Australian Natural Resources Atlas

Natural Resource Topics

Soils - Overview - VIC

Summary of Victorian Land Resource Assessment

Location map

Introduction

Land resource assessment (LRA) in Victoria is going through a resurgence. The Department of Primary Industries/Department of Sustainability and Environment (DPI/DSE) through it's predecessor organisations (Soil Conservation Authority, Department of Agriculture/ Department Of Natural Resources and Environment) focused on detailed irrigation area soil survey as well as Land Systems mapping and Land Capability Assessment. DSE is now integrating land resource assessment (LRA) with other disciplines, particularly in surface and groundwater modelling. Leading edge technologies such as fuzzy logic and geophysics are being combined with traditional LRA techniques to prepare 1:100 000 scale soil/landform and component mapping across Victoria. This LRA mapping program provides the impetus for a suite of new data sets and interactive information products over the next 5-7 years.

This new era of LRA in Victoria is being led by a core group of specialists within Agriculture Victoria (AV) research institutes - the The Bendigo Centre (formerly Centre for Land Protection Research), Bendigo; the State Chemistry Laboratory, Werribee, and the The Tatura Centre (formerly Institute for Sustainable Irrigated Agriculture), Tatura, with assistance from specialists in related science disciplines. Agriculture Victoria operates within the Agriculture Division of DNRE. It comprises over 1000 staff (450 scientists) located at 12 agricultural research and development Institutes across 17 regional centres throughout Victoria. Agriculture Victoria undertakes industry and contract research, and fee-for-service work across a diverse range of skill areas such as: breeding and biotechnology for plant and animal improvement; plant and animal production, nutrition, health and welfare; disease diagnosis; integrated farming systems; natural resource management. Land resource assessment activities are carried out within the AV Environment and Resources Group.

At present, in Victoria, instead of just describing the land resource, there is a trend toward using LRA for measuring and predicting the performance of land under a variety of land use scenarios. As a consequence, LRA is therefore receiving greater recognition for it's predictive capacity. The application of hazard mapping, suitability and impact assessment have now elevated LRA in the minds of key stakeholders, including government policy groups, Catchment Management Authorities, Local Government and industry groups. It is now recognised that projects need to focus heavily on communicating outputs and results to policy groups and land managers, otherwise the full potential of LRA may not be realised. A major effort will be made in the future to increase the number of people using land resource information - and this will rely on making this information more accessible and easily understood.

Where have we come from?

Before the formation of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment in 1996, land resource assessment activities had been carried out in Victoria between two different Departments. The former Departments of Agriculture were responsible for a number of large scale irrigation region surveys between 1943 and 1975. These surveys were used for farm planning, investigation of district problems and water allocation. Over 300 generalised soil types were mapped and published at a scale of 1:32 000 or larger. An estimated 55 000 soil profiles were described, classified and sampled. Over 150 large scale and intricate soil map sheets were redrafted in the 1990's prior to being scanned and edited into GIS. These are now managed by ISIA at Tatura.

From 1975, regional soil/landform surveys were carried out by the Department of Agriculture. The largest of these were in the Eastern Wimmera and across much of south west Victoria. In addition, a range of smaller surveys targeted to specific areas of rural development (eg. wine industry) and assessment of areas proposed for urban development were undertaken.

The former Soil Conservation Authority established a program of regional surveys aimed at determining the most appropriate forms of land use in regions. These surveys commenced in 1954 and eventually covered much of the state, producing maps based on Land Systems. Within each Land System, the component land units were also described, but not mapped. During the 1970's and 1980's the SCA and later Land Protection Division of the Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands undertook land capability surveys for local government (focusing on those under competing land use pressures) and larger regional surveys, particularly on the northern catchments. These surveys were finalised in the 1990's with the completion of the Avoca, Loddon, Campaspe and Central and East Gippsland surveys.

The approach of Land Systems mapping was to map geomorphology, landform, lithology, climate, soils and vegetation in an integrated way. A land system is determined by the above factors in which the variation can be expressed as a repetitive sequence of land components. Land System mapping at 1:100 000 - 1:250 000 scale was carried out for various areas across the State by the SCA and derivative organisations. The Statewide Land Systems were developed by Rowan et al (1990) from the regional studies, but also included other datasets (soil/landform mapping) and expert knowledge. The resultant Land Systems (version 2) is at 1:250 000 scale and has a highly variable confidence level based upon the many sources of data. The Statewide Land Systems remains the only consistent spatial description of the nature of land at the statewide level, containing spatial polygonal coverage, biophysical attributes, and interpreted susceptibility to various forms of land degradation. More recently (1996) the susceptibility to salinity, water erosion, wind erosion and mass movement were provided to Local Government for incorporation as environmental planning overlays.

With the formation of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment in 1996 a legacy of inconsistent mapping themes, data sets and scales, as well as some still poorly surveyed areas was left. This is currently being rectified by current soil and land survey programs.

The status of land resource mapping in Victoria, as of June 2001, is shown in the map below.


Figure 4: Extent of land resource mapping in Victoria - June 2000.

Current Drivers of Land Resource Assessment in Victoria

DNRE supports LRA activities through projects such as the Sustainable Dryland Agriculture and Land Management Key Project. Targets for this project include to: map land information across Victoria at 1:100 000 scale, with more detailed scale mapping to be undertaken in areas facing rapid change, as well as to deliver land capability and suitability information through the Victorian Resources Online website.

Both Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) and Local Government are required under legislation to prepare Strategic Plans. CMAs are required to prepare and review Regional Catchment Strategies, whilst Local Government have to prepare Municipal Strategic Statements and Municipal Planning Schemes in their municipalities. Regional Catchment Strategies have identified a number of actions needed to support regional development. In many regions, land resource information is either not available or only available for parts of the region. In some areas, much of the existing land resource information is based on Land Systems mapping at 1:250 000 scale. Enhancement of existing mapping is required to allow for improved matching of land use with land suitability and capability, and the identification of areas where higher value sustainable land uses can be promoted. This information will also be needed to provide the basis for disseminating information on best management practices that allow increased production while enhancing the quality of land resources and preventing off-site degradation. The recently completed Goulburn Broken Dryland Regional Development project has involved cooperation between DNRE, Business Victoria, and a number of Local Governments. A range of products was developed, including suitability analysis for a number of industries (eg. winegrapes, goats and timber products).


Biophysical suitability map for Southern Blue Gum in part of the Goulburn Broken region

NRE is jointly developing a 5 year program with the Gippsland Local Government Network to improve sustainability of the region. A fundamental component of this program will be the development of land resource assessment information for seven Shires (including crop biophysical suitability assessment). This is being complemented by the preparation of biophysical overlays, including erosion hazard, salinity, native vegetation etc.

Catchment Management Authorities also have a legislative requirement to report on catchment condition. DNRE is supporting the development of suitable catchment condition indicators and land resource assessment information will be required to support this.

What we will be delivering in the future

The Figure below provides an overview of future land resource assessment activities to be undertaken by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment. A number of these activities will be further described.


Overview of future land resource assessment activities in Victoria.

Hierarchical Land Resource Mapping

There is now in place a program to complete a range of land resource mapping across Victoria. This involves:

Overview of hierarchical land resource mapping in Victoria.

Broadscale Overview maps

A range of broadscale overview maps are being developed for the Victorian Resource Atlas project. These will present an overview of major Soil Orders (eg. Vertosols, Sodosols) across each Catchment Management Region of Victoria and will be later combined to form a new broadscale Victorian Soil Map.

Examples of broadscale overview soil mapping (Vertosols in the Wimmera region and Podosols in the West Gippsland region)

Land Systems of Victoria

AV is currently finalising an enhanced Land Systems (version 3) mapping and information framework (1:250 000) for Victoria which will build on the existing Land Systems of Victoria (version 2) by Rowan et al (1990). This is being achieved by using recently acquired soil and land information (eg. West Wimmera), and utilising techniques such as radiometrics interpretation and digital elevation modelling. Key activities include redefinition of the current Land System Key and nomenclature and the review of the current statewide geomorphic framework.

Geomorphic Review

A review of the basic geomorphic framework, as presented by Jenkin, has been undertaken over the past few years by the Geomorphology Reference Group (composed of geomorphic experts within and outside of NRE). A revised hierarchy of geomorphic divisions of Victoria has been produced which will form part of further development of the Statewide Land Systems of Victoria. It is also anticipated that a range of geomorphic information (eg. sites of geomorphic interest) will be presented on the Victorian Resources Online website.


Geomorphology Reference Group field day in the Wimmera region

Soil/Landform Mapping

Soil/Landform mapping (1:100 000) is currently being undertaken in the West Gippsland, East Gippsland, North East, Glenelg and Corangamite regions of Victoria. Increasing use is being made of a range of datasets including radiometrics, Digital Elevation Models (1:25 000) and improved geological mapping (1:100 000) where available. Existing surveys are being reinterpreted and additional soil site information is being collected. Products being derived from this mapping include land hazard and crop biophysical suitability maps.


Coverage of soil/landform mapping across Gippsland.
Ian Sargeant liaising with landholders in development of soil/landform mapping in West Gippsland.

Opportunities in the pipeline

Where possible, use is being made of gas pipeline excavations to better assess soils and variability. During February-April 1999, an extensive survey of the soils along the entire 150 km long South West Gas Pipeline (from Lara to Port Campbell) was carried out. Some 50 soil profiles were fully characterised, sampled and analysed. This work will be used to validate existing soil/landform mapping ('Soils and Landforms of Southwestern Victoria' 1987) and provide information which can be used in assessing management options for soils in the region. A good understanding of soil variability and catenary relationships has also been gained in a number of areas.


Describing soils along the SW Gas Pipeline.

'Living' Reports

'Living reports' refer to the continual updating of previous reporting. As new information (eg. soil, land use, erosion, water quality, salinity, etc) is recorded into a database, the report and/or map of that area is then also updated. It is envisaged that over time, web interfaces will be made available to a wide range of continually updated land resource information. With the move towards more online reports and maps, this will avoid the need to make reprint hardcopies every time an update is made. Much of this information will become available through the Victorian Resources Online website.

Catchment Condition reporting

The inception of Catchment Condition (State of Environment) reporting has provided an opportunity to develop methodologies for a land use impact and soil condition index. However, improved land resource information is required to identify both spatial and temporal change resulting from current and future land use. Therefore, future LRA studies in Victoria will continue to collect data to support trend analysis and reporting of catchment condition.

The Land Use Impact Index is both a framework and model that will identify the mismatch between land use/management and land capability. It is expected that this model will become a robust performance indicator for sustainable land use across Victoria. The indicator will be invaluable for targeting key land management programs and resources, and modelling the on-site and off-site impacts of new and proposed land use. The model can utilise various data sets (eg. land hazard, land use, groundwater levels etc) at a variety of scales (ie. statewide to paddock scale). This will allow a different approach to be taken depending upon the user and application of the information. At this point in time, Land Systems at a scale of 1:250 000 provides the only consistent statewide coverage.

The soil condition index has been developed to benchmark soil condition for major soil types within Victoria. In addition, the Soil Condition Index can be utilised to measure the impact of various forms of land use on the soil resource, and will form an integral component of the Land Use Impact Index. Monitoring soil condition and health will require identifying representative soil types to monitor which will represent the major (or significant) soil types (taking into account landscape, climate and land use difference) occurring across Victoria. The land and soil survey work undertaken in Victoria will provide an excellent platform to establish strategic long term monitoring sites for a cross section of soil types and land use conditions.

How will this be achieved?

Training

Awareness Training

As part of a National Landcare Program funded project, which commenced in 1993, a number of soil pits were described for selected Landcare Groups across Victoria. Also, a number of Soil Classification and Characterisation Workshops were held for Departmental staff throughout Victoria. These activities have resulted in significant awareness raising about the value of well characterised soil sites. It is intended to continue Soil Classification and Characterisation training within NRE as well as involve other organisations where appropriate. Field Days will also be held for key stakeholders as a part of major surveys to cover land management and soil related issues. These will be targeted towards landowners and key Departmental as well as Catchment Management Authority staff.


Soil Characterisation Workshop in the Mallee region.

Soil Characterisation Workshop in the Mallee region.

Regional Data Net

Although Victoria has continued to undertake land resource assessment programs since the 1940's, there have been many small projects collecting land resource information for research institutes, agency extension officers and community groups. Unfortunately, much of this information has never been collated and integrated with key statewide data sets. It is therefore imperative that any future LRA activities, however small, contribute to the improvement of our data sets and understanding of important land management issues.

The Regional Data Net (RDN) project offers a range of important benefits to DNRE, Catchment Management Authorities and other stakeholders. It will improve access to information about the status, quality and management of Victorian natural resources. This access will be facilitated by the establishment of a central data hub (combination of data servers in Melbourne), regional data servers and satellite centres. This will maximise regional and local access to existing corporate databases and GIS libraries, and provide the capacity to capture information via the web relating to on-ground activity and site assessment.

The RDN will be available to DNRE staff in December 2000. It will contain land resource data that is captured by DNRE, some of which will include: geology, soils, mapped native vegetation, mapped pest plant and animal infestations, mapped salinity and groundwater information, to mention a few. The system will be developed incrementally in response to the needs of the users. As the benefits of RDN become apparent, users will be trained to independently identify or update data sets within the RDN framework.

Victorian Resources Online website

The Victorian Resources Online (VRO) website is provides a wide range of maps and information about Victoria's natural resources (climate, soil, land, water, vegetation) and natural resource management. This information is being presented at both statewide and regional levels. A range of land resource assessment products will be displayed on the website. Soils information ranges from broadscale overview maps of soils across regions (eg. Sodosols, Vertosols, etc) to more detailed soil/landform mapping, where available. These maps will be clickable to reveal textual information as well as links to soil pit profile descriptions. Where possible, technical terms are linked to a Soils Glossary which is being developed as a visual learning tool. Information on the distribution of land degradation is also being developed.

Initially, information has been made available for the Wimmera region. This will be followed by the North Central and Goulburn Broken regions by June 2001.

Statewide information on VRO website:

Regional information on VRO website:

Soil and Land Information Development

Regolith Information

The extent of regolith mapping is described in a paper by Joyce (1997). This mapping has mainly been carried out by research students associated with Bernie Joyce at the University of Melbourne. Cooperation between Geological Survey of Victoria (NRE) and Universities has developed a program which will have application beyond mineral exploration. Mapping units have been based on landform and regolith development, using field mapping and techniques such as interpretation of satellite imagery, air-borne radiometrics and magnetics, as well as ancillary data sets (eg. maps of original vegetation). The integration of this mapping with future land resource mapping activities within NRE will initially take place within the Corangamite and Glenelg regions of Victoria.

Soil Site Information

The Victorian Soil Site Database was developed initially as part of a NLP funded project in 1995/96. It has been developed with an Access database front-end and a manual update procedure. This database complies with the ACLEP SITES standards. This is currently providing information associated with more than 2 000 sites throughout Victoria. There are potentially many thousands of additional sites that can be added providing georeferencing is carried out from sites marked on aerial photographs associated with older surveys. The current database is inadequate as a stand-alone database across the Statewide network. It is proposed to develop a more robust database, which will be more suitable for a multi-user environment. The ASRIS project of the NLWRA has supported input of data for a number of soil sites across Victoria.

Soil Reference Sites

A network of Soil Pit Reference Sites is being developed throughout Victoria. Over the past 6 years, some 600 Sites have been characterised and used to support: Landcare activities (identifying major soils within selected Landcare Groups); major surveys (eg. West Gippsland, Corangamite regions), and trial site characterisation (ie. NRE, Southern Farming Systems, private forestry trials etc). These will be used to support soil/landscape surveys as well as a number of NRE initiatives (monitoring soil and land condition, extension, soil health action planning).

It is anticipated that Reference Sites will become an important component of a number of future NRE related projects (eg. catchment condition monitoring; Soil Health Action Planning etc). When possible, paired sites will be selected, with one site representing natural, uncleared or limited development conditions; the other representative of agricultural management. It is anticipated that Reference Sites will provide: information for planning and policy at both regional and statewide levels; support for activities associated with Regional Catchment Strategies (eg. soil health action plans); the basis for property management planning; key information for land suitability assessment; frameworks for NRE extension activities, and enhanced soil and land related information on the Victorian Resources Online website. Emphasis will also be placed on obtaining a wider range of soil property measurements (eg. saturated hydraulic conductivity and bulk density).


Excavating a soil pit in a Blue Gum trial site.

Land Use Mapping

Land use mapping is currently being developed at regional scale (1:100 000 scale) using Landsat imagery. This information will be used in future soil erosion risk modelling and in projects involved in matching land use with land capability.

References:

Jenkin, J.J. (1988). See 'Geomorphology' in Douglas and Ferguson (1988). Second Edition. Geology of Victoria.

Joyce, E.B. (1999). A new Regolith Landform Map of the Western Victorian Volcanic Plains, Victoria, Australia. In Proceedings of 3rd Australian Regolith Conference - 'New Approaches to an Old Climate. Cooperative Research Centre for Landscape Evolution and Mineral Exploration. Kalgoorlie, 2-9 May 1998. pp. 117-126.

Contact Department of Natural Resources and Environment

Further information

Link to the Map Maker to make a map using this information.

Download technical documents describing the Australian Soil Resources Information System modelling procedures:

Proposed Polygon Standards

Before you download

Most publications are downloadable as PDF files. Adobe Acrobat Reader  is required to view PDF files.

If you are unable to access a publication, please contact us to organise a suitable alternative format.

Key

   Links to an another web site
   Opens a pop-up window