grown for the year ended 31st March, 1973 are shown in Table12.
9.2.2 Beef Cattle/Cropping
Beef cattle and cropping enterprises are usually conducted on undulating amble areas° Many of the older dairy farms have been converted to vealer production with limited grain production= Fodder crops of oats and sorghums are grown to supplement the native or improved pastures= Stubble from the various grain crops is also useful forage for cattle~
Dairy cattle particularly the Australian lllawarra Shorthorn (A.I°S.) are crossed with beef bulls to produce high quality vealers, Herefords are the dominant breed used as bulls with other beef breeds being less popular° Abattoirs at Oakey and Toowoomba as well as local butcher demands create a ready market for good quality vealers and yearlings=
9.2.3 Beef Cattle
Beef cattle numbers have increased during the last decade= The buoyant beef prices over recent years encouraged many farmers to use beef production as an alternative or complementary enterprise to grain production°
There are only a limited number of properties which depend completely on beef production. The majority of properties have beef as a complementary enterprise to grain
Breeding to produce stores is usually confined to the steeper non-arable areas= Most of the store cattle are produced on the Warwick, Goombungee and Westbrook land systems° Breeding has also increased considerably in the Palgrave and Greymare land systems in recent years:
Beef breeds used throughout the region are dominantly Herefords, Shorthorn and Aberdeen Angus° Various tropical breeds such as the Santa Gertrudis, Braford and Droughtmaster are gaining in popularity=
Crop fattening is usually conducted on areas not suitable for grain production. Oats is the principal winter fattening fodder crop, with sorghums and tuceme as the main summer crops,, Breeding properties on hilly grazing country utilise the alluvial flats and other gently sloping land to grow fodder crops for fattening.
9.2.4 Dairying
Dairying with limited grain cropping and pig raising were the dominant enterprises throughout the eastern section of the survey area. This includes the n'~)ority of the undulating country with a moderately high winter rainfall. In recent years there has been an amalgamation of many of the smaller farms and a swing away from dairying to vealer production. Buoyant cattle markets m recent years have also aided this swing. An example of the decline in dairying is that the number of cream suppliers to the Dalby factory decreased from 326 in 1950 to 52 in 1968. A number of butter and cheese factories have closed in recent years, with a swing to whole milk production°
20 The A.I.S. is the principal dairy breed used for whole milk production= There has been an increase in the numbers of Friesians used for th~s purpose Jerseys have declined in popularity because of the change from cream to whole milk production
9.2.5 Sheep
Traditionally, the Palgrave and parts of the Greymare land systems have been regarded as sheep country° Ir recent years low wool prices and buoyant cattle prices have encouraged diversification into cattle in these areas. malority of these properties, however, still carry a nucleus of sheep for wool production The breeds used are main: Merino and Polwarth
Fat lamb production is conducted on a limited scale throughout the area and depends on fodder crops for Success~
9.2.6 Pigs and Poultry
In the past, pig raising has been associated with dairying° However, in recent years several large intensive piggeries have been built Some of these have been built in association wtth grain properties. Recently, there has been a tendency for targe piggeries to be set up as separate enterprises with several occurring in close proximity to Toowoomba
Several large poultry enterprises exist throughout the area. They are based on egg product=on and use the intensive housing system One large poultry enterprise exists at Pittsworth with others near Millmerran and Toowoc
Table 13 shows the number of cattle, sheep and pigs in the various shires at the 31st March, 1973.
9.2.7 Fruit and Vegetables
Small areas of fruit are grown in the Greymare land system The majority of the apples, pears and stone frui produced =n the Granite Belt are grown outside the survey area Grapes are grown on the loamy so=Is around Warwicl
Vegetables are grown quite successfully in and around Toowoomba on the red earths. This produce is used mainly for the local markets.
Commercial crops of onions and canning tomatoes have been grown at Brookstead on the atluvial plains witlr irrigation
9.2.8 Forestry
There are several areas of State Forests within the survey region The Pechey State Forest has been plante to exotic trees mainly P/nus radiate. State Forests east of Warwick consist mainly of rain forest species, many of which are cabinet timbers~ Trees such as hoop pine (Araucaria cunnlnghamli), Bunya pine (Araucaria bidwi/lii), silky oak (Grevillea robustaL crow's ash (Flinders/a australis) as well as many other species have been cut from these forests° A State Forest east of Leyburn supplies cypress pine, spotted gum and narrow-leaved ironbark Other trees used for timber are cut from many private properties throughout the area.
National Parks exist at three localities within the area. Queen Mary's Falls and Blaokfellow's Knob, east o Killarney, Cunmngham's Gap on the Great Dividing Range and the Bunya Mountains.
9.2.9 Mining
Coal mining has been carried out on a limited scale around Acland and Tannymorel However, all these mine are closed at presenL
9.3 FACTORS AFFECTING LAND USE
The factors limiting land use and the degree of limitation were determined for each land unit. These include climate and sofl moisture site factors such as slope and mlcrorelief, soil properties and susceptibility to erosion.
9.3.1 Climate and Soil Moisture
Extremes of temperature have detrimental effects on many crops= Heatwaves, at the flowering stage of sorgh significantly reduce grain y~eldso At the seedling emergence stage heatwaves, particularly if they last for several d; may have detrimental effects on establishment of many crops
Frosts may have a detr=rnental or beneficial effect according to the type of crop and its time of occurrence° Frosts in the late autumn-early winter months ensure even ripening of late planted sorghum crops or crops supportin regrowtho Late winter-early spring frosts, on the other hand, may severely damage wheat and barley crops at the floweri ng stage.
As the majority of crops are affected by extremes of temperature, crops should be sown at the recommended planting times_
Damage by hail and wind storms in the-early part of summer can be quite severe Insurance cover is availabl for wheat and barley crops to help alleviate losses from this source of damage°
21 TABLE 12
AREAS FARMED AND UNDER VARIOUS CROPS (year ended 31 March, 1973) (a) Areas Farmed Shire No. of Rural Area of Rural Approx. Average Total Area Holdings Holdings Holding Size Cropped (ha) (ha) (he)
AIIora 271 60 000 221 18 300 Cambooya 462 63 000 136 21 700 C ri fton 406 82 000 202 34 000 Crow's Nest 523 137 000 262 6 700 Glengallan 656 137 000 209 26 800 Jondaryan 713 1 86 000 261 85 400 Millmerran 425 41 5 000 976 75 600 Pittsworth 432 103 000 238 55 500 RoSalie 819 200 000 244 55 300 Rosenthal 286 1 81 000 634 6 400 Wambo 1 ,075 493 000 459 197 800
(b) Crop Areas (Hectares)
Shire Wheat Maize Barley Sorghum Millet Peanuts Soybeans Cotton Sunflowers Lucerne Other and Hay Fodder Panicum (Includ- Ing Lucerne and O ther Pasture)
.AIIora 829 1 222 2 193 3 793 305 249 2 122 1 192 6 835 Cambooya 436 1 408 1 826 4 935 718 419 - 1 907 751 8 875 Cltfton 1 104 3 917 3 483 8 299 1 471 570 369 6 252 707 7 296 Crow's Nest 78 272 1 251 487 97 - 769 4 346 Glengallan 1 619 2 540 2 534 5 347 316 343 - 2 192 2 134 10 565 Jondaryan 12 078 2 346 7 156 28 594 3 784 2 188 195 6 961 1 681 19 278 Millmerran 13 700 931 12 578 19 452 2 575 3 3 109 1 110 3 490 194 14 970 Pittsworth 3 736 858 5 615 20 211 1 461 2 518 464 6 514 294 12 211 Rosalie 7 548 788 6 516 7 038 3 466 288 150 - 1 347 1 194 25 696 Rosenthal 119 157 756 452 103 189 - 53 1 940 3 821 Wambo 91 816 1 391 12 623 38 173 6 927 1 399 - 7 234 493 32 295
Reference: Statistical Summary Queensland Local Authority Areas. Australian Bureau of Statistics= 30 Sept. 1974
TABLE 1 3
LIVESTOCK NUMBERS AT 31ST MARCH, 1973
Shire Sheep Holdings Beef Holdings Dairy Commercial Pigs Holdings with Cattle with Cattle Dairy with Sheep Cattle for Holdings Pigs Meat Production A I lore 4,399 13 1 5,1 52 202 5,373 79 3,891 62 Cambooya 881 20 13.112 258 11,362 166 11,375 85 C I i fton 9,391 44 1 7,977 391 4,232 65 8,741 86 Crow's Nest 276 11 48,339 393 1 5.234 221 18,901 211 Glenga lien 8,802 41 41,820 497 12.11 9 172 10,104 127 Jondaryen 16,736 54 26,762 326 1 8,1 89 223 14,134 141 Mi I Imerran 60,774 89 54~51 7 309 1 ,041 11 14,628 87 P i ttsworth 1,588 24 1 5,884 220 7,970 11 3 8,505 121 Rosa I i e 2,376 20 59,186 547 30,739 41 0 36,098 420 Rosentha I 79,261 90 37,340 224 2.875 28 4,1 86 34 Wambo 42,543 1 37 95,848 677 8,896 94 35,511 260
Reference: Stattstical Summary, Queensland Local Authority Areas. Australian Bureau of Statistics= 30 Sept. 1974
22 Low available soil moisturP has a severe etfect on crop or pasture growthJ Many of the *~.xture-contrast sl associated with the C-~oombungee, Warwick, Greymare, Palgrave and Leyburn land systems have a limited capacit~ store moisture due to shallow depths and sandy te~tureso Surface sealing and hard-setting characteristics of man, these profiles also reduce the amount of water entering these soils
Soils of the Millmerran ]and system and the deeper soils of the Emu Vale, Acland, Moola, Rocky Creek, E Goombungee and Warwick land systems have the ability to store from 5 to 15 cm of available moisture in the rooti zone
The deep, cracking, clay soils have the ability to store 15 cm or more of availab!e water in the top 1.5 m, of soil This group includes the soils of the Jimbour, Atlora, Tipton, Dalby and Brookstead land systems. Many c clay soils of the WestbrooK land system falt into this group= They have the capacity to store moisture over prolo~ periods, hence fallowing is used as a moisture storing process The shallower soils of the Westbrook land systen a much reduced water storage capacity, It r,3~ been po~tulatec~ that the decomposing basalt below these soils ma~. as a useful water storage medium: However, thequanti~y stored has yet to be verihed,
9.3.2 Site Factors
Steep slopes can severetv dcw~-grade a ~dnd unit especially wher~ combined with shallow soils. Topogral: timitahons are indicated where applicable in ~he ~ancl system descriptions in Appendix I
Very steep slopes occur in the Westbrook ia:~d system and in portions oT the Greymare, Palgrave and Goor land systems where they encounter the Great Dividing Rang=~
Many t~thosots or skeletal soils occur throughout the area Soil depths and the degree of limitation of eac unit ;s given in Appendix I
Stoniness presents a problem with soils of the Westbrook land system Many of the excessively stony are~ associated with steep, shallow soils: There are other areas which would be suitable for improved pastures or lira cropping !f stones were removed° Areas of the Warwick, Goombungee and Greymare land systems, as well as hilly within the brcgalow land systems, were down-graded because of stoniness
Many of the soils in the Palgrave land system,though stony, are being used for the establishment of ]repro pastures_ These stony sotls quickly wear out cultivating machinery.
Prolonged wetness is a minor problem in the survey area. In the very wet seasons when flooding occurs. may remain on low-lying areas Small areas of swampy land occur, where underground springs come to the surface
G~lgai microrelief does not generally restrict land use in the region_
9.3.3 Soil Properties
The Mywy.bllla so, is present workability problems= The coarse structure of these soils makes them diffic:~ work to the destrable seed-bed condition. Germination and seedling emergence may occur if the soils are not rollc after planting The Cecilvale soils may present minor workability problemsr
Surface crusting may be a problem= However, soils with these properties are not used extensively for agriculture= Compaction layers have been reported from the heavy alluvial clay soils, but this problem needs further investigation
Limited rnforrnation is available on the nutrient fertility of the soils of the region° The majority of the important agricultural soils require fertilizer applications after prolonged cropping. Nitrogen and phosphorus are the major elements required, with zinc, sulphur and molybdenum being the minor elements~
Soal salinity and sodicity is a problem in small isolated areas~ Saltpans occur in low-lying situations at tl base of several of the basaltic hills of the Westbrook land system: This occurs where the Walloon Coal Measures exposed or are close to the surface° These saline areas appear to be associated with over-clearing of the surroun hills resulting in a rise in the water table lower in the landscape. These areas should not be cultivated as this aggravates the problem; they should be retained in pasture
Many soils of the Palgrave and Leyburn land systems have high sod]city levels at depth° Although these : are not important agriculturally, they are used for pasture improvement hence care may be required w~th the choic~ species
9.3.4 Soil Erosion Factors
The Oakey and Yargullen soil series as well as those which originally supported a belah community are susceptible to wind erosion Damage is slight if a surface cover is maintained and the soils are not excessively cu I ti vated
So~ls on undulating to hilly terrain, if cultivated, are susceptible to water erosion° Severity of erosion depends on the slope, soil depth and cultivation treatment. Providing the slope is not excessive, treatments such as strip cropping, contour cultivatton, grass strips, rough tillage and stubble mulching may be sufficient to check erosion. On steeper areas stubble mulching and contour banks are necessary. On the alluvial plains strip croppim is sufficient to control overflow erosion. Susceptibility of the land units to rainfall erosion is indicated in the lar system descriptions - Appendix I
23 Erosive flooding fs a factor affecting use of the so= Is on the plains. Soils of the Jimbour land system are periodically subjected to erosive flooding while those of the Tipton and AIIore land systems are more frequently flooded. Damage ~s usually slight to moderate and may be kept to a minimum by the use of strip cropping and stubble mulching.
9.4 DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL AND FUTURE PROBLEMS
Much of the land of this region is being used beyond its capability° Up to 30=/o of the cultivated area in some land systems should only be cultivated intermitently. Most of this occurs in Westbrook, Moola, Acland, Emu Vale, Rocky Creek and Belt land systems°
One of the major factors causing over-exploitation of these areas is the small farm size. Many enterprises are not viable on small farms, particularly if the land is used according to its capability.
Under the provisions of the Soil Conservation Act of 1965 certain shires have been declared areas of erosion hazard to ensure that all land within these shires is used according to its capability. The shires of AIIore, Cambooya and Clifton were declared in March 1973 and the shires of Crow's Nest, Glengallan, Millmerran, Rosalie, Wambo and Chinchilla were declared in August 1974=
Productivity of the arable soils of the area may be increased by improved management techniques~ Opportunity cropping has been conducted successfully by some farmers, on the more favoured eastern fringe of the area. Stubble mulching is another farming technique which has gained considerable publicity in recent years= Stubble mulching is a simple, but effective technique to help reduce erosion and it also aids water entry into the soil= There =s considerable scope for expansion of this technique not only on the plains but also on the undulating landscapes under cultivation~ Stubble mulching combined with strip cropping is one of the most effective methods of reducing e ros i on°
Continued cultiva~tion of soils on steep slopes has accelerated erosion leading to a decline in their productivity. Much of the presently cultivated areas should be returned to permanent pasture. Suitable pasture species have been tried and tested for the majority of these sloping areas=
For the skeletal, colluvial and alluvial upland black earths of the eastern Darling Downs, the following pasture species have been recommended Legumes include luceme and the medics such as snail (Medicago scute/lata); Jemalong (Medicago truncatula var. truncatu/a) and Cyprus (Medicago truncatula Varo truncatula). Grasses recommended are green panic (Panicum maximum var= trichoglume) and Kabulabula panic (Panlcum kabulabula), on the better drained soils, and Makarikari grass (Panicum coloratura var. makarikariensis) and Rhodes grass (Ch/oris gavana) on the heavier soils (Lloyd 1970).
On the softwood scrub and associated brigalow areas of the north-eastern and south-eastern Darling Downs Rhodes grass, buffel grass (Cenchrus ci/iarfs) and perennial prairie grass ~Bromus unio/oides) and annual medics (Medicago spp~) have been successfully grown. However, green panic and lucerne are the predominant pastures in this area (Lloyd, 1970).
If texture-contrast soils are to be used for pasture production, only selective clearing of vegetation should occur. Over-clearing followed by over-grazing will result in severe erosion. Once the B horizon has been exposed, erosion continues at an accelerated rate and is very difficult to halt. Dawson (1972b) points out that many of these soils are sodic and as any discharged sediments are potentially poor quality alluvia, damage could result to the more productive lands further down the catchment= Erosion is obvious in the Warwick and Palgrave land systems. Care will be required with their future use~
Some farmers have claimed that they have obtained increased crop yields by the use of a periodic deep rippingo The success or otherwise of this practice has yet to be completely assessed~
Saline areas or saltpans, although only small in total area, are causing concern. There are numerous small outbreaks occurring in low-lying positions at the base of some basalt hills° Rising water tables apparently due to clearing of timber on the upper slope have been the cause of these outbreaks and the salts are suggested to be from two sources. From the weathering of rocks in the upper parts of the catchment and from saline sediments laid down in early geological periods in strata through which the ground water moves. Care is required in the treatment of saline areas and they should not be allowed to develop to the stage where no vegetation grows. Reclamation is extremely difficult at this stage; Discontinuation of cultivation and establishment of a permanent pasture is the advised procedure as soon as the problem arises°
Water quality for irrigation varies throughout the area Use of water for irrigation is not advisable unless water quality tests have been conducted= Continued use of high bicarbonate water is likely to degrade the high clay soils=
If stubble mulching and opportunity cropping become standard practices, fertilizer requirements wi II increase considerably to maintain yields.
Timber regrowth has only been a minor problem throughout the area= Most brigalow areas have been cleared and cultivated for many years, hence regrowth has only been a minor problem. Regrowth of wattle species, usually seedlings, can create a problem following clearing of the vegetation of the Goombungee and Warwick land systems.
African boxthorn (Lycium feroclssimum) has tended to be a problem on areas of the Rocky Creek land system. The chemical 2, 4, 5-T amine mixed with diesel distillate has proved a satisfactory control measure°
24 On the alluvial pla=ns, with the use of irrigation, it is possible that there will be a change from grain cror to vegetables or high income-earning crops° Rising land prices and rising production costs may force diversificat into high income-earning crops in the not to distant future Examples of the major enterprises, average farm sizes and approximate land prices for each of the land systems are given in Table 14=
There has been an increase =n the production of pigs and poultry in recent years and this trend is expecte to continue Large markets exist for the sale of pre-mlxed stock feeds end industries have been formed to cope w these needs°
TABLE 14
MAJOR ENTERPRISES (~N LAND SYSTEMS (1974 DATA)
L.and System Average Farm Approximate Price Enterprises in Order Size Hectares Per Hectare (Bare) Of importance
1. Westbrook Most 260 Stony areas $1 50 1. Dairying (a) Scrub Some 325, some Better areas $400 2. Vealers as small as 65 3, Cattle fattening 4. Grain growing
1 Westbrook Most 260, var=es $200 to $450 or 1. Gra=n growing (b) Forest greatly more in better areas 2. Vealers and cattle fatten i ng 3. Dairying
2. Toowoomba 16 -40, varies $600 to $1200 1. Grazing and timber greatly near Toowooml0a 2. Dairying $100 to $200 3. Pigs and poultry further out
3, Oakey 240 to 325 or $250 to $350 1. Grain growing smaller 2. Cattle fattening and dairying 3. Some sheep
4. Brookstead 24C -325 $250- $350 1 =Gratn growing 2. Cattle fattening
5. Dalby 160 - 240 $250 - $350 1. Grain 2. Crop fattening 3. Grazing
6. Jimbour 325 $400 -$500 1. Gratn growing 2. Cotton and oil crop~
7. Millmerran Usually with other $1 50 - $250 1. Grain systems° 240 2. Crop fattening 3= Sheep
8 T~pton 160 - 240 $200 - $350 1, Grain growing 2. Grain and cattle fatten i ng
9 AIIora 160 $300 - $400 1. Grain 2. Dairying and vealer 3. Cattle fattening
10. Leybum 240 - 400, usually $100 - $150 1. Grazing with other systems 2. Some grain and catt
11 Warwick 400 or greater $70 - $17"0 1. Grazing 2. Sheep 3. Minor citrus and gra
12= Goombungee "400 or greater $50 - $1 00 1. Grazing
13 Emu Vale 160 $200 - $300 1 o Dairying and vealer 2o Grain
14o Moola 160 - 240 or $200 - $350 1. Grain and cattle greater fattening 2. Yea lets and some dairying
25 TABLE 14 (Continued)
Land System Average Farm Approximate Price Enterprises In Order Size Hectares Per Hectare (Bare) Of Importance 15. Bell 240 - 325 $300 1, Grain 2. Grain and vealers 3. Grain and dairying
16= Acland 160 - 240 $250 1. Grain and vealers 2. Grain and dairying
1 7. Rocky Creek 240 $200 - $250 1. Grain 2o Grain and dairying 3. Grain and vealers and crop fattening
1 8° Greymare 325 or greater° $50 - $100 or 1 o Grazing of sheep and Very small in higher in fruit cattle fruit areas areas 2o Fruit in the south of area
19. Palgrave 400 or greater $25 - $100 10 Grazing of sheep and cattle 2. Forestry and grazing
Other secondary industries such as breakfast cereal manufacture are possibly due to the proximity of the grain producing areas.
Many agricultural areas are being sub-divided and sold as hobby farms or ranchettes. Some form of control will be necessary to ensure that future sub-division does not occur of prime agricultural land.
10. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The assistance of Mr. B.J. White in preparing the cl=matology section, Mr. Lloyd of the Irrigation and Water Supply Commissfon, the ground water hydrology section, Mr~ P H. Scott in ~llpaf'vi~irtg the preperstion of al! maps and figures, Mr. N.M. Dawson for advice on the conduct of the survey and presentation of this report, Mr. T.E. Donnollan in assisting with the field work and officers of the Botany Branch in plant specimens is acknowledged.
26 11. BIBLIOGRAPHY
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Bureau of Meteorology (1961) -Climatolog=cal survey Region 6 -Western Downs. Queensland (Govt. Printer : Melbourne).
Christian, C.S., and Stewart, G.A. (1953) -- General report on survey of Katherine-Darwin region, 1946 Ld Res. CS/RO Aust. 1
Christian, C.S., and Stewart, G.A. (1968) -- Methodology of integrated surveys Proc. Toulouse Conf. 1964, UNE~ pp 233-80
Connah, T.H., and Hubble, G.D. (1960) -- Later~tes, J. Geol. Soc. Aust. 7:373-86
Cranfleld, L.C., and Schwa~bock, H. (1973) -- The geology of the Ipswich 1.250 000 sheet area, Southern Queen: Dep. Mines, Oueensland. Preliminary Map
Dawson, N.M. (1972a) -- Land inventory and technical guide. Jandowae Area, Queensland_ Tech. Bull. Div. Ld U Qd Oep. Prim. Inds. 3
Dawson, N.M. (1972b) -- Land ~nventory and technical guide, Miles Area, Queensland Tech. Bull. Div. Ld Util. ( Dep. Prim. /rids. 5
Exon, N.F., Medvecky, A., and Thomas, B.M. (1968) - The geology of the Dalby 1:250 000 sheet area Bur. Mine Resour. Austo Preliminary Map.
Exon, N.F., Raiser, R.F., Jensen, A.R., Burger, D., and Thomas, B.M. (1966) -- The geology of the Chinchilla 1:250 000 sheet area, Southern Queensland Bur. Mineral Resour. Aust. Rec. 1968,/53 (unpubl)
Fitzpatrick, E.A., and Nix, H.A. (1970) -- The climat=c factor in Australian grassland ecology In "Austral=an Grasslands" R. Mi/ton Moore, ed (Australian National University Press : Canberra).
Hill, D., and Denmaad, A.K. (eds.) (1960) -- "The Geology of Queensland" (Melbourne University Press : Me/b<
Hill, D., and Maxwell, W.G.H. (1967) -- "Elements of the Stratigraphy of Queensland", 2ndEd {University of Queensland Press : Brisbane).
Hill, D., and Tweedale, G.W. (1955) -- Geological map of the Moreton District Dep. Mines, Queensland. lebell, R.F.0 Thompson, C.H., Hubble, G.D., Beckmann, G.G., and Paton, T.R. (1967) -- Atlas of Australian SoiJ Sheet 4 - Brisbane - Charleville - Rockhampton - Clermont Area - with explanatory data" (Me/bourn University Press : Melbourne).
Klingeblal, A.A., and Montgomery, P.H. (1961) -- Land capability classif=cation Agric. Handb. U.S= Dep. Agric.
Lloyd, D.L. (1970) -- Pastures on Darling Downs Qd agric. J. 96:434-41 543-51
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NIx, H.A., and Fitzpatrick, E.A. (1969) -- An index of crop water stress related to wheat and grain sorghum yield Agr/c. Met. 6:321-37
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28 APPENDIX I
1 WESTBROOK (a) (b)
2 TOOWOOMBA
3 OAKEY
4 BROOKSTEAD
5 DA L BY
6 JIMBOUR
7 MI LLMERRAN
8 TIPTON
9 A L LORA
1 0 LEYBURN
1 1 WARWICK
1 2 GOOMBUNGEE
13 EMU VA LE
1 4 MOOLA
15 BELL
16 ACLAND
1 7 ROCKY CREEK
! 8 GREYMA RE
1 9 PA LGRA V E (I) ~STE~OOK LAND SYSTEM (~51 300 ha)
SUMMARy The Westbrook ls~nd system comprises the "basaltic uplands" and f"or convenience of descriptio~ bass been described in two parts~gestbrook 1 (a) and Westbrook 1 (b)°
{a) La~d System z Mouaxtalnous to low hills. Steeper softwood scrub areas and steep mountainous country~ often wlth rain- fo~est~ alonK ~be Range - Westbrook I (a)| and woodland to open forest a~eas of dominantly mountain coollbe/~ on the low hills - Westbrook (b) * (b) Soils ~ Major soils are bro~ and ~eyish-brown solf-mulchlng~ often stony, light clays on hilly areas with deal dark ~rey clays in the valleys, Dark reddish-brown clay foams and light cl~ys also occur. (e) Vegetation | Weeth~ook I (a) - Softwood scrub and mixed scrubs predominate. On the steep mountainous areas so~s patches of" raln~orest occur. Narrow-leaved ironbark, ~um-topped boxs &Tey box and some yellow box with a shrubby ~nderstorey predominate on the remainder of the steep r~e sides. Softwood scrub species with belah, wil~a and Aca~ia species~ which occur on hilly areas and ~OIIS~ dominate the re~nder of the area. ~estbrook ! (b) ~ Predomlnant~y mountain ceollbah woodland to open forest. On the rldges~ mo~taln coollb~ narrow--leaved Ironbark and sAlver-leaved ironbark occur, often as p~e stands. Moreton Bay ash is more cbm~on on the scarps throughout the area. Mo~tain coolibah dominates the broad hilltops and slopes, with Queensland blue ~um and rough-barked apple occurring along the dralna~e lines. (d) Geolo~ ~ Residual Tertiary basalt which overlies Jurassic shales and sandstones. These sandstones outcrop in several eectlons. Basalt was extruded from three centresz the Bunya Mou~talns, Toowoomba and east 0£ Wax~ick.
West brook I (a)
1 Sect|on I I Section II
Dia~rammatlc Cross-SectLun of" Land Units
N.S. Sections I and II ma> occur together Or separately. Section I is the steep range countr~. Section II is the hilly softwood scrub areas.
laND EST. SOIL BRIEF SOIL DESCRIPTION VEGETATION LANDFORM LAND CAPABILITY UNIT ~ AliBI SKIES CLASS
| 13 gerL~uir Shallow m stony llthosols to Variel greatly from Very steep VII-VIII moderately deep brown and a forest of narrow- slopes. 15~ or e6, t7_s, r~_~ greyish brown clay Ioaums leaved Ironbark and steeper sloge. and clays. Um 6.2 scrub species to m3_~, d~_60 some ralnforss¢ areas, ~ome yellow box, 6~t'ey box and mountain coolibah.
2 8 I~ving Moderately deep to deept dark Mountain coolibaht Mid and lower TII-IV reddish brown to vez-y dark narrow--leaved iron- slopes. 5--8~ e3_A, d2. ~ey to black clay soils, bark and occasional slope. 0ccaslon~l llne~ gilgai, wattle and scrub Ug 5.1D, Ug 5.15, > 60 cm deep. species,
D 6 Charlton/ Shallow to deep1 vex~y dark brown Mountain coollbah Steep upper VI Crai~nore and veu dark gTey hearty ~layl. narrow--leaved iron-- and mid e4, d~_6, Some linear gilgal occ~-Ts, bark woodland~ slopes. Ug 5.1~, Ug 5.1~. scattered scrub 8-10~ slope, species, wattles~ belah a~d wilga.
4 5 Beauu~raba/ Shallow to moderately deep often -Softwood scrub" Mid slopes. III-IV Purraw~nda stonF soil, Dark reddish brown with brlgalow, belah 3-8~ slope, eD_4, r~, m3_Ai clay soils overlying decomposin~ and wilga layered basalt. Ug ~.12, Ug ~.13. open forest, d3_~, 30--60 em deep.
~ Waco Deep, very dark grey t cracking queensland blue Valley floors, II clay soils. Self-mulchiR~. ~xun, with occasion- w2, Ug 5015~ Ug 5o16. al poplar box wood- land and wattles.
6 3 Kenmuir Shallow stony soils. Brow~ clay "Softwood scrub" Hilltops. 1-3~ VI loams to ver~ dark Fay clay with occasional slope, e2_3, rs, m3_A, loams overlyt~g decomposing mountain coolibah. basalt, Um 6.21, Um 6.22. d4o
2 KerAnnllr/ Shallow to very shallow stony "Softwood scrub" Steep upper VII-VIII Beaua~aba soils. Dark reddish brown to with occasional slopese 30- very dark ~ey clay loam soils mountain coollba.h. 20~ or e~-6P t6-7' overlying decomposi~qE h~salt, steeper Um 6.2. slope, rs' mD--~' d~'6"
8 2 Kenmulr Shallow to moderately deap~ Mou~taln coollbah t Lower slopes VII often stony, soils. Dark wilga and ~solated 8uld scarps, eA_6~ t6~ rs~ reddish brow~ to black clays, brigalow and be~ah 5-10~ slope, Um 6.2. < ~5 cm deep, woodland, m3_~, dD_~.
9 2 Ksnmuir Very shallow~ often stony, Mountain ~oollbah~ Steep upper VII-VIII ~ow~ to dark reddish brown Wi1~ and wattles, elopes, 10- e~.6~ t6_8~ clay loam to clay soils Woodland. 15~ or lyln~ decomposing basalt, steeper rss mD_~ d~_~, Um 6.2. slope. Westbrook 1 (b)
Diagrammatic Cross-Section of Land Units
LA/WD EST. SOIL LAND C~%PABILITY UNIT ~ A/~EAi SERIES BRIE~ SOIL DESCRIPTION VEGETATION LAN~mORM CLA55
I I~ Kenmulr/ Shallow to very shallow solls~ Either mountain Flat topped IV-V Sou~hbrook Often very stony, bro~, dark ceolibah or hills and broad reddish bro%rz% to greylsh bro~% leaved ironbark or ridges. I-3~ e2-3' r4"D' clay loam surface over brown to sLiver-leaved iron- slope. reddish brown clays decom- bark, in relatively d3"~" posing basalt. Um 6.21, Um 6.22. pure stands or as mi=tures. Woodland.
2 1t Purraw~/Idal Rarely stonyi or ~ravelly, shallow Mo~tain coolibah Broad rounded Ill to moderately de,~p t dark gTeyish woodland, gene~ally hllltops. I-3~ eR_3t d2_9. b~o~11 to dark ~r~y clays over- c~eared~ ur open slope. lyln~ decomposin& basalt, grassland. Ug 5.12, Ug 5.13.
9 Purrawunda Moderately shallow, vex'~y dark Mouultain coolibah Mid %o upper III-IV bro~r~ to very dark ~-reyish woodland, generally slopes. A-~ bro~ cracking clays overlying cleared~ or open Or steeper e3-4' d2-j" decomposing basalt. Calcium ~assland. slope. carbonate may occur at depth. Ug 5.12, Ug 5.13.
4 8 Irvln~ Moderately deep, very dark Mountain coolibahp Lower slopes. III bro~ to very dark ~eyish with some Moreton 3-7~ slope e2.3, d2. brown clays over very dark Bay ash, Queensland often linear brown clays. Very dark blue gum and narrow- gilgal. br~ to the surface In puffs, leaved ironbark. Calcium carbonate occurs. Woodland to opeD Ug 5.13, Ug 5.15. forest.
5 5 Kenn~/ir/ Very shallow, sTony~ dark Mountain coolibah~ Eroding scarpg. YII-YIII Bea~araba brown to ~er7 dark ~ey M~reton Bay ash with I0-20~ or e6, t6_8~ clay loams to clays over- occasional narrow- steeper slope. lying decomposlng basalt, leaved ironbark and rh, mD.A. Um 6.2| t Um 6,22, sllver-lea~ed barks. Woodland,
6 4 Burton Shallow to moderately deep, Mountain coolibaht Upper slopes Ill-IV sometimes stony, brown or narrow--leaved iron- and gently e2-~t k2, P2 dark reddish bro~ clay bark~ generally ondula%Ing to • foams to clays over dark cleared. Woodland. flat elevated d2. red to reddish brown clays, areas. 3-8~ Calcium carbonate o/ten at slope. depth. Gn ~.12t Uf 6.~1.
7 ~ Waco Deep~ ver~F dark brown to Queensland blue Valleys and II very dark ~Tey to black ~um, rough-barked drainage self-mulching ~lays. apple. Woodland lines. I-~ e2, f2. U~ 5.15, to open forest, slope.
8 = 1 Yar~ll~ Moderately deep~ verF Open ~mssiand. Edge of plains ~II alksl~ne, verF dark grey e~nd drainage to ~ey~ light clays to lines. 1--~ e2• P3, clays &-fading Inte a slope, dR_). marly clay. Calcium carbonate on surface. Uf 6.22~ Uf 6~t~. (2) TOOWOO~A LAND SYSTEM (~7 ~oo ha) $U)~LRY
(a) ~ System ; Undulating plateau and plateau remnants with layered o~en forest of Sy~hley blue &~um e white st~in~rba~ red bloodwood~ tallow~ood a~d strin~ybark peppermint on red lateritlc soils. (b) Soils I Major soils are friabie m highly permeable red soils, vaz-/ing ~reatly in depth~ but often more than R meres deep. Laterlte Is often associated with sell profiles o~ tb-ls ~ToUp. (C) Vegetation = L~yered open forest of Sydney blue ~nmm, white strln~ybark~ red bloodwood, tallowwood, strin~ybsuck ~eppermlnt, black she-oak ~d a wattle understorey. (d) Geology 1 Dissected latevltlzed Tertiary basalts with small areas of non-lateri~imed b~sal%s also present.
4
Diagrammatic Cross-Sectlon of Land U~its
LAND E~T. SOIL LAND CAPABILITY UNIT ~ AREA SERIE~ BRIEF SOIL DESCRIPTION V~ETATION LANDFORM CLA~S
I 27 Ruthven/ Moderately deep soils. Dare Sydney blue ~lm, Mid and lower III Middle reddish brown clay loam surfaces, white strin~bark, slopes. Ridge t~LTOUgb a transitional zone to a bloodwood, blackbuttg 3-'7~ slope, e3 r~d medium cleyJ 5mall amouults of black she-oak laterite in the surface increasing a.nd a wattle under- to moderate amounts with depth, storey. Layered open Gn 3.11. forest.
2 20 Drayton/ Shallow to moderately deep soils. Some mountain Lower slopes III-IV Kynoch Dark brown to reddish brown clay coolibah t narrow- vergln~ on loam over red medium clay~ Grades leaved Ironbark and basaltic uplands, e3' dD" into basalt ~-ravel over weathered ~e~ box mixed with ~-~ slope. basalt at depth~ Basalt stone and Queenslsnd blue ~um, ~Tavel may OCCUr on s~rface ~d Sydney blue gu~, within profile a% < 60 cm. Gn 3,12, strln~yharks and bloodwoodo A wattle undermto~ey is common. Layered open forest.
3 15 Ruthven/ Moderately deep to deep soils= Sydney blue &~um, Rounded hills~ III-IV Middle Dark reddish brown clay loam white strin~ybark, 5--6~ slope. Ridge surface ~Tading into red medium hloodwood and a e~_~. clays. Little or no laterite wattle undermtorey. present, Gn 2.11, Layered open forest.
1~ Toowoomba/ Shallow to moderately deep soils. Sydney blue gum e Crest of rugs. III-IV Gabblnbar Greyish brown, dark reddish brown white strln~ybark, 2-4% slope. to brown loamy surface~ friable st~ingybark pepper- e3" when wet, snuffy when dry p over mlnt~ tallowwoodp yellowish red or brown friable and a wattle under- i0~ soil over some depth of red storey, Layered ~ravelly clays= Gn 2.11. open forest.
5 I0 Ruthven/ Shallow soils, dark reddish brown Sydney blue ~m, Upper slopes~ IV )Liddle to ~Tey brown loamg/ surface white strin~barkg 6-I0~ slope. Rldge (friable to snuffy) ~rading into bloodwood, string- e~, d3. yellowish t red brown clays over bark peppermint, lateriTe= Gn 3.11. black sbe--oa/c ~nd a wattle understorey. hYered open fo~est.
6 10 Ruthven/ Moderately deep soils, Dark red- Sydney blue gum~ Mid and upper IV-VI Middle dish brown to brown loamy surface white etrln~ybark, slopes~ tg. Ridge over yellowish red or brown clay bloodwood with sere 6--IO~ slope, e~m to some depth of friable red clay. mtrin~bark pepper- Often ~r~eater On 3.}I, Gn 2.12. mint and a wattZe slope • Amsoc£ated underotorey. Layered with ~e~In r~ge. o~en forest.
7 ~ Nelson Moderately deep soils. Da~k brown, ~ueensland blue ~u~n, Drainage lines II--III dark ~Teyish brown or dark reddish biaekbutt, black she- associated with e2, w2. b~own light clay murface over a o~ with some blood- mln ~axl~e. mottled yellowish ~Tey to brownish wood a-~d etrlngybark yellow clay. Some manganese nodules arld a wattle under-- and iron--stalnln~ Weathered s~orey, Layered open basalt a% depth. Gn 3.71, On 3.7~. ~oresto
N.B. Areas of the Westbrook land system may be i~ludod in the area as mapped. Mainly Um 6.21 and Um 6~22 soils~ (D) OAK~Y LAND SYSTEM (27 250 ha) SUMMARY l~I Land System I Flat plains with poplar box 6Tassy open woodlazld and deep, reddish brown~ texk~e--contrast soils. Soils : Ma~or soils a~e deep~ dark reddish brown s texture-contrast soils (red brown euths) with associated areas of deepp ~'*eyp cracking clays. (C) Vege%a~loa | Grassy open wood1~uld of poplar box. The majority of this co=unity has been cleared. Associated species of mountain coollbsdu and Queensl~d blue ~um occur. (d) Geology : Quatemaz~ alluvium derived from Jurassic shales and sandstones and Tertiary basalts.
Westbtook 3 I 3 I +Z 4 I-$.
D;ia4Erasunatic Cross-Sectlon of Land Units
LAND EST. SOIL LAND CAPABILITY UNIT ~ AR~A SERIES BRIEF SOIL DESCRIPTION VEGETATION LANDFORM CLA55
| ~0 08key Moderately deep ko deept dark Poplar box 8TUmmy Plain, < 1~ slope+ II brown to reddish brown, loam open woodland, to ¢lay loam over dark reddish a2, k~l P2. brown to dark brown medium clay. Soft and nodular calcium carbonate at depth. Dr 2.13.
2 25 DaImeny Moderately deep to deept dark brown Poplar box ~assy Plain t ~ I~ slope+ II to reddish brown loams to clay foams open woodland, k2, p over yellowish brown clays. Soft and 2. nodular calcium carbonate may a% depth. Dy 3.22~ Dy 3o12®
20 Wac¢ Deep, very dark greylsh brown to Grassland, Plains t < I~ slops. I-II very dark ~Tey clays over dark brown to dark gTeyish brou e2'+ hea~Fy ~lays, May have SOft a~3.d nodular calcium carbonate at depth. Ug 5.15: Ug 5.16.
A 10 O~key Moderately deep, dark bTown to Poplar box with Lower slopes on II reddish brow~ loams to clay occasional mou~taln ed@ of plain. P2~ loams over dark brown clays, coolibah+ Grassy 2-4~ slope, k2t 5oft and nodular calcium Qpen woodland+ carbonate may at depth+ Db 1~13.
5 5 Wa¢o Deep~ dark ~Tey or ~Teyiah Few poplar box, Drainage lines. II-III brown clays over brown to occasional I-2~ slope,, s2, w2+ gTeyish brown medium to Queensland blue heavy clays. UE 5.15+ ,8'um. Grassland0
S.B. AJ progress is made westwards~ the system becomes more and more mixed with small Islands of reddish brown soEls occurring wi~h the black earths i~e+ Ug 5~V soils. Small areas of Dalby and 31mbour land SyStemS may occur. [4) ~OOKSTEAD LAND SYSTEM (~7 650 ha) S UI,41v~,l~y
'a,) i.mnd System s Flat plains wi~b poplar box ~assy open woodland and dark g-rey hea~ clay moils.
Vegetation : Gramsy open woodland of poplar box the majority of which ham been cleared ~d cultivated. Geolo6~J ! Alluvial plains derived from '~ertiar~ basalts and d~asslc shales and sam%detente.
Diagrammatic Cross-Section of Land Units
LAND EST, SOIL BRIEF SOIL DESCRI~ION VEGETATION LA~fDFORM LAND CAPABX| UNI'~ ~ A~EA SERIES CLASS
I 85 Cecilvale Deep soils. Shallow' light brow11- Poplar box ~-rassy Plain~ $ome ~I ish grey sandy light clay surface open woodland, slightly slopin 6, k21 m2. over ~-rey to da~k browm~ish 6~rey generally cleared~ Some slight hea~-y clay with a slightl> ~eas of gTasSland, gilgai. ~I~ slope~ mo~tled® llght browzmish ~-rey clay at depth. Exposed a~ld cultivated show a thin fine s sundy layer on the s~face after rain~ Calci~ carbonate mat occur at depth~ Ug 5.24, ug 5~4o
2 10 M~rwybilla Deep soils~ Dark brownish ~cey BcatTered Queensland Minor drainage TI to black, coarse granular, hea%-y blue ~.am= Grassland. lines tb~cough k2, p~ w R claym a slightly mottledy are~. Some light bro~rnish ~rey subsoil at gilgai depth= May be calciu~u carbonate development. at depth~ U~ ~.15. U 6 5.16~
3 ~ Waco Deep soils,, Dark g-rey clay Grassland. Plains. Sli~ht Y-II ~n~adlng into browz*ish g-~ey gilgai develop- w2~ heavy clay at dept~o Calcium ment,, carbomate present. U~ 5,,15t Ug 5~16. (5) DAI25Y LAND SYSTEM (27 550 ha)
SUMMARY l~i Land System s Flat plains wlth poplar box ~TaSS7 open woodland and deep, Fay, 0rackln~ cla 7 soils. Soils ; Me,or soils are deep, ~Tey~ crackln~ clays with associated areas of tex¢~re--contrast soils and dark ¢rack:Ll~ Clays o (=) Ve~etatlon = G~assy open woodland of poplar box wlt~ assocla~ed species of wil~a, 7arran a~d boonaree. Isolated clumps of b~i~alow and belah also occur. (d) Geology ~ q~ate~ax-y alluvium derived mainly Trom Tertiary basalt with intermixed material derived ~rom the erosion of the Ju~asslc shies a~.~.d s~Lrldstones.
Dia~ra~matlc Cross-Section of Land Units
LAND ~ST. SOIL BRIEF S01L DESCRIPTION VEGETATION LANDFORM LAND CAPABILITY UNIT ~ AR~A SF~'~I~ CLASS
I 85 Cscilvale Deep soils~ thin ~ey sandy clay Poplar box ~assy pLsln m < |~ slope~ II-III surface over dark ~rey medium to open woodland, k2-3, P2, m~. heav~ clays over yellowish brown Some scattered clays. Some calcium carbonate may wilga. occu~ at depth. Ug 5=24 t Ug 5~.
2 IO Has Esmere Deep soils, dark yellowish brown, Poplar box ~rassy PEalns< I~ slope~ II-III ss~dy clay loam to clay loam o~er open wood~and, k2-D~ P2~ a dark ~Tey ~lay. Dd I*D~t Dd 1,~, Dd 1.13.
5 Killarney Deep soils, yellowish brown sandy Poplar box gTaSSy PlaAn, < 1~ slope. II-III to sandy loam surface over ~reyish open woodland with k2-3m P2~ brown or yellowish brown clays, yarran and Dy 2.13 8rid I~ 2 SOilS= wilga.
4 1 ~b~ILing Deep, dark 8Tey to very dark gTey Br~galowj belah Plain e II-III heavy clays over brown and &Tey open forest0 Some £11gal develop- k2-3, P2. brow~ clays. S~me calcium wi1~a, ment.< 1% slope. carbonate present. Ug 5.24~ Ug 5.25, Ug 5.28. 5 1 Waco Deep .soils~ dark ~rey or 6~rey Some Queensland Drainage lines~ Ill brown medium to hea~-y clays ever blue ~um, poplar f2p w2--3~ ~ey brown or brow~ clays, box and yarran. Ug 5.16 t Ug 5~,15. Malnly grassland= (6) JIMBOUR LAND SYSTEM (105 800 ha) SUMMARY
I~i Land System, Flat plalns with blue gTaSS .assla~d and dark, self-mulching ..... king, clay soils. Soils i Vary deep, d~rk~ self--mulching, cracklng clay soils (black earths)= Vegetation ~ Predominantly an open gTassland of Queensland blue 8TagS, yabila ~rass, rafts tail Fags sued paddock love i~rass. Queensland blue 6n~m t poplar box and rough-barked apple species occur along many of the drainage lines. (d) Oeolocy I QuEtez~aJ~ F alluvium derlved from Tertiary basalt to the east.
I 1+2 i: I J 2 3 i I 5 J I- Dia6ramtlc Cross-Sectlon of" Land Units
LAND EST. SOIL ~RIEF SOIL D~CRIPTION VEGETATIOK LANDFORM LA~D CAPABILITY UNIT ~ ARM S~IF~ CLASS
I 50 Wa=o Deep, fine ~ranular. very dark Blue Crass ~assland. Plains 0--o.5~ I-If &Teyleh brown to black self- slope. F2~ mulching clay surface, becomes bro~r with depkh and 8Tades into Not.led ~eyish b~ow31 a~d yellowish brown clays. Soft and nodular calcium carbonate may occur. Small Kilgals in virgin state. Ug 5.15. 2 ~0 Mywybilla Deep, very dark. coarse gTanular Blue @ass ~rsssland, Plains 0-O. 5~ II to medium blocky, brownish ~Tey slope, k2 [2 to black Clays over dark &Tey to P2p t dax'k ~Tey£sh brown medium ¢o heavy clay,, Sort and nodular calcium carbonate occur at depth. May have slight gil~is in virgin .tare, Ug 5.16. 3 10 Norillee Deep, dark brown to Erey claysp Blue grass gTassland. Slightly sloping I£ beoomlng llgh~er in eolour with Transitional e2. depth~ a light brownish between unirs &Tey heavy clay, Soft arid 1 and 2. nodular carbonate may be present at depth. Ug 5,~16~ 5 Ir~in~ Moderately deep~ very d~k ~rey Blue grass grassland Low slopes on II to ~ey b .... l~y ...... d~k with ...... ~tered ~ o~ plai~o brown medium to heavy clay. May poplar box and slope, e2~ be some slight gilgal or linear mou~taln coollbah~ gilgai present. Resembles un£r 6 of Weetbrook 1 (b) land system in some cases~ U~ 5.1~®
J 5 Waco Very deepp dark brown to black, Poplar box, Queensland DraLnage and II cracking, self-mulching clays blue gum, Grassy depressions~ [2. over a dark ~reyish brown open woodland, 0-0.2~ slope. medium ¢o heavy clay. Ug 5~15~ Ug 5.~6.
N,R. Land unite of Tlpton and Oskey land symtems may occur in this area as mapped. (7) MILLMERRAN LAND SYSTEM (25 900 ha)
SUR~ARy
Soils I SoEIB are mslnlF hard-settln~ loamy Soils wEth dark clayey subsoils. Vs~tatlon ; Grassy woodland bo Crassy open woodland of poplar box with associated species ot wil~a and yarr~# with scattered belah and Queensland blue Eum. (d) Geology | ~u~tex-na~/ alluvXum derived from Juasslc s~les and sandstones with some influence from Tertiary basalts.
1+2 ~ j i 4, / 2
i i Dia&Taramatic Cross-Se~tlon of Land Units
LAND E~To SOIL ~RIEF 5OIL DESCRIPTION VEGETATION LANDFORM LAWD CAPABILITY UNIT ~ ARE& SERI~ CLASS
I ~5 KiLlarney/ Moderately deep ¢o deep soils. Poplar box ~ressy Plain. III Haslemere Dark yellowish brown to dark woodland, k2, P2, m2-3~ brOWTl sa~JLdy clays and clay loams over dEk ~Tey or greyish brown clays. Hard-setting surface. Dd 2.33.
2 ~5 Haslemere Moderately deep to deep soils. Poplar box with Plain. III-IV Brown to &reylsh brown clay some scattered k3~ P2, m2-3. loam8 over a dark ~¢'Jreylsh WAlga and bela~ brown to brow~ sandy clays. G~assy open wood- Hard-setting surface. Dd I~3D~ land to woodland, Dd 1.~D.
D 12 Cecilvale Deep soils. Very dark ~'L"ey to Poplar box with DralnaKe lines III-IV yew dark brown clays over dark some ~ueensland and lower areas, k2~ w3. greyleh brown clays. Sometimes blue gu~ Grassy a hard--setting surface~ Ug 5.2~. open woodland.
8 Oakey Deep soilsm dark reddish brown ~o Poplar box woodland Plaln~ III dark brown s~undy clay foams over with some wil~a, kR_3t p21 a2 ~ reddish brown clays~ Calcium carbonate at depth° Hard--settlng surface, Dr 2.1)9 Dr ~°13~ (8) TIPTON LAND SYSTEM (126 150 ha)
SUMMARY (a) Land System t Plat plain with slL~ht undulations. Areas of open ~Tassland ~d £rln~ng £orest of ~ueensland blue river red &~m and belalle on deep, dark crackin~ clay soils. I~ I Sail, t Predominantly deep, dark ..... king clay soils with ..... lated ...... f s~u~ locus, tex~ ...... tram, VeSta, ion I Open grassland dominates the clay soils with Pr~nffing forests to woodland of Queensland blue ~nam. r red--and belalie~ Popla~box~ MoretonBay uh ~d rough--barked apple occur-on local sandier are (d) ~01o~ I Qua.emery alluvium derived from Terti~ basalt and intermixed with deposits from weathered duress shales s~d sandstones.
1÷2 ÷3+4
Diagrammati= Crome-Sectlon of Land Units
LAND ~STo SOIL BRIEF SOIL DESCRII~rION VEGETATEON LANDFORM LANDCLA~ CA BIl UNIT ~ AREA SERIES
| ~0 Anchorfleld Deep soils, ve~ dark brown heavy Blue crass Plalns, slight II claym grading to a mottled brown &Tassla~do gilRai present+ w2j P2. light clay subsoil. Calcium carbonate may be present at depth. Medium ~Tanula~ to flue to medium blocky surface structure+ Us 5.15.
2 25 Cond~a~ne Deep soils t very dark brownish ~rey Queensland blue Plan_nap generally rI tO Very dark &Tey clays gTadin~ 6~ua. Grassy open Lower th~ W2+ into ~ottled dark 8Tey brown ~d woodland, su~Tounding areas, f2. very dark bro~ heavy clays at depSh. Calcium oubonate present at depth. MmdLum grs~ulsu~ tO ~Ine t= medium BLocky surface structure. Ug 5° 15, ug 5. ;6.
~0 My1~rbLlla Deep soils. Dark ~rey clays ~Tading Blue &Tass Gently sloping II-III into a b~ownish ~rey heavy clay at ~Tass£a~d. plain. Slightly depth° Some calcium carbonate gilgaled, k2p P2--3+ occurs at depth~ Coarse 6T~nular to coarse blocky surface structure~ ug 5.16.
15 Haslemere Deep soils. A shallow brownlsh Queensland blue Plains, slightly II--III ~rey or light ~reyish brown sandy 6~xmw More.on Bay hi~ner than P2-~, loam to sandy clay loam surface ash and poplar surroundin~ k2P over a dark ~Teyish brown clay box, Grassy countryo subsoil~ May be mottled reddish woodland. brown. Calcium carbonate may occur at depth~ Dd 1 .~3.
5 5 Condamlne Deep soils. Brow31 to light Queensl~und blue River terraces, III brownish ~rey light clay surface gum, river rmd not always fD~ over a very dark brown or very ~um ~nd belalie, occnrrlng, err dark greyish brown healey clay. Grassy woodlaa~d Calcium carbertate occurs at to fringing ~orest.i depth. Ug 5.15+ Ug 5.16.
5 Cond-mine Deep soils, veDy dark brownish River red ~uu, Shallow IV-V ~ey clay becomL~ a mot~led ~ueensland blue depressions and yew dark brown -- d~rk ~Teylsh gum and belaile, minor ~alnage f~)--~l., ~L"om heavy clay at depth° [ Orassy open llnes. Swales. Calciu~ carbonate may occur, woodland.
Slmll ~ea~ of JimhouuP land system may oc©~T throughout this system an mapped. (9) ALLORA LAND SYSTEM (76 400 ha)
SU~m4ARY
(a) Land System s Alluvial plaln~ of deep, dark ~Teyt self-mulchln; clays supporting a t~Tassy open woodlsuDd of Queanola~d blue g~m LrAd rough-barked apple. (b) Soils ; ~Jor soilm occalc~in~ are deepp d~k ~sy, sel£-mulchlng clay soils. Associated areas of texture- con%rut soils occur. (¢) Ye~e$atlon s Grassy open woodland of ~ueensleund blue ~ and rough-barked appieo Associated species o~ popla~ box oeolUUl~ a~ad weep~ willows have beoome naturelised alon~ many of the streeu~ b~ks. (d) Geolo&~r I quate~na~"y alluvi~ derived from the adjacent Tertiary basalts and Jurassi= shales and sandstones.
I÷ 2 ÷4 I 2 4 I
IDla~J~matto Cross--Section O 'r Land Units
LAND EST. SOIL BRIEF SOIL DESCRIPTION VEGETATION LANDFORM LAND CAPABILITY UNIT ~ ARIA S~X~ CLASS
! 65 Mace Deept very dark gTey to black ~eenslsund blue Plain, valley II seLf-mulchlng clays over dark ~m and rough- floors, some f2, w2. brown clays. Hay be mottled, barked apple with slight gilgal Medium gTanular structuzed some weeping in virgin state. surface gradlng into fine to willows. Grassy medium blocky structure, tall open UK 5.15. woodland.
2 20 M3~wybilla Deep soils, very dark ~rey ~eensland blue Plain. Some IE to black self-mulchin~ clays ~nAm, some rou4Eh- slight gilgai in over ~ey or mottled ~re 7 barked apple and virgin state, k2' P2. clays. Coarse granular tO weepln~ willow. coarse blocky structured Grassy tall open s~face. Ug 5.16. woodland.
3 10 Irving Moderately deep soils, very Rough-barked apple, Sloping country II-III duk ~rey to ~reylsh brown Queensland blue ~u~ on edge of valley, d2. clays to light clay over and occasional 2-~ slope= e2--3' brown to dark 8Tey clays, poplar box or Linear gil~al. Ug 5.13, U~ 5.15. mounta]Ln coolLbah. Grassy open woodland.
5 Killarney Moderately deep to deep soils. Rough-barked apple, Plalnp often II Greyish brown to yellowish brown queensland blue ~m, near edge of k2, P2. sandy clay loam to sandy clay may be some poplar valley, e2' surface over brown or 8TSy brown box. Grassy open clays. Dd 1.3~i Dy 2.1~ Dy 2.3~. woodland.
Small areas of (Uf 6.11 ~Lr~d highly alkaline Uf 6.22) also occur. (10) EJEYBtr~N LAND SYSTEM (14 200 ha) su~R w (a) Land SyStea ! Alluvial plalrus of hard-settin~ texture-contrast soils wlth dark clayey subsoila. A~soclated trees are predominantly poplar box, fUZZy box and rough-barked apple. ~b) Soils s Soils are mainly hard-settlng, texture-contrast soils wlth a loamy or sandy loam surface over dark clayey subsoils. Aesoclated small areas of deep, dark grey clays also occur. (c) Vegetation s Predominantly a poplar box grassy woodland with assocEated species of fuzzy box, rough-barked apple, Queensland blue gum, narrow-leaved ironbark, bulloak and trey box. (d) Geolo~ t Quaternary alluvium derived from Jurassic shales and sandstones and Palaeozoic s~ndstonesp muds,ones and c engines rates.
D£agrama~ti¢' Cross-Section o~ Land Unite
CAPABILIT LAND EST. SOIL BRI~ SOIL DESCRIPTION VEG~ATION LANDFORM LANDcLAS s UNIT ~ AREA SERIES
1 ~O Leybuwn Moderately deep to deep soils, Poplar box, some Slightly II-IIE 8Teyish brown to very dark bulloak and &Prey elevated, k~4, P2, m2-D ~eyis h brown clay foams, box. Grassy gently sloping generally hard-settlngp over woodland, plain. <1~ slope, s2_]. yellowish brown to yellowish red clays. Carbonate concretLons at depth. Dy 2.33, Dy 2.43, ~ 2. 13.
2 20 Canal Moderately deep to deep soils, Poplar box with Plains, slightly II-lI[ 8Teyish brown foams to clay areas of fuzzy lower than unlt 1 k~ p~, m2_ ~ teams brown or very dark box and narrow- ~9 greyish brown clays. May be leaved ironbark, s2_3. mottled at depth. Generally Grassy woodland. hard.settlng surface. Dd 10~,
3 15 Canal Deep soils, dark grey or very Queensland blue Creeks and III-IV dark gre 7 sandy clay foams to Eum and rough-barked drainage lines. [~~p k2-3, P2 clay foams over very dark Fay apple. Grassy wood- or dark ~Te7 medium clays, land. Dd 1.33, Dd 1.13.
10 Canal Moderately deep soils, hard- Narrow-leaved iron- Slight slopes on III eet~J1g ¢reyiJh brown or dark bark with soma edge o~ valleF, e~ k2, po 7ellowlsh brown sandy loam ¢o poplar box and grey 2-4~slope. "' --' Loam surface over grey or dark box. Open forest. ~eyish brown clays. Dd 1.33.
5 5 Cunnlngham Deep so£1s, dark grey or very queensland blue Eum Lower p~alns, IV dark grey, li~ht to medium clays and rough-barked sometimes ~ay be over very dark grey medium to apple. Grassy open waterlogged . w3-4, f2-3- heavy clays. Ug 5.~, ~g 5-25" WOodlau~d. (II) WARWICK LAND SYSTEM (120 250 ha)
SUMMARy
(a) Land SysZe~ ! D4sse~ted low hills to undulating plains with narrow-leaved ironhark, ~umhle-down ~um and ~rey boK open fores% to layered open fores% and hard-se~tlng texture--contrast soils. (b) Soils ~ Major soils are hard-settlng, texture-contrast soils w~th a sandy loam to loamry surface over yellowish ~Tey clay subsoils. (c) Vegetation ~ Layered open forest to open forest of narrow--leaved ironbark, tumble-down ~ and grey box. A wattle understorey often occurs. Associated species of cypress plne~ bulloak~ rusty gum and Moreton Bay ash on sandier areas ~nd Queensland blue ~um and rough-barked apple in drainage lines. (d) Geolo~ I Dissected J~ssic shales and sandstones.
4 4
Diagra.eaatic Cross--Section of Land Units
LAND EST. SOIL LAND CAPABILITY UNIT ~ AREA SERIES BRIEF SOIL DESCRIPTION VEGETATION LANDFORM CLASS
I 30 ~endon Shallow to moderately deep soilap Narrow-leaved iron- Upper long III-l~ hard-setting, ~Tey brown %0 vez~ bark, some tumble- slopes. Slope ks, PS, dark ~eyish brown sandy loam to down ~m with a 6-8~ or steeper, e3-A, loam surface yellowish brown wattle underPtorey, m or greyish brown medium to heavy Layered open forest, clays over decomposln~ sandstone, May be rock fra~-mentm on ~he ~urface. Subsoil mottled. Dy 3-|2, Dy 3.32, Dy 3.31,
2 25 Morgan Moderately deep to deep so~is, Narrow-leaved iron- Mid and lower III-IV ~Teyish brow. and dark g~ceyish bark, some rough- slopes. Long e3_A, ks, p9 brown sandy loam to loam surface barked apple, grey slopes. 51ope ~' overlyln~ yellowish brown medium box and fuzzy box. 4-8~o m~_3, aS, to hearty clays. Dy a.12, Dy 2.23, Layered open forest. Dy a.43.
3 ]5 Allan Moderately deep to deep soils. Grey box, rough- Long slopes, III 4--6~. Hard-setting, reddish brown to barked apple, slope ~, P2-3, very dark g~eylsh brown sa~Idy tumble-down gum as_D, k~ loam surface overlying a reddish and narrow-leaved aS. brown clay. Sometimes ~ravel or ironbark® Layered coarse sand present. Dr 2.93t open forest. Dr 2.32.
4 10 Hendon/ Shallow to moderately deep soils~ Narrow-leaved iron- Hill=tops~ V-VI Morgan hard-setting, very dark greyish bark with some either flat e3-4, P3, m3-4, bro~ fine sandy loam surface bulloak and ~rey topped or over yellowish brown to light ~ey box. May be wattle rounded, n3, d3_4. medium TO hea~y clays. Some ~Tit understorey. Layered Slope 3--~* and rock fragments and may be open ~rest. mottled at depth. Some rock outcrops occur. D~ 2.12 t IYy 2.11~ Dy 3.12, Dy 3.71.
5 7 Bony Very shallow skeletal soils. Dark Narrow-leaved Drop-eEls or IV-V[ ~Tey or ~reFish brown sandy foams0 bark~ with some steep hillsides. P3, m M~y be bleached horizon over parent wattle understorey. Slope 10-15% or e~-6' 3- , material. Some rock outcrops Grassy woodland, isteeper, n3, d3_ ~ Uc ~=]2, Uc ~012,
6 5 Junabee Moderately deep to deep soils. Ver~ Narrow-leaved iron-- Mid slopes. III dark grey to very dark brown medium bark and areas of Slope 3--~- e2_3, kS, nR_3, clays over dark ~rey to brown clays, poplar box. Open Sometimes stony. Linear gil~ai forest to woodland. Ug 5-13, Ug 5.14. 7 ~ G~lly Moderately deep to deep~ very dark Grey box, fuzzy box, Valley floors II ~reyish brown to dark 8Teyish bro~ ~ueensland blue ~um ;8.rid dralnage k~, PS, sSo sandy loam to clay Loam surface over and rough-barked lines. Slope ~Teyish brown to light bro~rnlsh gre~ apple. Grassy 2-~. sandy clays, 6enerally mottled, woodland. Dy ~.2a, Dy 2.23, Dy 3.13, Dy 3.22.
8 3 Drome Moderately deep, ~Tey and ~reyisb Rusty Eum, spotted Isolated sandy III-IV brown sands and sandy loams~ some ~'~m or Moretom Bay rises and flat m3_4, n~_3. deep red to red brown sands. Brown ash. May be to sll~htly ~d yellowish brown clays may or may associated wi~h undulatin~ areas not occur. Uc 1~2~ Um 1.~. ~ome cypress pine, Slope 1-3~. b~lloaM~ narrow- leaved ironbark, tumble-down ~um and a wattle understorey. Layered open forest.
Small areas of P~igrave land system Occur throughout this area as mapped. {12) GOOM~U~GE~ LA~D SYSTEM (32 950 ha) SUmmARy
(a) ~d System | Dissected low hills to ~u~dulatlng plains wtth narrow-leaved Ironbark layered open forest and hard- Setting textiLes--contrast soils. (b) Soils | Soils ar~ predominantly hard-settin~ texture--contrast soils with yellowish grey clwsubsoiis. Dept varies from ve~ shallow to ~oderately deep soils. (C) Veto,allen I Predominantly a layered open forest to open forest of narrow-leaved ironbark with associated specie oT Z~asty p~ spotted ~um: t~eady bark she-oaks and hultosk. A wattle undsrstorey is common. Oth lees commonly associated species are fUSSy box, ~sy boa. dooood and "softwood scrub". (d) Geolo~ ; Dissected Jurassic shales and sandstones.
Dia~T~atlc Cross--Sectlon of Land Units
SOIL SZRIES BRIEF SOIL DESCRIPTION V~GETAT~nN LANDFORM LAND CAPAB] CLASS
Goombun~se Moderately deep soils, maybe sand- Mixed vegetation of Lon~ slopes. III stone outcrops, ~Tey or KTeylsh narrow-leaved iron- ~-8~ slope. ] brown sandy looms to looms over bark. fuzzy box, ~um e3' k2"3' medium ¢o hea~y, yellowish brown topped box, r~sty ~um m2_3, or 8reyish brown, clays over spotted ~um, poplar n2. decomposing sandstone. Dy 2.~1, box, bulloak and some Dy 2.~2 and Dy 2.1, Dy 2.3. fuzzy box. Layered open forest.
Ridge Sh~llow soils, Arey to dark grey Narrow-leaved iron- Broad rldEe IV sand or sandy looms over yellowish bark, spotted ~m, tops. 5-10~ cA, m3_A, ¢ brown or reddish brown clays over with some bulEoak, slope. decom~oslng sandstone~ some sand- rusty R~un. wattle t k stone outcrops say occur. Dy 2.12, do~wood and softwood 2-3, P2-D~ Dr 2.1, Dr 2.4. scrub. Shrubby wood- land. i Douglas Moderately deep, dark 8Tey to very Grey box, fuzzy box, Lower slopes. EV dark stay, sandy loam to loam over odd poplar box. soft- 6-8~ slope, e~, k3~ P3, a yellowish brown or a dark yellow- wood scrub bushes and ish brown clay. May be stony, may be some brlgalow n2. DF 2.~t Db 1.1 (Db103). SLed/or belah. Open forest to shrubby woodland.
Ooom~ee Shallow soils, gTey to ~eylsh Narrow-leaved iron- Mid and upper VI brown sand to sandy loam over bark~ occasional slopes. 8-12~ t6, d6, k2. ye~lowish brown clays. May hav~ spotted Eum, plus slope. occasional rock outcrops or stony "softwood scrub" and P2-3~ U), areas. Dy 2.12. Dy 2.32. Dy 3.~. wattles= Shrubby Dy ~.~. woodland. i Wattle Very shallow, rocky soils. Hay be Spotted gum. rusty Rock-/ hilltops. ! VI-VII Glen large rock outcrops. Soils grey tel ~Jm t narrow-leaved Some fairly flat! t6. d6, dark ~rey sandy to sandy looms over ironbark, with a topped. Slope rs' decomposing sandstones. UC 1.2, wattle and dogwood ~-I0~. k~. PD, m~_ Uc ].~, u~derstorey. Some thready bark she-oak, n~. Layered open forest.
Wattle Very shallow, ofte~ rocky or stony. Spotted ~um, ru~ty Very steep, VIII Glen Some pure rock. Grey or dark grey gum, narrow-leaved rocky upper t7_8, d6_8, sandy tO s~u~dy teams in~ermlxed ironhark, with a slopes auld with rock. Uc 1.~, Um 6.2. wattle and do~wood drop-oils. understorey. Layered 20~ or r~_3, k~, open forest, steepe~ slope . m~_~, n~.
~attle Shallow soils, some rock~ outcrops, Narrow-leaved iron- Steep mid and VI Glen/ Fay to dark ~ey sandy loam to bark, with some lower slopes, t6, d~, ~ouglas loamy surTace, vailing in depth spotted ~um, rusty Less than 20~ e~, over reddish brown or yellowish &~mand occasional slope. brown clays over decomposing cypress pine or bull- n2' s2" sandstone. Dy 2.12, Db 1.12. [ oak. Wattles Kener- Um 6.2. I ally present. Layered open forest.
GoEen Moderately deep, dark bro~ to Grey box~ ~ueenslsuld Drainage lines Ill dark ~TSyish brown, sandy or blue g~m, rough-bark- and valley s~y Seams over dark ~rey or ed apple, poplar box floors, i k2"3' Dy~reyishi.12,brownDy 2.2.clays" Dd 1.12, 0penandsomeforest.fuzzy box. 2-~ slope, i n2' s2°
Goo~ren Moderately deep ~Tey or ~Teylsh Rough-barked apple. Valley floors. Ill brown sandy clay loams ~o clay fuzzy box, ~,~m- e2, k2=3, looms over ~Teyish brown or topped box, poplar ve~F dark brown clays. D~ 1.1~. box and some m2, hi. s2. or UR ~.]t U~ ~.Z. Queensland blue gums. Layered open forest to woodland.
Unite of Wee,brook and Acla~d l~nd systems may occur in this area as mapped. (13) EHU VALE LAND SYSTEM (27 800 ha)
(a) L~nd System ~ Dissected low hills to umdulatin~ plains with layered open forest of belah t wilga and ~ey box with areas of "soTtwoed sorub" and sedentary light clay soils predominate. I~ I Soils * Maj .... il ..... hallow to moderately deep, sedentary and coEluvlal, light to medium clays. Vegetation ~ Layered open forest of belah, Fey box and wilga. Am soclated areas of "softwood scrub" occur on many hilltops and upper slopes. (d) ~olo~ z Dimseoted Jurassic shales and sandstones (Walloon Coal Measures).
DiatTammatic Cross-Section of Land Units
LAND EST* SOIL LANI~ CAPABILITY UNIT ~ ARZA SERIES BRIEF SOIL DESCRIPTION VEG~ATION LANDFORM CLASS
] 20 Gladfleld Moderately deep soils, very dark Dominan:ly belah RoUnded or III grey to dark brown light to with wllga and gently sloping d2, m2o medium clays, weakly self- some softwood htllbops. ~-6~ e3* mulchlng, over dark brown clays, scrub speclea, slope. Ug 5.23, Ug 5.13. Layered open forest,
2 20 Jingmrry Deep soils, dark grey to very Belah, wilga with Mid to lower III-IV dark ~reylsh brown medium tO some ~Tey box. slopes. ~-S~ e3_A. light clays a dark brown Layered open slope. tO very dark brawn medium to forest. heavy clay. Ug 5.25.
3 15 Dande~oo Deap soils, very dark grey Poplar box. ~rey Valleys and II medium to hea~/ clays over box and occasional drainage lines. very dark brow~ =lays. belah and rough- 2-4~ slope, e2, ~2. Ug ~.25, Ug 5.15p Ug ~.16. barked apple. WoodlSLnd.
4 15 Jingar~ Moderately deep, very dark Grey box with Long slopes. Ill-Iv grey medium clays over scattered beiah, 4-8~ slope. yellowish brown clays~ 5e~t wil~ and poplar 511gbt gilgal, eD-~" d2" and nodular calcium carbonate box. Woodland. occurs. Ug 5.13, Ug 5.23, Ug ~.2~.
12 Gladfleld Some sandstone outcrops. Mainly softwood Steep upper YI-VII Shallow soils. Greyish scrub with some slopes 8-20~ ~-6, t0-7, brown to reddish brown belah. Open scrub, or steeper light clay over yellowish slope, d;-6 t m3-~. brown clays. Ug 5.12.
6 10 Junahee Moderately deep soils, very Grey box with Broad ridges. II-III dark ~Tey to dark ~rey light occasional narrow- 3-6~ slope, e3_4, d2. clays over dark grey to dark leaved Ironbark and brown clays. UE 5.13, Ug 5.1~. belah. Wood£and.
7 8 Gladfleld Sandstone outcrops. Very Softwood scrub, Ver-~r steep - VIII shallow, ~Teylsh brown to open scrub, at base of e4_6, t7_8, dark ~reytsh brown light ranges. 20-30~ clays yellowish brown or steeper d6_8, to light yellowish brow~ slope. medium to heavy clays over parent material, Ug 5.23.
N.B. Small areas of Westbrook and Yarwick land systems may occur throughout the area. (14) MOOLA LAND SYSTEM (20 900 ha) su~, T
(aS Land System s Dissected low hills to undulating plains with layered open forest of brlgalow, belah and wil~ with cracklrqE clays a~d loamy texture-contrast soils, Ibl Soils , MaJ .... iX .... dark text ...... trast soil .... pper slop .... d gr.y .... ki~ clays on 1 ..... lopes. Ve~etation i P~redomlnantly bri~alow, balah and wil~a Layered open ~orest with associated areas o~ -so/tweed scrub" the b~salt knolls, Poplar box. yarran and myall a~e sore common in the d~alna~s lines. (d) Gaolo~ | Dissected Jurassic shales and s~ds¢ones (Valloen Coal Measures). Associated Tertiar~ basalt knolls thro~qEhout the area.
Dia~amma/;Ic Croas-Sectlon of Land Unltl
LAND BST. SOIL BRI~ SOXL DESCRIPTION VEGETATION LANDFORM LAND CAPABILI UNZT ~ ~A S~IES CLASS
1 45 Moola Moderately deep to deep soils. Belah, wllga, Mid and lower II-IIl Very dark &Tey to dark ~ey brigalow and slopes and P2. loamy to clay loam surface, bottle tree. broad hilltops e2-3' k2' over very dark ~Tey or a L~yered open 4-6~ slope, mottled brownish yellow and forest. &~rey medium to heavy clay. So~t and nodular calcium carbonate may occur at depth. Dd 2.1~, some Ug 5.2~.
2 25 MalllrqE Deep sells, very dark grey to Brigalow, belah, Drair, a~e lines II very dark ~-reylsh brown medium wilga , with some and valleys, e2, w2. clays overlying a dark grey myall and Fatten. 1-~% elope. medium to heavy Clay. Ug 5.2~, Layered open Ug 5.25,eome Ug 5.15v U K 5.16. foresT.
3 15 ~dgefleld Deep soilsw dark grey to very Brlgalow t belah, Lower elopes, ll-III dark grey clays ~rading into seat,.red poplar 2-~ slope. dark brown or dark greyish box. Open forest e2, k2, P2. brown clays. Ug 5022 I Ug 5.23. to woodland,
10 yarranlea Moderately deep, very dark Belah, wilga and Upper slopes. III bro~r~ to dark reddish brown "softwood scrub". 4-8~ slope, e2-3, k2, P2. saundy loams to sandy clay Layered open foams over dark brown clays. Torest to shrubby Slight gilgai micro-relief, woodland. Calcium carbonate at depth. Dd 2.1~, Dd 2.~3. Db 2.1, Db 1.1.
5 5 hell Shallowp stonyp grey or dark Predominantly Stony hilltops. V-VI grey e~ndy loams to loams ove~ "softwood scrub". 10--15% slope, e4_6. t6, r4_ sandstone or grey to dark grey loams to clay loams with d3_~, m3. basaltic rocks. Us 6.21. some Uc soils.
Small areas o~ Goombuungee and Vestbrook land systems may occur in this area as a~pped. (15) BELL LAND SYSTEM (4 550 ha)
SUMMARY
(a) Land System i Dissected low hills to undulating plalns wi~h brlgalow~ belab and wilga open forest ¢o layered open ~oree~ and d~rk reddleh brown teK%~a-contras~ soils on the slopes and heavy clays in the valEeys. (b) Soils | M~or soils are alkaline, dark reddish brow~ texture-contrast soils on sloping areas and dark reddish b~o',vn heavy clays in the valleys. [c) Ve~tatlon I Layered open forest to open forest of b~igalow~ belah and wilga with assxiated areas of "softwood scrub". Poplar box and grey box occur as associated species in drainage lines. (d) Geolo~ | Dissected Jurassic shales and s~undstones. (Hutton sandstones and ~ve~&Tsen formation). A~sociated Tert~ basalt k:no¢ls occur throughout the area.
Dia~rmmtlc C~oss-section of Land Units
LAND EST. SOIL BRIEF SOIL DESCRIPTION VEGETATION LA/~DFORM LAND CAPABILITY UNIT ~ AREA SERIES CLAS~
1 25 Norbell Deep to moderately deep soils. -i Brigal°wt belah Broad ridges. Ill Some sandstone or surface~ dark and wilga plus ~-6~ slope. P2, dr reddish brown to dark brown softwood e2t "" foams ¢o clay foams overlying scrub species. reddish brown medium to heavy Layered open clays. Dr 2.1~0 forest .
2 20 Walker Moderately deep to deep soils. Belah, brigalow t Valley floors II Vex~ dark brown to dark reddish with some wil~a and drainage e 2 brown foams to sandy foams and poplar box. lines. 2--4~ " dark reddish brown to reddish Open Tores¢ to slope. brown clays. Decomposing sand- woodland . stone at depth. May be some gil~ai development. Dd 2.13.
3 15 Malllng Deep soils. Dark reddish brown Poplar box 0 with Valleys and II tO reddish brown clays over dark grey box. dralna~e lines. reddish brown hea~ clays. May Belah and wil~-~. 2-4~ slope, e2' w2* be some caEclum carbonate present Open forest ¢o and some gLlgal development, woodland . Ug 5.15, Ug 5.25°
10 Walker Moderately deep soils. Dark red- Brlgalow, belah, Mid to lower III dish brown clays or clay foams wilga and scattered slopes. ~--6~ e2_), k2. dark reddish brown medium to poplar boA. Open slope, heavy clay~ Moderate gilgai may forest . be present. Dd 2.13.
5 }O Herbal1/ Moderately deep soils. Dark red- Narrow-leaved iron- Stony ridges. Knoll dish brown t ~andy foams to sandy bark t wilga and 6-S~ slope, e~-4, P2, d2-3, clay foams overlytng reddish brown, softwood scrub often mottLed~ clay over decompos- species. Layered rA_5. ing sandstone. Some sandstone open fo~ss¢ . rocks on surface. Dr 3.13~ Dr 2.13. Dy 2.13 with some Um and Ue sQils.
6 !0 Norbell ShaElow ¢0 moderately deep soils. ~oftwood scrub, Steep upper V-VI Some sandstone outcrops. Dark bottle trees and slopes and e4-6m ~4, P2-3, reddish brown to reddish brown acacia species, hilltops. looms over dark reddish brown Open scrub . 8-TO~ or d3_4. to y~llowish bro~ clays over-- steeper lying decomposing sandstone, slope. Dr 2.13~ Dy 2.1~.
N.B* Units of Yestbrook and Goombungee land systems may occur. (~) ACLAMD LAND SYSTEM (~6 850 ha) s~q~(aRY (!) ~ BylteI S DiIsaOtld low hills to undulating plains with layered open forest of hri~alow~ belah and w~lga a, al~l£ne text~e-~ontrast soils on upper slopes and crackin~ &Tey clays on lower slopes. (b) SOILS $ Major BOilS are b~own alkaline texture-contrast BOLLS on mid and upper slopel, O~ lower slopes valley floors moderately deep tO deep, ~Tey and ~reyish brown clays predominate. (e) Ve~etstlon I Laye:ed open forest o[ hri~low~ belah and wilBa wLth areas of -softwood scrub" on the steep ~no and poplar box and Wail associated with the drainage lines. (d) I~eo]Lo~r S Dissected Jurassic shales ~nd sandstones (Walloon Coal Measures). Associated Tertiary basalt kn octet th~oud~hout %he area.
' 1 Dia~Tal~ic Cross-Bection of Land Units
LAND EST. SOIL BRIEF SOIL DESCRIIYPION VEGETATION LANDFORM LAND CAPJ UNIT ~ AREA BF~RIES CLASS
I 50 Su~rloaf/ M~erately deep to deep soils. Belah, wllga with Mid slopes, lib lq~lli]rqE Very dark ~rmFish brown clay some brl~alow. 4-8~ slope, e2_D, k~~v Eoams to clay over dark brown Layered open clays. Dd 2.13. ~ 1.1~1 forest. Ug 5.25. U~ 5.23, U~ 5.15.
2 15 ~alli~ Deep soils, very dark ~Tey ~o ~brigalow t belah 9 Valley floors [I d~k ~eylsh brown =lays wl16a with Sole and lower slopes e2~ k2. very dark ~rey to dark ~Tey poplar box and 2-~% slope. medium to heavy clays. Ug 5,16t myall. Open U~ 5.15~ U~ 5.2~. forest .
3 15 Suguloaf Shallow ioils I soletiRs stony t -Softwood scrub" Bread rldBe III-] reddish brown ~o yellowish ~ed species. Some crests and e3_A~ r~v IemJ1dy clay loams to clay loams wilga. Open upper slopes. over a brown to yellowish brown scrub. 5-8~ slope, d3_4. clay overlyln~ dec omposin~ sandstone, Dd 2.13, Dy 2.1~.
1~ BuKarlo~f/ Hoderately deep, vex-y dark brown "So/tweed scrub" Upper slopes. 11I-I Valker ~o dark reddish brown loam to species I Wilga 8-1~ slope, e3_A, m2_ clay looms over a dark yellowish and belah. brown etay~ Soletimes ~Tit~y, Layered open d2_3, D~ 2.13, I[k:l 1.13. Dd 2.13. forest.
5 5 Knoll Shallowl generally stony~ either "Softwood scrub". Steep, rocky VII-~ basaltic caps or sandstone out- Open scrub . hilltops and crops, Dark reddlsh brown sandy knolls. 10--15~ eA--6~ t6" looms to looms overlying weathered or steeper d6. s~ndsto~. Uc soils~ Um 6.21, slope, m_~,
Units of Goomhungee and Westi~-ook land systems may occur in this area as mapped. (17) ROCKY C~EK LAND SYSTEM (6 100 ha) SU~AIy
(a) LAnd System ~ Dissected low hills to tu~dulatlng plains with layered open forest of brlgalow, belah, wilga and black tea tree ~nd ~ey, craek/n~ clay soils. (b) Solla I Ma~or soils are moderately deep to deep gray~ cracking clays w~th associated small areas of alkaline texture-contrast soils. (0) Vegetation ~ Layered open forest Of briRalow ~ bel~ Wil~a and black tea tree with associated areas of mallee box, poplar box and ,softwood scrub-. (d) Geolo~ i Oalnosolc sediments with associated areas of Ju~sss4c shales sutd sandstones ~nd Tertiary basalt k~olls.
Diasrammatic Crosm-Sectlon of Land Units
LAND ~T* SOIL LAND CAPABILITY UNIT ~ AREA SERIES BRIEF SOIL DESCRIPTION VEGETATION LANDFORM CLASS
! 35 Gate Deep soils. Dark greylsh brown Brigalow, belah, Slopes and broad TII to very dark gTey clays over wilga. Layered ridges, ~-6~ e2-3, g2-3, ~rey clay,s or dark yellowish open forest, slope. Moderate brown clays. Ug 5.2~, Ug 5.25, gilgai develop- P2. ment.
2 25 Gate Deep soils. Very da~k ~rey to ~£galow, belah, Slightly undul- lIE very dark ~reyish brOWTA clays wilga and sting. Low over ~Tey clays or yellowish ional black tea rises. Moderate e2-3, g2-D, brown clays at depth. U~ 5.22, tree0 Layered gilgal develop- k2. Ug 5.23, U~ 5.24, Ug 5.25. open foresT, merit. ~-5% slope.
15 Emlyn/ Moderately deep to shallo~ soils. Brlgalow, belah, Mid slopes. 3-6% III-I~ Gate Generally grey to veE"y dark BTey wilga v some slope. Some clay foams to clays over dark western tea tree, gilgai dsvelop- e3-4' d3-4" yellowlsh brown clays. Some &Tey box and mallee ment. areas of brown and reddish brown box. Layered open foams and clay loam sturfaces, forest. Ug 5.22, Ug 5.2De Dd 1.~3.
15 Emlyn Shallow to moderately deep soils. Mixed softwood Upper slopes and YI-YlI Dark reddish brow~ dark brown scrub~ brigalow, steep areas. 8-10~ and ~reyish brown clays or clay wil~, poplar box or steeper slope, e~-6' t6* loams over brown~ dark yellowlah and some narrow- m~_~ brown and pale brown clays. Some leaved lronbark, d~. sandstone rock outcrops may oc~ur, grey box and Ug 5.13, Dy ~.ID, Dd 1.1D. mallee box. Layered open forest tO shrmabby woodland.
10 Mallin~ Deep soils. Dark ~rey to very Brlgalow~ belah DrainmKe lines II--III dark grey sandy light clays to wll~a and poplar and valleys, e2, k2~ p~ clays over ~rey and ~reyish box. Some ~" brew~ clays. Ug 5.25, U~ ~.2~, of black tea tree. Ug 5.15, Ug ~.16. Layered open forest.
N.B. Som~ basalt knolls occur wltbln the area. Small areas of Warwick land system have also been included w£thln the area as mapped, (16) GR~YMA.RE LAND SYSTEM (52 250 ha) s~ (I) La~d SysCem I ~eply dissected to hilly areas with an open forest to layered open forest of New ~gland blac~butt, NeW England peppermint~ rusty ~um~ ~rey box and narrow-leaved ironbark and ~ey sandy loams and sands over ~Tit~y clays, (b) Soils I Major soils a~e ~-rey sandy foams a~d sands over ~Tltty clays, Depths varies considerably a~d in some @~ses ~i-~u~ite tots oecmt~ on the s~rface= (o) Ve~%atlon t open fores% %o layered open forest of New England blaekbutt, New Englsund peppelnnint~ r~/sty ~um~ ~Tey box and n~ow-leaved Ironbark oocurs on the steep, often stony rld~es, On the less steep areas, narrow- Leaved Ironbark~ Blakelyls red ~ a~Id ~-Fey bo~ occur with associated species of ~ellow box, b~lloak~ ~us~y ~ ~d ~Taee tree. Queensland blue ~2~m~ ~UZZy box, poplar box ~nd rough-barked apple occur ~n valley floors. A wattl~ understore7 may occur throughout the a~ea~ (d) Geolo~ 1 DiasecSed lower ~iaasic ~Tanites, ~aodiorite and adamellite~
Dia~amm~tic Cross-Section of L~nd Units
LAND ~T. SOIL BRIEF SOIL DESCRIPTION VEGETATION LA~FDFORM LAND CAPABILITY UNIT ~ AREA SERI~ CLAS~
7 17 Tlrrner Shallow to moderately deep soils~ ~ax-row-leaved ironbark~ M~d a~d lower III-[V Greyish b~ow~% to dare gTeyieh brown ~rey box t yellow box, slopes, 4-6~ eD_~, k~t seuudy loams over greyish broa~n a~d Blaielyts red ~ ~nd slope. ~ey gravelly ~uld gritty clays to some wattle speciesw Pl-3t d~-5, saund7 clay loams~ Dy 2~47,, Layered open fo~est~ m2_3, n3~
2 17 Turner/ Occasional boulders and ~ock ~axn~ow-leaved ~ronbark t Lon~ slopes Ill-IV Seven outcrops. Greyish brow~ to Biakelyls red ~"~m, some 4--~ slope, e3_~, r3_~, dark b~own l a~l~y loams to rlisty Eum and bulloak. sand7 clay ioams over g~zeylsh Layered open fores~ k2' m2-3~ R3~ brown ~ritty clays over to woodland. decomposlng ~anite. Dy 3.62, Dy 3.6~. %T Hsrries ShalLow ~o moderately deep soilsp Rusty Lump ~Te~ box, Hill tops and VII-VIII ~rev a~d dark ~Tey &-ritty sandy some spotted &~Im, rough rock e4-6, ~6-7, loam or sandy surface narrow-leaved ironbark, outcrops~ ~teep over decomposlng ~-raxiite~ ireaB ~ew England hlaekbutt t upper slopes, rA-5~ m~-~9 of ~nca-~ite tore and rock outcrops New En~laxld peppermin~,~ 70--15~ slope, d4_~ n3_~, Occur throughout the ~rea, Uc ~27, Open forest=
7S Tumne~ Shallow to moderately deep sotls~ Narrow-leaved ironbark, Lower slopei~ of VI-Vll Some ~s~lite r~cks to surface= some yellow box~ ~rey steep hills, e~_6~ tg~ ~rey and ~Teyi~h brow~ sandy loam bo~, New England black- S-10~ slope~ surface over ~ey to yellowish buht, Blakelyes red ~um r~, m3,.4 ' hro~n~ sandy ,clays and sandy clay an.d tumble-down ~um with d~_D, n3_4® Ioexns ~ver decomposing Eranlte= wattle spscles~ Dy 3o62~ Layered open foremt~
5 70 Seven Moderately deep to deep soils= Narrow-leaved ironbar~, Lowe~ slopes and llZ Oceaslo~l rock outcrops~ yellow box, ~cey fla~s= 2-4~ e S~, r3~ k2~ G~nerally, ~-/ey sandy bo~, Blakely~s red ~ ~iopeo ioau~s OVeT ~ey ~und ~reyish a~d f~zzy box. Open m2--3~ ~3 brow~ s~dy loams to clay loams~ foree~ to woodland~ 3.51 some Dd soils.
6 70 Stock Few rocky outcrops, ~-~ey to Narrow--leaved ironbark, Broad hill tops. II-ll[ ~Teyish brown ~TitZ7 sandy loans rough-barked apple~ A--6~ slope, e3_~ r3_~, brownish ~rey to Xi~ht rust~ ~um and ~2 P2, yellowish brown gritty clays or bulloak. Layered upen ~ m2-s, sandy clays, often mottled over forest, n2. shallow decomposin~ ~ite~ ~y 3=51, Dy 3.62. 7 7 StooL/ ~ome ~anits rocks on surface. Narrow-leaved ironhark, Upper slopes and III-IV Seven Coarse grey sandy loam to ~ltty Blakely~s red ~um, some elevated e3_A, r3_~, sands over ~Tey sandy clays ~ver scattered ~-rass trees flat ~reas~ k2 ' m2--), decomposlng ~-raxlite. I~y 3.5|s and r~J~ty ~um~ Open A--8~ slope. Dy 3.62. forest, n3~
8 5 Ironpo~ Moderately deep soile~ Vex~F dare Rough-barked apple~ Valley floors III brown to dart ~Tey clay loams to fuzzy box, some and dr~J~na~e s saldy clays dark ~reyish Queensland blue ~Im lines. 2--3~ el, ~2, m31 brown to brown sandy clays, Some and wattle ~pecles. slope, nl. coarse sands %0 ~avelly decom-- Open forest to posing ~T~nite. ~Y 5.~ Dy 5.1. woodland.
9 5 I~onpo~ Similar %o unit S, bu~ tend ~o Grey box, yellow box~ Valley floors II-III have s~ndy loam surface over Queensland blue ~um~ aLr~d draixaage ell k2~ d2~ light clays and sandy clays, some fuzzy box and lines. D~ ~®1 and Dy 5.1 soilee rough--barked apple~ mR_3~ n~ 0pea forest to I woodland.
Are~e of P~l~Tave and small areas of Warwick latnd systems may occur in this area as mapped. (19) PALGRAVE LAND SYSTEM (19 450 ha) SUMMARY (S) Land Systeml Deeply dissected to hilly terrain wlth narrow-leaved ironbark, dusky-leaved ironbark) yellow box and wattles layered open forest and stony llthosols to moderately deep texture-contrast soils. (b) Soils | Sandy to loamy llthosols occur on hilltops and upper slopes. On lower slopes~ ~rey and ~reyish brown sandy loam to clay loam. texture.contrast soils occur. (C) Ve~e~a~ion | Layered open forest to open forest of narrow-leaved ironbark, dusky-leaved ironbark and wattles on steeper areas with associated species of yellow box, tumble-down ~um and ~rey box on lower areas. ~ueensl~nd blue gum, yellow box, fuzzy box and rough-barked apple occur in dralna~e lines. (d) Geology ~ Dissected Palaeozoic interbedded sandstones and mudstone) In,reformational con~lomerate) chert, Jasper# ~deslte and Limestone. (Tex~s beds).
V Dia~rassuatle Cross-Section of Land Units
~T. SOIL LAND CAP.ABILITY UNIT ~ AREA SERIES ERIE~ SOIL DRSCRIPTION VEGETATION LANDFORM CLASS
I RO Thane Shallow igrey to Erey[sh brown, Narrow-leaved iron-- Steep mid slopes. VI-VII t6_~, stony and ~Tavelly loam over bark, dusky-leaved Io-15~ or steeper P3t yellowish brown to reddish ironbarkt some slope. brown stony clay parent spotted ~um and a r4-5, s3, material. Some rock outcrops wattle understorey. occur. I~ 3.3, Dy 2.33, Layered open forest, m3.~ , n3. Dr 2.1, Dr 2.2.
2 20 Thane Moderately deep soils. Grey Narrow--leaved iron- Lower slopes. IV-V to 6--10~ slope, k3) verv dark g~-ey loamy surface) bark, tumble-down e4, P3) over yellowish brown mediuum tO gum) ~ey box with heavy clays. Some pebbles and some wattle under-- s stones in profile. Dy 3.43, storey. Layered 3, d2-3, Dy 3-3, IYF 2.3. open forest to open foreet, m2-~' n2-3"
3 15 Talgal Shallow to moderately deep ~Tey- Narrow-leaved iron- Long mid slopes. IV Ish brown or brown ~T~velly and bark, dusky-leaved 4-6~ slope. stony Loam over brow~ clays. Ironbark. some e3-~) k2) Bleach sometimes present. Tumble-down gum and P2-3) s2.3, Db 1.4 w Db 1.1, Dy 2.3. wattle understovey. Some yellow box. m2, n3. Layered open forest.
10 Wash Sometimes a thin sandy surface. Rough-barked apple) Minor drainage IlI-IV Grey to very dark ~re 7 loam over grey box with some lines. 3-5~ brown or yellowish brown clays, t~mble-down ~um and glope, e2-3' k2' Dy 2.3. Dy 3.3. yello~ box. Open forest to woodland. P2-3, s2-3, m2) n2~
10 Silver- Shallow soils~ ~Te~ish brown to Narrow-lea%~ed iron-- Hilltops, ~eaer- %~I wood brown ~a~elly and stony loam - bark, tumble-down ally broader and e3_4, rN_5, an~ular stones - over brown ~um with a wattle lower than unit ~-ravelly and stony clay8, understorey. 7. 3-D~ slope, d4_5, m3.4, Um 5.41, Um 5.5~ some D soils. Layered open fore6t, n).
6 10 Middle Moderately deep to deep, very Grey box) rou~h- Broad valleys llI dark ~Te> to da~k brown loam~ barked apple, and main e2_3) k2, or clay loam surface over a fuzzy bo~, tumble- drainage lines. brown) g'reyish brown or reddish down ~m and some 2-4~ slope. I[P2-3, brou medium to heavy clay. May q~eensland blue become stony at depth. Dd 1.1, ~m and Fellow m2, n2. Dd 2.]) Dr 2.1) Dr 2.2. box. Open forest To woodland.
7 10 Silver- Very shallow ~eylsh brown Narrow-leaved iron- Rounded and VII-VIII wood ~ravelly or 9tony, sandy loam bark) Caley~s iron- flat hilltops, ie~_6) rs, ds) tO loam. Often rock outcrops bark with some 2-A~ or steeper on surface. Um 6.2) Um ~.41, spotted g%~m. Under- slope, im)_~, n3_~. Um 5.51. storey Of wattles i~ many cases. Layered open forest to open forest.
S 5 Silver- Very shallow ~Teylsh bPow~t Narrow-leaved iron- Steep drop--olin V~II WOOd s~ony loam over paren~ material bark) occ~siona~ and upper slopes e~_6, t7.~, or over a shallow reddish brown spotted ~um and a 15--25~ or steeper stony clay to parent material, wattle undermtorey slopes. Um 5.~I, Um 5.51o is common. L~ered d~-5) open forest to open forest, n)_~, rs, P3-
Small areas of Greymare and Warwick land systems may occur in this area as mapped. APPENDIX II
KEYS TO LAND UNITS WITHIN LAND SYSTEMS
Keys have been produced to aid in field identification of land units for the various land systems., For a more detailed description where similarities occur, e.go valley floors and lower slopes, refereoce should be made to the detailed land system descriptions and diagrammatic cross sections~
The order of priority of characteristics used to produce a key is as follows:
1o Landform -- hilltops -- sloping lands -- valley floors and drainage lines
2. Slope position - upper - mid -- lower
3o Slope gradient
4. Length of slope -- long > 200m -- short < 200m
5~ Texture contrast soils = uniform -- texture contrast
6= Colour of soils
7~ Vegetation
WESTBROOK LAND SYSTEM ~la)
AA. Hilltops Unit 6 AA0 Sloping lands A. Upper slopes BB. Slopes > 10% B. Softwood scrub, with occasional mountain coolibah Unit 7 B. Mountain coolibah communities Unit 9 B. Other vegetative communities with occasional mountain coolibah Unit 1
BB. Slopes 8 -- 10% Unit 3
A Mid slopes BB. Slopes 8 -- 10% Unit 3 BB. Slopes 3 -- 8% Bo Shallow soils, 30 -- 60 cms deep Unit 4 B= Moderately deep to deep soils, > 60 cms deep Unit 2
A= Lower slopes BB. Shallow, stony soils, < 45 cms deep Unit 8 BB. Deep soils, ~ 60 cms deep Unit 2
AAo Valley floors and drainage lines Unit 5
WESTBROOK LAND SYSTEM (lb)
AAo Hilltops and ridges A Shallow, brown, dark reddish brown to greyish brown clay loam surface. Often very stony Unit 1 A Shallow to moderately deep, dark greyish brown to dark grey clay surface Unit 2
AAo Sloping land A. Steep eroding scarps, >1 (3°/o slope, of short length Unit 5 A. Upper slopes BB. Gradational to uniform fine textured non cracking soil with red hues in the subsoil Unit 6 BB. Uniform cracking clay soils with hues other than red in the subsoil Unit 3
A= Mid slopes Unit 3 WESTBROOK LAND SYSTEM (lb) (Continued)
A~ Lower slopes Unit 4
AA. Valleys and drainage lines A. Clays with marl present at shallow depth Unit 8 A. Clays without marl present Unit 7
TOOWOOMBA LAND SYSTEM (2)
AA. Land associated with crest of main range A. Ridge crests . Unit 4 A= Sloping lands, > 6% slopes Limit 6 Ao Drainage lines Unit 7
AA. Land assoc,ated with broad ridges at lower elevations than main range A. Ridge crests and rounded hills Unit 3 A~ Sloping land BB, Upper slopes Unit 5 E~I~,, Mid slopes Unit 1 BB,, Lower slopes Bo Red soils free of basalt gravel Unit 1 B~ Red sol Is with basalt gravel at depths less than 60 cms Unit 2
AA Drainage lines Unit 7
OAKEY LAND SYSTEM (3)
AA. Lower sloping lands, 2 -- 4% slope Unit 4
AA. Plainland, < 1% slope Ao Grey clays Unit 3 A~ Yellowish brown clay subsoil Unit2 Ao Reddish brown to dark brown clay subsoil Unit 1
AA. Drainage lines and watercourses Unit 5
BROOKSTEAD LAND SYSTEM (4)
AA. Plainlands, < 1% slope A. Dark grey clays Unit 3 A. Grey clays with a thin surface layer of sandy light clay Unit 1
AA° Drainage lines Unit 2
DALBY LAND SYSTEM (5)
AA. Plainlands, <1% slope A. Grey clay soils BB. Thin surface layer of sandy clay Unit .1 BB. Heavy clay surface Unit 4 A° Soils with conspicuous A horizons BE;. Sandy clay loam to clay loam A horizon Unit 2 BB° Sand to sandy loam A horizon Unit 3
AA~ Dratnage lines Unit 5
JIMBOUR LAND SYSTEM (6)
AA. Lower sloping lands, 1 --3% Unit 4
AA. Plainlands, <1% slope Ao coarse granular to fine blocky structured surface Unit 2 Ao Fine granular structured surface BE]. Very dark grey,sh brown to black self-mulching clay surface, becomes browner with depth, and grades into mottled greyish brown and yellowtah brown clays Unit 1 BI:3. Dark brown to grey clays, becoming lighter in colour with depth Unit 3
AA. Drainage lines Unit 5
11--2 MILLMERRAN LAND SYSTEM (7)
AA. Plain lands A. Sandy clay subsoil Unit 2 A. Clay subsoil BB. Dark grey or greyish brown subsoil Unit 1 BB. Reddish brown subsoil Unit 4
AA. Drainage lines and tower areas Unit 3
TIPTON LAND SYSTEM (8)
AA. Plamlands, < 1% slope A. Clay soils BB. Coarse granular to coarse blocky surface structure Unit 3 BB. Medium granular to fine and medium blocky surface structure B. Very dark grey to dark brownish grey clays Unit 2 Bo Very dark brown clays Unit 1 A. Sandy Ioams to sandy clay Ioams overlying clays Unit 4
AA. River terraces Unit 5
AA. Drainage lines and shallow depressions Unit 6
ALLORA LAND SYSTEM (9)
AA. Sloping lands, 2 -- 4% slope, fringlngWestbrook land system Unit 3
AA. Plainlands, < 1% slope A. Clay over dark brown clays Unit 1 A. Clay over grey or mottled grey clays Unit 2 A. Sandy clay 1cam to sandy clay surface Unit 4
LEYBURN LAND SYSTEM (10)
AA. Sloping lands on edges of valley, 2 -- 4% slope Unit 4
AA. Plainlands, ~ 1% slope A. Uniform textured grey clays Unit 5 A, Yellowtsh brown to yellowish red clay subsoil with carbonate concretions at depth Unit 1 A, E3rown or very dark greyish brown clay subsoil, may be mottled and surface is generally hard setting Unit 2
AA. Creeks and drainage lines Unit 3
WARWICK LAND SYS TEM (1 1 )
AA. Hilltops, 3 -- 4% slope Unit 4
AA. Drop-off or steep hill sides, :,, 10% slope Unit 5
AA. Sloping lands A. Upper slopes, long, > 6% slope Unit 1 A. Mid slopes BEL Grey clays,, uniform texture Unit 6 BB. Texture 'contrast sandy loam to loam surface over clay Unit 2
A. Lower slopes BB. Texture contrast, with yellow clayey subsoil Unit 2 BE3. Texture contrast, with reddish brown clayey subsoil Unit 3
AA. Flat to sl=ghtly undulating areas, slopes 1 -- 3% A. Moderately deep to deep sands and sandy Icarus Unit 8
AA. Valley floors and drainage lines Unit 7
11-3 GOOMBUNGEE LAND SYSTEM (12)
AA. Ridges and hilltops A. Broad rtdge tops Unit 2 A. Rocky hilltops, some fairly flat topped Unit 5
AA. Slop=ng lands associated with unit 5 A. Upper slopes, ~-. 20% Unit 6 A. Lower slopes, < 20% Unit 7
AA= Sloping lands associated with unit 2 A. Upper and mid slopes BB. 8 -- 12% Unit 4 BB. 4 -- 8% Unit 1
A+ Lower slopes BB. Long slopes, > 200m Unit 1 BB. Short slopes, < 200m Unit 3
AA+ Drainage lines and valley floors A. Sands or sandy Icarus over greyish brown clays Unit 8 A. Sandy clay Ioams to clay Icarus over greyish brown to dark brown clays Unit 9
EMU VALE LAND SYSTEM (13)
AA+ Hilltops and ridges A° Dominantly belah with wilga and some softwood scrub species Unit t A. Grey box with occasional narrow-leaved ironl0ark and belah Unit 6
AA. Sloping land A. Upper slopes BB. < 20% slope Unit 5 BB. > 20% slope Unit 7
A+ Mid to lower slopes BB° Short slopes, < 200m Unit 2 BB. Long slopes, > 200m Unit 4
AA. Valleys and drainage lines Unit 3
MOOLA LAND SYSTEM (14)
AA. Hilltops A. Steep, stony Unit 5 A. Broad Unit 1
AA. Sloping lands A. Upper slopes Unit 4 A+ Mid slopes Unit 1 A. Lower slopes BB. 4 -- 6% slope, texture contrast soils Unit 1 BB. 2 -- 4% slope, uniform grey clays Unit 3
AA. Valley floors and drainage lines Unit 2
BELL LAND SYSTEM (15) +
AA° Ridges and hilltops A. Hilltops, > 8% slope Un=t 6 A. Stony ridge tops, 6 -- 8% slope Unit 5 A+ Broad ridges, 4 -- 6% slope Unit 1
AA. Sloping land A. Upper slopes Unit 6 A. Mid to lower slopes Unit 4
AA. Valley floors and drainage lines A. Texture contrast soils Unit 2 A. Uniform soils Unit 3
11-4 ACLAND LAND SYSTEM (16)
AA. Ridges and hilltops A. Broad ridge crests Unit 3 A, Steep, rocky hilltops and knolls Unit 5
AA. Sloping land A. Upper slopes BB. 5 -- 8% slope Unit 3 BB. 8 --10% slope Unit 4
A. Mid slopes Unit 1
A, Lower slopes Unit 2
AA. Valley floors Unit 2
ROCKY CREEK LAND SYSTEM (17}
AA. Ridges and hilltops A. Broad ridges, 4 -- 6% slope Un=t t A. Undulating low rises. Topographically lower than unit 1 Unit 2
AA. Sloping lands A. Upper slopes, > 8% slope Umt 4 A. Mid slopes, 3 -- 6% slope Unit 3 A. Lower slopes associated with steep upper slopes of unit 4 Unit 1
AA. Valley floors and drainage lines Unit 5
GREYMARE LAND SYSTEM (18)
AA. Hilltops A. 10 -- 15% slope Unit 3 A. 4 -- 6% slope Unit 6 A. Elevated flat areas Unit 7
AA. Sloping land A. Upper slopes BB. Long slopes, "> 200m Unit 2 BB. Short slopes, < 200m Umt 7
A. Mid slopes BB. Long slopes, > 20Ore Unit 2 BB. Short slopes, < 200m Unit 1
A. Lower slopes BB. 8 -- 10% slope Unit 4 BB. 4 -- 8% slope B. Long slopes. ~ 200m Unit 2 8. Short slopes, < 200m Unit 1 BB. 2 = 4% Slope Unit 5
AA. Valley floors and drainage lines A. Clay loam to sand~/ clay surface Unit 8 A. Sandy loam surface Unit 9
PALGRAVE LAND SYSTEM (19)
AA. Ridges and hilltops A~ High, rounded or flat hilltops Unit 7 A. Broad hilltops, lower elevation than Unit 7 Unit 5
AA. Sloping lands A. Upper slopes and steep drop-offs Unit 8 A. Mid slopes BB..->10% slope Unit 1 BB. 4 -- 6% slope Unit 3 A. Lower slopes, 6 -- 10% Unit 2
AA. Valleys and drainage lines A. Broad valleys and main drainage lines Unit 6 A. Minor drainage lines Unit 4
II-5 APPENDIX III
LAND CAPABILITY CLASSIFICATION
Type of Limiting Factor Degree of Limitation Sub Limitation Clal
Climatic limitation Slight restriction to choice of crops or slightly restricted production c2 other tban rainfall potential° "c '° Moderate restriction to choice of crops or moderately restricted c3 production potential Severely restricted choice of crops and severely reduced production c4 potentia I~ Climatic limitation too severe to allow cropptng, c6
Moisture availabil- Occasional limitation to crop production; 7-8 crops possible in 10 year~ m2 ity for crop growth Regular lemitation to crop production: 5-7 crops possible in 10 years m3 "m" Occasional cropping possible Less than 5 crops possible in 10 years m4 MoJsture availability too unreliable to allow cropping mE
Factors Effective soil Effective soil depth > 60 cm d2 Limiting depth "d" Effective soil depth 45-60 cm d3 Choice Effective soil depth 25-45 cm d4 of Effective soil depth~ 25 cm d6 Crops • or Soil physical Degree of limitation imposed on crop production Slight restriction p2 Crop factors affect- .from soil physical factors affecting the growth Moderate restriction p3 Productivity ing crop growth of crop plants e g surface crusting, hardpans, Severe restriction 1>4 "p'" cementation etc
Soil nutrient Moderate deficiencies which may be economically corrected with n2 fertility "n" careful management Severe deficiencies, difficult to correct and which require special n3 management practices Very low fertility; continuous cultivation precluded by structural decline~ n4
Soil salinity or Soil water availability slightly restricted or slight structural decay s2 sodicity "s'" affecting crop production Sol I water avai labi I i ty moderately restricted or moderate structure I s3 decay w~th some toxic effect on crops. Soil water availability severely restricted or severe structural decay s4 with moderate to severe toxicity Salinity or alkalinity too severe for crops Tolerant improved species s6 available Salinity or alkalinity too severe for pasture improvement; tolerant s7 herbage evai labte Bare saltpan: not practical to vegetate s8
Topography "t" Severe relief or malor gullies preclude contour cultivation Occasional t4 cropping possi ble Slopes 1 5-20% or severe relief or gul lying preventing cultivation t6 Slopes 20-45% or extreme gullying but accessible to grazing animals t7 Slopes on topography too severe for grazing animals= t8
Factors Soil workability So,I properties affecting machinery and thus reducing Slight restriction 1<2 Limiting "k" average production potential e°g= stiff cley~ columnar The Use structure, compaction, narrow moisture range for Moderate restriction k~ of working Severe tee friction kz Agricultural Machinery Rockiness or Tillage restricted with some types of machinery r'2 stoniness "r" Ti I lage res tr~cted wi th most types of machlnew, r3 Tillage difficult with all machinery; occasional use possible, r4 Use of all machinery for cropping impractical_ r5
Surface micro- Tillage restricted with some types of machinery. (32 relief gilgai Tiltage restricted with most types of machineryo g3 and gullying Tillage difficult with all machinery; occasional use possible g4 "g" Use of all machinery for cropping impractical g5
Wetness "w" Use of implements delayed occasionally and slightly reduced production w: potential Use of implements delayed regularly end moderately reduced production wl potential~ Use of implements very difficult and occasional crops only possible_ w. Permanently wet; cultivation impractical w Type of Limiting Factor Degree of Limitation Sub- Limitation Class
Susceptibility to water Simple practices required to reduce water erosion under cultivation e2 erosion "e" to the acceptable level_ Intensive practices required to reduce water erosion under ~ultlvatlon e3 to the acceptable level, Requires inclusion of a pasture phase to reduce average water e4 erosion losses to the acceptable level. Continuous pasture required to reduce water erosion losses to the e6 Factors acceptable leve i~ Controlling Special practices or grazing restrictions required to reduce water e7 Land erosion losses to the acceptable level Deteriorat- Under grazing water erosion losses are in excess of the acceptable e8 t on I eve I
Susceptibility to Subject to occasional overflow floodlng~ f'2 flooding "f" Subject to regular overflow flooding, f3 Subject to severe overflow flooding; permanent cultivation not possible, f4 Flood frequency and/or severity precludes any cropping= f5
Susceptibility to Slightly susceptible to wind erosion~ a2 wind eros ~on Moderately suscepti ble to wind erosi on o a3 "a" Severely susceptible to wind erosion° a4 Potential for wind erosion too severe to allow oropping~ a6-.8
111-2 APPENDIX IV
GLOSSARY OF THE MORE COMMON PLANT SPECIES
BOTANICAL. NAME COMMON NAME
Acacia harpophylla Bri ga low A. omalophyl la Yarran A. pendula Mya I I A. salicina Doolan, Sally wattle A. spp. Wattles A. stenophylla Belalie, R,ver myall Alphiton/a excelsa Red ash Angophora costata Rusty gum Smoot h-barked apple A. floribunda Rough-barked apple Araucaria bidwillii Bunya pine A. cunninghamii Hoop pine Bothriochloa b/adhii Forest blue grass B. decipiens Pitted blue grass Brachychi ton rupestre Bottle tree Bromus uniololdes Perennial prairie grass Callitris co/umellaris White cypress pine C. end/icheri Black cypress pine Casuarina cristata Belah C. inophtoia Thready bark oak, Hairy oak C. /i ttorahs Black she-oak C. luehmannii Bulloak Cenchrus ci/iarJs Buffe I grass Chloris gayana Rhodes grass C ventrIcosa Tall chlorls Cyperus spp. Sedges Dan thon i a spp. Wallaby grass Oichanthium sericeum Queensland blue grass Eragrostis spp. Love grass Eremophi /a mi tchel li i Sandalwood, Budda Eucalyptus albens White box E. andrewsii New England Blackbutt, Stringybark peppermil E. blakelyi Blakely's red gum E. calevi Caley's ironbark E. camaldulensis River red gum E. conica Fuzzy box E. crebra Narrow-leaved ironbark E. dealbata Tumble down gum E. drepanophyl la Grey ironbark E. eugenioides White strmgybark E. intermedia Pink or red bloodwood E. maculata Spotted gum E. major Grey gum E. metanophloia Silver-leaved ironbark E. meiliodora Yellow box E. micro carpa Grey box E. micro corys Tallow wood E. moluccana Gum topped box, brown box E. nova-anglica New England Peppermint E. nubila Dusky-leaved ironbark E. orgadophila Mountain cool i bah E. pilligaensls Mallee box. Molly box, Gum topped box E. piluiaris Blackbutt E. populnea Poplar box E. saligna Sydney biue gum E. seeana Narrow-leaved grey gum E. sideroxylon Mugga E. tereticornis Queensland blue gum E. tessellaris Moreton Bay ash F/indersia australis Crow's ash Geijera parviflora W i Iga G. salicifolia Scrub wilga Grew/lea robusta Silky oak Heterodendrum oleifolium Boonaree Jacksonia scoparia Dogwood Lycium ferocissimum African boxthorn Medic.ago sativa Lucerne M. scutel/ata Snail medic M, truncatula var. truncatula Cyprus and Jemalong medic M. spp. Annual medics Melateuca lanceolata Black tea-tree, Western tea-tree Panicum coloratura vat. makarikartense Makarikari grass P. kabulabula Kabulabula panic P. maximum var. trlchoglume Green panic BOTANICAL NAME COMMON NAME Paspalidium caespitosum Briga low grass Paspalum dilatatum Paspalum grass Pittosporum philtyraeoides Meemii, cattle bush Sa/ix babylonica Weeping willow Sporobolus elongatus Rats tail grass Themeda avenacea Native oat grass Tristanla conferta Brush box Xanthorrhoea sp. Grass-tree, Black boy
IV--2 APPENDIX V
ANALYTICAL DATA FOR SELECTED PROFILES
SYMBOLS USED: S, sand; Loam; Si, slit; C, clay; CS, coarse sand; F. fine:. LC, light clay; M, medium; H, heavy; N, nitrogen; C, carbon; C/N, carbon to nitrpgen ratio; CEC, cation exchange capacity; m equiv/lO0 g. miltiequivalent per 100 g of soil.
Colours are Munsell colour chart colours. Analysis are based on oven-dry weight of soito
Depths Field Colour pH TS5 Cl Org Tot C/N Particle Size CEC Ex. Cations cms Texture ppm ppm C N Ratio CS FS Si C m equiv/ Na K % 100 g m equiv/100 g
HENDON SOIL SERIES BV 1 0 - 5 FSL 10 yr2/2 6.1 736 100 3.4 .238 12.0 14 36 14 36 5 - 35 C 5 yr 5/6 7.0 1288 360 8 28 10 58 35 -45 C 10 yr 5/6 6.7 2576 840 4 26 13 62 45- 80 C 10 yr 7/1 5.5 2576 840 1 28 16 60 80 -120 C 10 yr 7/1 5.3 2060 735 1 31 16 57
GULLY SOIL SERIES BV 2 0- 10 SL 10yr3/2 6.1 309 35 1.7 .154 11.0 22 31 23 27 10 - 45 SC 10 yr 3/2 6.8 606 140 21 31 12 39 45 - 82 SC 10 yr 6/2 7.5 1288 440 21 33 10 40 82 =120 SC 10yr6/2 8.1 1629 560 35 27 8 32
STOCK SOIL SERIES BV 3 0 - 23 SL 10 yr2'2 5.6 238 25 1.2 .091 13.2 59 20 9 14 23 - 68 SC 7.5 yr 5/4 5.6 736 225 24 11 9 61 68 -120 C 10 yr6/6 5.4 1236 400 37 12 17 40
IRON POT SOIL SERIES BV 4 0- 5 CL 10yr2/2 6.7 515 60 2.7 .254 10.6 10 26 31 31 5 - 50 SC 10 yr3/1 6.7 229 25 40 26 13 20 50 - 90 CS 10 yr 4~2 7.0 281 25 78 10 5 9 go -120 CS 10 yr 4/3 7.2 258 20 78 12 4 6
LEYBURN SOIL SERIES E3V 5 0- 15 CL-LC 10yr4/2 7.3 638 150 0.8 .064 12.5 16 23 16 47 15 = 30 C 10yr3/2 7.7 1256 390 11 18 18 56 30 - 50 C 10 yr 4/3 8.6 2234 650 12 19 17 54 50 - 90 C 5yr4,'6 9.1 4186 1200 12 17 18 55 90 -120 C 7.5 yr 4/4 9.0 3790 1000 8 16 21 59
OAKEY SOIL SERIES BV 6 0- 25 FSCL 5 yr3/2 6.2 180 20 41 85 7 16 0.3 0.5 25 = 50 MC 7=5 yr 3/2 7.4 260 20 29 23 7 40 2.0 0.3 50 - 68 MC 7.5 yr3/2 8.5 1310 91 21 20 10 48 4.3 0.5 68- 85 MC 5yr4/4 8.8 1840 217 17 19 13 50 6.7 0.70 85 -120 MC 7.5 yr 4/4 8.9 2100 276 13 19 12 55 6.6 0.73
MOOLA SOIL SERIES BV 7 0 o 8 L 10yr2/2 8.0 900 39 25 32 12 30 1.2 2o17 8 - 25 MC 10yr3/3 8.2 710 32 24 24 8 43 1.5 1.93 25 - 75 MC 10 yr 6/2 8.8 2060 256 21 17 10 51 7.5 0.7 75-90 MC 10yr6/2 9.1 1650 138 22 17 11 49 11,4 0.35 90 -120 MC 10 yr 6/2 8.9 1540 187 19 16 13 51 12.0 0.30
OAKEY SOIL SERIES BV 8 0 - 20 CL 7,5 yr3/2 6.6 230 20 32 28 14 25 < 0.2 0.75 20 - 45 LC 5 yr 3/4 6.9 190 20 26 32 13 28 0.5 0.28 45 - 70 MC 7.5 yr 4/4 6.8 490 48 16 20 9 54 2.5 0.23 70-120 MC 7.5yr4/4 8.7 1580 177 15 19 12 53 4.6 0.30
HASLEMERE SOIL SERIES BV 9 0 - 5 FSL 7.5 yr 3/2 6.6 260 20 37 45 7 10 0.5 0.75 5 - 38 C 5yr3/3 8.5 1990 315 15 24 12 47 8.0 0.15 38- 65 C 7.5yr414 9.1 4500 1280 9 20 17 52 13.0 0.20 65- 90 C 7.5yr4/2 9.1 4680 1064 2 27 25 48 15.4 0.30 90 -120 C 7°5 yr 4/2 9.0 3560 906 4 32 21 43 15.0 0.30
SUGARLOAF SOIL SERIES BV 10 O- 5 L-CL 5yr3/2 8.3 710 20 18 41 22 18 0.5 3.8 5 - 22 C 5 yr3/2 7.9 600 26 10 29 15 45 0.4 2.7 22- 45 C 5 yr3/2 8.4 790 59 8 22 11 57 2.1 2.55 45 - 60 C 5 yr 3/4 8.5 2400 430 10 20 9 60 6.4 1.7 60- 90 C 10 yr 6/4 8.6 2400 749 5 12 29 53 7.6 0.65 90 -105 C 10 yr6/3 8.5 5060 749 2 10 25 62 8.6 0.53 105 -120 C 10 yr6/3 8.5 4500 788 1 19 23 56 8.0 0.47 Depths Field Colour pH TSS CI Org Tot C/N Particle Size CEC Ex. Cations cms Texture ppm ppm C N Ratio CS FS Si C m equiv/ Na K % 100 g m equi v/100g
JINGARRY SOIL SERIES BV 11 0 - 5 MC 10 yr3/1 6.4 1000 45 5 14 17 56 48 1.0 1.85 5- 45 HC 10yr3/1 7.2 860 89 3 12 16 60 42 2.2 0.7 45- 77 HC 10yr3/3 7.9 2700 670 5 8 14 64 46 4.4 0.2 77 -120 HC 10 yr 4/4 7.8 3630 946 6 29 22 35 60 6.0 0.12
THANE SOIL SERIES BV 12 0 - 27 L, 10 yr3/1 6.5 630 30 18 52 17 12 7°5 0.2 0.1 27 - 57 MC 10 yr 5/6 8.6 1160 315 13 36 14 33 10 4.4 0.1 57 - 80 M-HC 10yr5,/6 9=1 1950 669 17 27 13 40 15 6.5 0.15 80 = 90 HE; 10 yr 5/4 9.3 2250 906 20 28 18 36 13 5.9 0.2
CUNNINGHAM SOIL SERIES BV 13 0- 10 CL 10 yr4/1 6.3 900 44 2 18 47 30 22 0.3 0.6 10 - 30 LC 10 yr3/1 6.5 330 22 2 11 49 35 17 0.6 0.2 30 - 60 L,C 10 yr3/1 6.3 1100 97 2 7 44 44 20 1.0 0.23 60 = 90 MC 10 yr 4/1 7.5 1900 236 1 12 34 50 21 1 .4 0.1 90 -120 MC 10 yr 4/1 7.8 2100 256 1 15 33 47 20 2.0 0.13
NORBEL,.L, SOIL, SERIES BV 14 0 = 5 L, 10 yr2/2 6.8 710 30 23 14 15 16 24 0.3 2.32 5 ~ 50 SL, 5 yr3/2 7°0 330 30 42 36 5 16 11 0.2 .73 50 - 90 MC 7.5 yr 5/6 7.3 640 128 32 18 2 44 15 2.0 .78 90 -120 MC 5 yr 5/4 8.5 1310 :~96 38 25 4 33 15 3.0 .55
V-2 APPENDIX VI
DESCRIPTION OF THE SOIL SERIES
Great Soil Group Soil Series Principal Profile Brief Soll Description Associated Species Est. Forms Recorded Areas (Ha) Lithosols Knoll Um 6.21, some Uc Shallow, stony, grey or "Softwood scrub" 3,84 dark grey sandy Ioams to Ioams overlying parent materia I
* Kenmuir Um 6.21, Um 6.22 Shallow, stony, brown Mountain coolibah, 142,16 to dark grey clay narrow-leaved Ioams to light clays ironbark, silver- leaved i ton bark and '~ softwood scrub"
Silverwood Um 6.2, Um 5.41, Shallow, very stony, Narrow-leaved 29,86 Um 5.51 greyish brown to ironbark, Caley's brown Ioams over- ironbark and a tying brown to reddish wattle under- brown clays over storey parent material
Bony Uc 2.12, IJc 4.1 2 Very she I low, dark Narrow-leaved 8~41 grey or greyish brown ironbark and sandy Ioamso Rock wattles= outcrop occur
Wattle-Glen Uc 1,4, Uc 1.2 Very shallow, stony, Spotted gum, 8,23 grey sands to sandy rusty gum, Ioams over parent narrow-leaved material° ironbark and a wattle under- storey.
Herries Uc 4t Shallow, grey and Rusty gum, New 10,45 grey brown gritty England black- sandy Ioams to butt, New England coarse sands peppermint, narrow- overlying decompos- leaved i ronbark, ing granite~ Rock and wattles outcrops occur
Siliceous Sands Drome Uc 5, Uc I .2 Moderately deep, Moreton Bay ash, 3,60 grey and grey spotted gum and brown sand to cypress pine° sandy Ioams. Some deep, red to reddish brown sands°
Grey, brown * Cecilvale Ug 5.24, Ug 5.4 Deep soils, with a Poplar box 41,52 and red clays thin brownish grey and Queensland sandy light clay blue grass~ surface, overlying grey to dark greyish brown clays Calcium carbonate occurs at depth
Grey, brown Mailing Ug 5.2,4, Ug 5.25 Deep dark grey to Brigalow 25 39 and red clays very dark greyish belah and brown medium to scattered heavy c lays mya I Io
* Soil series names established by C.S.I.R.O. in soils and land use studies. Great Soil Group Soil Series Principal Profile Brief Soil Description Associated Species Est. Forms Recorded Areas (Ha) Grey, brown Cunningham Ug 5.24, Ug 5,25 Deep soils with dark Queensland blue 710 and red clays grey light clays over gum and rough (Cont.) very dark grey medium barked apple° to heavy clays.
Gladfield Ug 5,22. Ug 5.23 Shallow to moderately "Softwood scrub '" 9,730 deep soils with greyish with belah and brown to reddish brown wilga= clays over dark brown or yellowish brown clays
Jingarry Ug 5.23, Ug 5.25 Moderately deep soils Grey box, belah 9,730 with very dark grey and wilga~ medium clays over yellowish brown clays° Calcium carbonate occurs
Edgefield Ug 5.22~ Ug 5.23 Deep soils with dark Brigalow. belah 3,135 grey clays grading with scattered into dark brown or poplar box. dark greyish brown clays
Gate Ug 5.24~ Ug 5.25, Deep soils with very Brigalow, belah, 4 118 dark greyish brown wilga and black tea -tree= clays over grey or dark yellowish brown clays~
Black Earths " Beauarat~a Ug 5.12 Shallow, often stony, Mountain coolibeh 22 564 dark brownish grey to very dark brown clays°
* Purrawunda Ug 5.12, Ug 5.13 Moderately deep Mountain coolibaho 101 543 sol Is wi th very dark brown to very dark grayish brown clays over decomposing basalt= Ca lc=um carbonate may occur
Junabee Ug 5,13. Ug 5ot4 Moderately deep Grey box with 2 780 sol Is wi th very scattered narrow- dark grey light leaved ironbark clays over dark and belah greyish brown clays
* Waco Ug 5~15 Deep so=is with Queensland blue 141 983 very dark greyish grass brown clays over brown or mottled brown clays=
* Irving Ug 5.13 Moderately deep Queensland blue 85 138 soils with very grass with dark greyish brown scattered poplar clays over a dark box and mountain brown mad i um to cool i bah o heavy clays Linear gilgai often occurs~
VI-2 Great Soil Group Soil Series Principal Profile Brief Soil Description Associated Species Est. Forms Recorded Area (Ha) Black Earths * Mywybilla Ug 5.16 Deep soils with coarse Queensland blue 79 3( (Cont.) granular to fine blocky, grass° brownish grey to black clays over dark grey to dark greyish brown clays= Calcium carbonate occurs at depth.
* Norillee Ug 5.16 Deep soils with dark Queensland blue 10 5E brown to grey clay grass. over a light brownish grey heavy clay~
* Condamine Ug 5.15, Ug 5.16 Deep soils with very Queensland blue 44 1== dark brownish grey grass, Queensland to very dark grey clays blue gum end grading into mottled river red gum~ dark greyish brown clays at depth° Calcium carbonate occurs at depth~
* Anchorfield Ug 5.15 Deep so, Is with very Queensland blue 37 84 dark brown heavy grass. clay surface grading into a mottled brown clay subsoil, Calcium carbonate may occur
* Charlton Ug 5.13, Ug 5.14 Moderately deep, very Mountain coolibah, 13 53 dark grey clays, coarse narrow-leaved blocky structured sub- ironbark and sol I. scattered "softwood scrub", wattles and belah
* Craigmore Ug 5.13, Ug 5.14 Moderately deep to deep, Mountain coolibah, 13 5~, very dark brown,sh grey narrow-leaved surface and greyish ironbark and brown subsoi Io Coarse scattered blocky structured sub- "softwood scrub". soil wattles and betah
Rendzina * Yargullen Uf 6.22. Uf 6.11 Moderately deep, very Queensland blue 4 51 alkaline, very dark grass° grey light clays grad- ing ,ntoa marly clay
Texture Contrast Sol Is Deep with yellow- Killarney Dy 2.13, Dy 2.33 Moderately deep to Rough barked 19 74 grey clay deep soils with apple, Queensland subso,ls greyish brown to blue gum and yellowish brown scattered poplar sandy clay Ioams box overlying brown and greyish brown clays
Leyburn Dy 2.33, Dy 2.13 Moderately deep to Poplar box with 5 68J Dy 2.43 deep hardsetting scattered bull soils w=th greyish oak and grey brown clay Ioams box overly,ng brown or yel Iowish brown clays~
VI~ Great Soil Group Soil Series Principal Profile Brief Soil Description Associated Species Est. Forms Recorded Area (Ha) Texture Contrast Soils Deep with yellow- Morgan Dy 2.12, Dy 2.23, Moderately deep soils Narrow-leaved 36 076 grey clay DY 2.43 with greyish brown ironbark, rough subsoils sandy loam to Ioams barked apple, (Cont.) over reddish brown grey box and and yellowish brown fuzzy box. clays
Gully Dy 2.22, Dy 2.23, Moderately deep to Grey box, fuzzy 6 012 Dy 3.13, Dy 3.22 deep soils with box, Queensland clark greyish brown blue gum and sandy Ioams over- rough barked lying greyish brown apple to brownish grey clays
Wash Dy 2.3, Dy 3.3 Moderately deep soils Rough barked 11 945 with a grey to very apple, grey dark grey sandy box with loam to loam over- occasional lying brown or tumble down yellowish brown gum and yellow clays~ box
Douglas Dy 1.2 Moderately deep soils Grey box, fuzzy 4 943 with dark grey to very box, and poplar dark grey sandy loam box with to Ioams over a scattered yellowish' brown or brigalow and dark yellowish brown belaho clays~ Stone some- times occurs ~
tronpot Dy 4.1~ Oy 5,1 Moderately deep soils Rough barked 9 928 with very dark brown apple, fuzzy to dark grey-clay Ioams box, Queensland to sandy Ioams over blue gum and dark greyish brown wattles sandy clays
Dalmeny Dy 3.22, Dy 3=13 Moderately deep soils Poplar box= 6 813 with dark brown to reddish brown Ioams over yellowish brown clays, Some calcium carbonate at depth=
Texture Contrast Soils Deep soils with * Haslemere Dd 1.43, Deep soils with a Poplar box 36 571 dark clayey Dd 1 -33 th i n brown i sh grey w t th sca ttered subsoils sandy loam to sandy Queensland blue clay loam overlying gum and Moreton a dark greyish brown Bay ash clay subsoil~ Calcium carbonate may occur at depth~
Canal Dd' 1.33, Moderately deep to Poplar box with 7 810 Dd I .43 deep soils with grey fuzzy box, grey to greyish brown box and narrow- Ioams to clay Ioams leaved ironbark. overlying very dark greyish brown clays=
VI-4 Great SoIl Group Soil Series Principal Profile Brief Soil Description Associated Species Est. Forms Recorded Area (Ha) Texture Contrast Soils Deep soils with Middle Dd 1.1. Dd 2.3, Modera;tely deep to Grey box, rough 11 g4 dark clayey Dr 2.2 deep soils with barked apple. subsoils very dark grey to tumble-down gum (Cont.) dark brown loam and yellow box° to clay Ioams over- ly=ng brown to greyish brown clays=
Gomaren Dd 1,1~ Dy 2.1, Moderately deep to Grey box. Queensland 4 94: Oy 2.2 deep soils with blue gum, rough very dark grey barked apple, poplar sandy loam to box and fuzzy box Ioams overlying dark grey or greyish brown clays
Walker Dd 2,13 Moderately deep to 8elah, wi Iga with 4 88' deep soils with scattered brigalow dark reddish brown and poplar box° Ioams and clay Ioams overlying reddish brown to dark reddish brown clays
Moola Dd 2,13 Moderately deep to Belah. wilga, 9 40 deep soils with brigalow and very dark grey bottle trees. loam to clay Ioams overlying very clark grey or a mottled brownish yellow clay~ Calcium carbonate may occur at depth
• Yerranlea Dd 2.43. Dd 2.13 Moderately deep soils Belah, wilga 2 O9~ with very dark brown and "softwood to dark reddish brown scrub" sandy Ioams to clay species° Ioams overlying dark brown clays
=_ Texture Contrast Soils Deep soils with Allan Dr 2.33 Dr 2.32 Moderately deep to Gum topped box. 24 0~ red clayey deep soils with rough harked subsoils hardsetting, reddish apple, tumble- brown to greyish down gum and brown sandy Ioams narrow-leaved ove fly i ng redd i sh iron ba rk~ brown clays Some- times gravel ly,
Texture Contrast Soils Shallow soils with Hendon Dy 3.13, Dy 3.32 Shallow to Narrow-leaved 42 08 yellow-grey clayey moderately deep i ronl~rk tumble- subsoils soils with hard- down gum and setting greytsh wattles= brown to very dark greyish brown sandy loam to Ioams overlying yellowish brown clays~ Often s tony°
Goombungee Dy 2.1, Dy 2.3. Shallow soils with Narrow-leaved 9 8~ Oy 3.3, DY 2.4 dark brown to red- ironl0erk, spotted dish brown Ioams gum. "softwood overlying yellowish scrub" and brown clays. Some wattles= rock outcrops occur
V1-5 Great Soil Group Soil Series Principal Profile Brief Soil Description Associated Species Est. Forms Recorded Area (Ha) Texture Contrast SoIls Shal low soi Is Thane Dy 3.43, Dy 3.3 Shal low to moderately Narrow-leaved 47 780 with yellow- deep soils with grey ironberk, tumble= grey clayey and greyish brown, down gum, dusky subsoils often gravelly or leaved ironbark, (Cont.) stony, Ioams over- with spotted gum lying brown and and wattles° yellowish brown clays°
Ridge Dy 2.1 Shallow sol Is wi th Narrow-leaved 4 943 grey to dark grey ironbsrk, spotted sandy Ioams over gum, with bulloak, yellowish brown rusty gum and or reddish brown wattles clays~
Sugarloaf Dy 2.13. Dd 2.13 Shallow soils with "Softwood scrub" 22 245 stony, redd=sh species ~ brown to yellowish red sandy clay Ioams to clay Ioams over- lying a brown to yellowish brown clay
Stock Dy 3.51, Dy 3.62 Shallow to moderately Narrow-leaved 6 009 deep soils with rock ironbark, rough outcrops= Grey to barked apple, greyish brown sandy rusty gum and Ioams over brownish bulloak grey to yellow=sh brown gritty clays=
Seven Dy 3.51 and Sha I low to moderately Na rrow-leaved 9 666 some Dd deep soils, some rock ironbark with sol Iso outcrops= Coarse grey ye I low box, sandy Ioams over- grey box, lying grey and grey Blakely's red brown light clays gum and fuzzy box
Turner Dy 3.62, Dy 2.41 Shallow to moderately Narrow-leaved 16 197 deep soils with ironbark, grey greyish brown sandy box, yellow box Ioams overlying grey Blakely's red to yellowish brown gum and wattles~ sandy clays over- lying decomposing graniteo
Texture Contrast Soils Shal low to Talgai Db 1.4, Db 1 .1 Shal low to moderately Narrow-leaved 1 7 91 8 moderately deep deep soils with grey- ironbark, tumble- soils with dark ish brown or brown clown gum, dusky clayey subsoils gravelly and stony leaved ironl0ark Ioams overlying and wattles= brown clays
Emlyn Dd 3.13, Dd 1.13 Shallow to moderately Poplar box, 1 372 deep soils with dark "softwood scrub" reddish brown to narrow-leaved greyish brown clay ironbark, grey Ioams over brown to box and brigalow= dark yellowish brown clays°
Red Brown Earths Oakey Dr 2.13, Db 1.13 Moderately deep to Poplar box and 15 697 deep soil with dark mountain brown to reddish coolibah. brown I~ms to clay Ioams over- lying reddish brown to dark brown clays. Ca Icium carbonate may oocur~
VI-6 Great Soil Group Soil Series Principal Profile Brief Soil Description Associated Species Es Forms Recorded Are (H; Red Brown Earths (Cont.) Norbell Dr 2.13 Deep to moderately Belah and wilga 2 0=1 deep sol Is with '" softwood scrub ". dark reddish brown to dark brown Ioams overlying reddish brown medium to heavy clays.
Red Earths " Ruthven Gn 2.11 Deep sol Is with dark Sydney blue gum 5 3 ¢. reddish clay Ioama stringybark, blood- grading into red woods and wattles. heavy clays.
* Middle Gn 3.11 Moderately deep soils Sydney blue gum, 5 3¢~ Ridge with dark reddish black she-oaks, brown clay Ioams blaokbutt and grading into red wattles. medium clays. Laterite may occur throughout profile,
" Gabbinbar .Gn 2.11 Deep sol Is with Sydney blue gum, 1 21 dark reddish stringybark, brown to brown tat lowwood and Ioams grading wattles. into yel Iowish red to brown friable Ioams.
° Toowoornba Gn 2.11 Deep soils with Sydney blue gum, 1 21 reddish brown ta I Iowwood, Icarus grading stringybark and into red clays, wattles. Lateritic material in subsoil.
" Drayton Gn 3,12 Moderately deep Mountain 1 74 soils with dark coolibah, narrow- brown clay leaved ironbark, Ioams grading grey box. Sydney into red medium blue gum. clays.
= Kynook Gn 3.12 Moderately deep Sydney blue gum, 1 7=1 soils with reddish stringybark, brown friable c lay mounts i n coo I i bah Icarus grading and wattles. into red clays.
* Burton Gn 3.12 Shallow to moderate- Mountain coolibah 9 02 ly deep soils with and narrow-leaved brown or dark reddish ironbark. brown clay Icarus grading into dark red to reddish brown clays.
* Nelson Gn 3.71 Dark brown to dark Queensland blue 69 reddish brown light gum, blackbutt, clays grading into a black she-oak and mot tied yel low-grey wattles. to brownish yellow clay.
* Southbrook Gn 3.12 Shallow, often stony, Narrow-leaved 40 61 reddish brown clay ironbark, st Iver- Ioams grading into leaved ironbark, red clays overlying and mountain decomposi ng basa It. cool i bah.
Vl-7