Land systems of Victoria, Australia

Abstract

Version 3 of the original state-wide land systems of Victoria provide a consistent method, nomenclature and description of land types across the State. The datset contains unique land system codes, soil and land descriptions and an assessment of susceptibility to various land degradational processes. The original Land Systems of Victoria, as described and delineated by Rowan in 1990, provided a statewide coverage of land types that are applicable to a wide range of land resource management and planning programs. These Land Systems sit within a geomorphological framework developed by Jenkin and Rowan. This data set consolidates a broad range of land resource information drawn from an uneven base to provide a consistent, if limited, coverage of the lands of Victoria. The explicit links with the original sources of data have been retained. The dataset was developed from a range of local and regional studies of varying methodologies and intensities over some forty years. The reliability of the information varies across regions accordingly. This edition (edited by David Rees) incorporates new survey material [Shires of West Wimmera, Lowan, West Towong and East Gippsland (east of Snowy River)] as well as changes in the nomenclature with the substitution of broad slope class with relative relief classes (eg. plains, hills, mountains). An addition factor (lithological age) was also added to the key. There is still a link with the 2nd edition in the main Land Systems table. The associated report for this dataset (link provided below) provides a description of each land system and its associated soil and landform properties. In some respects , the land system mapping has in recent times been superseeded by the Victorian geomorphological Framework (VGF) and the associated Geomorphological Map Unit (GMU) mapping. The Land Systems method involves an ecological approach; integrating environmental features often mapped singularly, eg. rainfall, geology, topography, soils and indigenous vegetation. Patterns occur, governed by climate, geology and landform, which interact over time to influence the distribution of soils and vegetation. A Land System is therefore a complex mapping unit that contains a pattern of land components each of which has little variation in climate, lithology (rock type), landform, soil and indigenous vegetation. The land component can therefore be regarded as a unit of management for broadscale uses such as dryland farming or forestry. Land System surveys have generally resulted in maps at 1:100 000 to 1:250 000 scale being produced. Many of these published studies describe (but do not map) the individual components of each Land System.