14
Land system 84 FORK L Upland pla with shrubs State land uplands wi spinifex. Geology: unweather shale of Up Geomorph the Kimber rocky surfa than 30 m with upland interfluve c pattern of i unchannel m high. Land man subjected t Underlying system. Sh aerial photo Stylised bl ms of the Kim LAND SY ains and roc s and curly d type: Und ith eucalypt Lateritized red, gently d pper Proter hology: Fo rley surface aces, comp high, and c d plains and crests; mod incised valle led floors in nagement: A to regular b sandstone a hallow gorges ograph is abo lock diagram mberley Reg YSTEM (F cky undulati spinifex. ulating plai t woodlands or relatively dipping san ozoic age. rmed by dis e - undulatin rising round cuestas up t d gently rou erately den eys with sha n upper part A rocky sys burning it is and shale geo s and seepag out 7 km. Ph m showing loc ion Fok) ng country, ns and s and y dstone and ssection of ng terrain: ded hills les to 15 m high unded se branchin allow ts; relief les stem little us inherently r ology create ge zones sh hoto: Landga cation of land , sandy and d ss h, ng ss than 30 m sed for graz resilient with distinctive p ow as green ate d units 1057 km d skeletal so m, but marg zing; althoug h very low s patterns on th n areas. Wid m 2 oils, low ope inal escarp gh (like mos susceptibilit he Fork land th of this 200 Source: W en woodlan ments up to st systems) ty to erosion 08 WKY ds o 90 ) it is n.

FORK LAND SYSTEM (Fok) 1057 km2 Source: W · 2015-09-02 · Land systems of the Kimberley Region 85 FORK LAND SYSTEM (Fok) – land units Unit Approx. area (%) Landforms Soils* Vegetation*

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Page 1: FORK LAND SYSTEM (Fok) 1057 km2 Source: W · 2015-09-02 · Land systems of the Kimberley Region 85 FORK LAND SYSTEM (Fok) – land units Unit Approx. area (%) Landforms Soils* Vegetation*

Land system

84

FORK LUpland plawith shrubsState landuplands wispinifex. Geology: unweathershale of UpGeomorphthe Kimberrocky surfathan 30 m with uplandinterfluve cpattern of iunchannelm high. Land mansubjected t

Underlying system. Shaerial photo

Stylised bl

ms of the Kim

LAND SYains and rocs and curly

d type: Undith eucalypt

Lateritized red, gently dpper Proterhology: Forley surfaceaces, comphigh, and cd plains andcrests; modincised valleled floors in

nagement: Ato regular b

sandstone ahallow gorgesograph is abo

lock diagram

mberley Reg

YSTEM (Fcky undulatispinifex. ulating plait woodlands

or relativelydipping sanrozoic age. rmed by dis

e - undulatinrising round

cuestas up td gently rouerately deneys with shan upper part

A rocky sysburning it is

and shale geos and seepagout 7 km. Ph

m showing loc

ion

Fok) ng country,

ns and s and

y dstone and

ssection of ng terrain: ded hills lesto 15 m highunded se branchinallow ts; relief les

stem little usinherently r

ology create ge zones sh

hoto: Landga

cation of land

, sandy and

d

ss h,

ng

ss than 30 m

sed for grazresilient with

distinctive pow as green

ate

d units

1057 kmd skeletal so

m, but marg

zing; although very low s

patterns on thn areas. Wid

m2

oils, low ope

inal escarp

gh (like mossusceptibilit

he Fork land dth of this 200

Source: Wen woodlan

ments up to

st systems)ty to erosion

08

WKY ds

o 90

) it is n.

Page 2: FORK LAND SYSTEM (Fok) 1057 km2 Source: W · 2015-09-02 · Land systems of the Kimberley Region 85 FORK LAND SYSTEM (Fok) – land units Unit Approx. area (%) Landforms Soils* Vegetation*

Land systems of the Kimberley Region

85

FORK LAND SYSTEM (Fok) – land units

Unit Approx.

area (%)

Landforms Soils* Vegetation* Pasture type+

1 13 Plains and interfluve crests: plains up to 3.2 km wide and interfluve crests up to 1.6 km wide; sandy slopes less than 1% with pebble patches.

Mainly yellowish sandy soils high in laterite gravels: Table-land family (5). Some yellowish loamy soils, high in laterite gravels and slate fragments: Elliott family (6).

Low woodland with moderately dense to dense shrub layers and Triodia bitextura. Eucalyptus brevifolia and E. phoenicea alliances (5, 7). Locally, Melaleuca thickets (36).

CSPP

2 65 Rocky surfaces: up to 4.8 km in extent; benched hillslopes up to 70% and cuesta dip slopes up to 5%; boulder mantles and laterite exposure locally.

Much rock outcrop with yellowish and reddish gravelly skeletal soils and some laterite remnants (24).

Low woodlands with moderately dense shrub layer and Triodia bitextura. E. phoenicea - Corymbia ferruginea alliance (7); locally 1a and 36.

CAHP

3 11 Headwater valley floors: up to 800 m wide; sandy slopes up to 2%; with lightly sealed surfaces and pebble patches.

Yellowish loamy soils, commonly with moderate amounts of rock fragments: Elliott family (6).

Grassy woodlands characterised by Aristida hygrometrica. C. polycarpa commonly (25), locally 36.

TAPP

4 4 Drainage floors: up to 400 m wide, gradients 1 in 100 to 1 in 300.

Limited areas of clayey alluvial soils: Fitzroy family (22).

As for unit 3. CSPP

5 7 Channels: up to 30 m wide and 1.8 m deep, incised in bedrock.

Channels, bed-loads range from sand to boulders. Banks brownish stony alluvial soils. Robinson family (21).

Fringing woodlands. E. camaldulensis - Melaleuca spp. fringing community (41).

FRIP

* Numbers in brackets refer to soil family or vegetation community/alliance in ‘General report on lands of the West Kimberley area, WA’ (Speck et al. 1970).

+ Pasture types described in Appendix 1.

Note: Proportions and occurrence of pasture types within land units are subject to change over time due to invasion by native and introduced species, seasonal conditions, fire frequency and grazing management.

Page 3: FORK LAND SYSTEM (Fok) 1057 km2 Source: W · 2015-09-02 · Land systems of the Kimberley Region 85 FORK LAND SYSTEM (Fok) – land units Unit Approx. area (%) Landforms Soils* Vegetation*

Land systems of the Kimberley Region

86

FORREST LAND SYSTEM (Frt) 2347 km2 Source: WKY Mountainous country with quartzite ridges and hilly basalt vales, sandy soils and red earths, low open woodlands with spinifex and grassy woodlands. State land type: Hills, ranges and plateaux with eucalypt woodlands and spinifex. Geology: Folded Upper Proterozoic quartzite, sandstone, and shale, with basalt and dolerite flows of Upper Proterozoic or Lower Cambrian age. Geomorphology: Formed by dissection of the Kimberley surface - plateaux and mountain ranges: extensive quartzite ridges, rounded basalt hills, and narrow basalt floors, in strike belts up to 9.6 km and 80 km long; moderately dense, rectangular pattern of incised valleys, comprising strike-controlled trunk drainage and short, steep tributaries. Land management: Restricted lower parts of this rugged system support pastures which are moderately favoured by cattle but the majority is poorly accessible; controlled grazing is desirable but difficult in this terrain. Low or very low susceptibility to erosion, high scenic amenity.

This oblique aerial photograph of Dimond Gorge on the Fitzroy River shows a massive sandstone ridge of the Precipice land system (left) and the complex of basaltic low hills (dark) and low quartzite ridges (pale) of the Forrest land system. Photo: DAFWA

Stylised block diagram showing location of land units

Page 4: FORK LAND SYSTEM (Fok) 1057 km2 Source: W · 2015-09-02 · Land systems of the Kimberley Region 85 FORK LAND SYSTEM (Fok) – land units Unit Approx. area (%) Landforms Soils* Vegetation*

Land systems of the Kimberley Region

87

FORREST LAND SYSTEM (Frt) – land units

Unit Approx.

area (%)

Landforms Soils* Vegetation* Pasture type+

1 50 Quartzite ridges: up to 150 m high and 32 km long; narrow, rocky crests and benched slopes exceeding 100%; locally with boulder fans up to 275 m long, slopes up to 20%.

Mainly outcrop with areas of shallow, sandy skeletal soil (24), with bouldery yellowish sandy soils on aprons: Tableland family (5).

Open woodland, with scattered shrubs and Triodia bitextura. Eucalyptus brevifolia and Corymbia dichromophloia alliances (1d, 3, 6, 8c).

CAHP

2 18 Basalt hills and ridges: 6-60m high, locally up to 4.8 km long; benched rocky slopes up to 60% with basal scree slopes up to 20%.

Mainly outcrop with shallow red basaltic soil: Walsh family (4).

Open box woodland, scattered shrubs and Sehima nervosum - Sorghum spp. ground storey. E. tectifica alliance (15).

CAHP 50% WGBP 50%

3 14 Lower slopes: concave up to 5%, and up to 800 m long; extensively masked with colluvium.

Deep red basaltic soil: Frayne family (3).

Grassy woodland with scattered shrubs and Sehima nervosum - Dichanthium fecundum ground storey. E. tectifica alliance (15).

WGBP

4 5 Alluvial fans: up to 550 m long, gradients between 1 in 20 and 1 in 60; gullies eroded to 3 m.

Yellowish sandy soils high in quartz fragments: Tableland family (5).

Grassy woodlands with scattered shrubs and Triodia bitextura. E. brevifolia and E. tectifica alliances (1d, 14c).

CSPP

5 3 Stony rises: up to 9 m high, gently rounded crests up to 180 m wide, marginal slopes less than 5%.

Dark, weakly self-mulching heavy clays: Cununurra family (12), with fine strew cover.

Very open, low woodlands with Chrysopogon spp. - Dichanthium fecundum and Aristida browniana ground storeys, Bauhinia cunninghamii alliance (37a), 38c).

RAPP

6 2 Drainage floors: up to 275 m wide, gradients 1 in 200 to 1 in 500.

Locally developed reddish and brownish stony, clayey alluvial soils: Fitzroy family (22).

Grassy woodlands with scattered shrubs, frontage grasses, and Aristida hygrometrica. C. bella alliance (22a, 22b).

FRGP

7 8 Channels: up to 90 m wide and 3 m deep, ranging from hillslope channels, gradients up to 1 in 6, to main channels with gradients as low as 1 in 500.

Channels, bed-loads range from sand to boulders. Banks, brownish loamy alluvial soil: Robinson family (21).

Fringing woodland. E. camaldulensis - Terminalia platyphylla fringing communities (41, 42).

FRIP

* Numbers in brackets refer to soil family or vegetation community/alliance in ‘General report on lands of the West Kimberley area, WA’ (Speck et al. 1970).

+ Pasture types described in Appendix 1.

Note: Proportions and occurrence of pasture types within land units are subject to change over time due to invasion by native and introduced species, seasonal conditions, fire frequency and grazing management.

Page 5: FORK LAND SYSTEM (Fok) 1057 km2 Source: W · 2015-09-02 · Land systems of the Kimberley Region 85 FORK LAND SYSTEM (Fok) – land units Unit Approx. area (%) Landforms Soils* Vegetation*

Land system

88

FOSSIL Extensive State landgrasslandsGeology: outcrops oGeomorphalluvial plaand 16 kmranges, cominor outcrestricted, subparalleupper margof subparadrainage insectors. Land manare resiliensusceptibil

Stylised pl* The name F

Carnarvon

ms of the Kim

2 LANDdark cracki

d type: Alluvs. Quaternary

of Devonian hology: All

ains: strike b wide at the

omprising crcrop rises uplow, linear sl pattern of gin, and mo

allel anastomn belts up to

nagement: nt and not pity to erosio

lan diagram sFossil has beenBasin survey ar

mberley Reg

SYSTEMng clay plaivial plains w

y calcareouslimestone l

uvial plainsbelts up to 4e foot of limracking clayp to 6 m higsandy risesshort draina

oderately demosing distro 9.6 km wid

Mitchell andprone to degon; controlle

showing arran applied to two reas.

ion

M (Fsl)*ns formed o

with tussock

s alluvium; locally. - tributary

48 km long estone

y plains withgh and s; sparse age zones aense patternributary de in lowes

d other grasgradation uned stocking

angement of different land s

on limestonk

h

at n

st

ss pasturesnless grazinessential.

f land units systems in West

2606 kmne deposits

are of veryng levels ar

tern Australia. F

m2

with grassla

y high pastoe excessive

Productive pastures (Ain this instaMitchell grapectinata) - cracking clacharacteristand numerosystems. Photo: DAF

Fossil 1 occurs

Source: Wands.

oral value. Te. Generally

Mitchell grasAstrebla spp.)ance barley ass (Astrebla- pastures onay plains aretic of Fossil 2ous other lan

FWA

in the Gascoyn

WKY

They y low

ss ) -

a n e 2 nd

e and

Page 6: FORK LAND SYSTEM (Fok) 1057 km2 Source: W · 2015-09-02 · Land systems of the Kimberley Region 85 FORK LAND SYSTEM (Fok) – land units Unit Approx. area (%) Landforms Soils* Vegetation*

Land systems of the Kimberley Region

89

FOSSIL 2 LAND SYSTEM (Fsl) – land units

Unit Approx.

area (%)

Landforms Soils* Vegetation* Pasture type+

1 83 Cracking clay plains: gradients mainly less than 1 in 500 but up to 1 in 100; locally with marginal dissection up to 6 m; hummocky surfaces with gilgais.

Dark grey and brown, strongly self-mulching heavy clay: Cununurra (12). Wonardo (14) families. Commonly with gilgais.

Mitchell grass, ribbon grass-bluegrass, and ribbon grass grasslands and very open grassy woodlands. Astrebla spp. Chrysopogon spp. - Dichanthium fecundum, and Chrysopogon spp. communities (47, 48, 49) and Bauhinia cunnighamii alliance (37a, 38c); locally 20b.

MGAP 80% RAPP 10% BGAP 10%

2 4 Outcrop slopes: less than 400 m in extent; cobble-strewn slopes up to 10%.

Outcrop with shallow, dark brown and grey, loamy to clayey calcareous soils: Oscar family (11).

Spinifex with scattered trees and shrubs, and open woodlands. Triodia wiseana community (58) and Corymbia dichromophloia alliance (8a, 8b).

HSPP

3 1 Sandy rises: up to 0.6 m high and less than 90 m long, flanked by narrow linear depressions up to 0.3 m deep.

Yellowish sandy soils: Tableland family (5).

Open grassy woodland with Chrysopogon spp. C. dichromophloia - E. argillacea community (9b).

RGRP

4 12 Drainage zone: up to 800 m wide, with numerous channels up to 18 m wide and 4.5 m deep; gradients 1 in 200 to 1 in 2000.

Dark grey and brown, strongly self-mulching heavy cracking clay: Cununurra (12) and Wonardo (14) families.

Open grassy woodland with Chrysopogon spp. - Dichanthium fecundum, frontage grasses, and Chrysopogon spp. ground storeys. Bauhinia cunninghamii alliance (37a, 37b, 39); locally 43.

RAPP 50% BGAP 50%

* Numbers in brackets refer to soil family or vegetation community/alliance in ‘General report on lands of the West Kimberley area, WA’ (Speck et al. 1970).

+ Pasture types described in Appendix 1.

Note: Proportions and occurrence of pasture types within land units are subject to change over time due to invasion by native and introduced species, seasonal conditions, fire frequency and grazing management.

Page 7: FORK LAND SYSTEM (Fok) 1057 km2 Source: W · 2015-09-02 · Land systems of the Kimberley Region 85 FORK LAND SYSTEM (Fok) – land units Unit Approx. area (%) Landforms Soils* Vegetation*

Land system

90

FOSTERLaterite-casoils. State landeucalypt wGeology adissected lformed on The lateriteappear to bsurface. Drainage: between mstreamlineLand manfall within ugenerally s

Eucalypt wotrack in this Photo: Mich

Stylised bl

ms of the Kim

R LAND Sapped volca

d type: Hillswoodlands aand Geomolateritic platMornington

e cappings be remnant

Sparse, limmesas, and

s of dendritnagement: unallocatedstable and n

oodlands andundulating a

hal Synowiec

lock diagram

mberley Reg

SYSTEManic mesa a

s and lowlanand spinifexorphology: teaux on von and youngof the highe

ts of a Tertia

mited to smawidely spactic pattern oLarge parts crown land

not prone to

d forests witharea of Fostec (Panoramio

m showing loc

ion

M (Fos)nd plateau

nds with . Immaturelylcanic rocksger volcanicer parts ary land

all streamlinced on uplands.s of the systd or conservo erosion. It

h a distinctiveer land systeo.com)

cation of land

country wit

y s, cs.

nes

tem vation resert includes v

e understoreem on the Mit

d units

3309 kmh open fore

rves and arevery large de

ey of fan palmtchell Platea

m2

est vegetatio

e little grazeeposits of b

ms (Livistonau, North Kim

Source: on and grav

ed. It is bauxite.

a sp.) frame tmberley.

NKY velly

the

Page 8: FORK LAND SYSTEM (Fok) 1057 km2 Source: W · 2015-09-02 · Land systems of the Kimberley Region 85 FORK LAND SYSTEM (Fok) – land units Unit Approx. area (%) Landforms Soils* Vegetation*

FOS

Unit

1

2

3

4

* NuWA

+ Pa

Note:

The lphotoPhoto

STER LAN

t Approx.

area (%)

60 Tuu

10 Ssm

25 Fla

5 Lg

umbers refer to A' (Speck et al.

asture types des

Proportions aand introduce

laterite-cappeograph of Cao: Robert Wa

D SYSTEM

Landfor

Tops of mesaupland parts oundulating are

Slopes, flats astream-lines bmesas

Flats betweenaterite upland

Lower portiongentle slopes

vegetation com1960). Number

scribed in Appe

nd occurrence oed species, seas

ed volcanic rape Bougainvanless (alias

M (Fos) –

rms

s and of eas

Sk

and between

Msoeare

n the ds

Fipo

ns of the La

mmunities/alliancrs in bold type inndix 1.

of pasture typessonal conditions

rocks of Fostville jutting ouR Wanless,

land units

Soils

keletal laterite

Mixed red leveeoils, igneous rarths, and skeed earths.

ind-textured yodzolics.

ateritic podzol

ces listed in 'Lanndicate dominan

s within land uns, fire frequency

ter land systeut into the TiPanoramio.

La

s

e. WoodEucaly25, 28dichroallianc

e ed

eletal

WoodC. grabella (

ellow Woodalliancsp. forunder

ics. Woodallianc

nds and Pastorants.

its are subject toy and grazing m

em are very imor Sea in tcom)

and systems

Vegetation*

lands and foreyptus tetrodon8, 29) and Coromophloia (40)ces.

lands: E. tectiandifolia (1, 3) (53, 54) allianc

lands: C. latifoce (48, 50) (Livrms well-devestorey).

lands: E. tectice (1).

al Resources of

o change over tanagement.

evident in ththe far North

of the Kimbe

* Pa

ests: nta (24, rymbia ) sub-

CA

ifica - and C.

ces.

PLSTTGBSG

folia ivistona eloped

RGCS

ifica sub- CSRG

f the North Kimb

time due to inva

his aerial obli Kimberley.

erley Region

91

asture type+

HP

SP 60% GP 20% GP 20%

RP 80% PP 20%

PP 60% RP 40%

berley area,

asion by native

ique

n

Page 9: FORK LAND SYSTEM (Fok) 1057 km2 Source: W · 2015-09-02 · Land systems of the Kimberley Region 85 FORK LAND SYSTEM (Fok) – land units Unit Approx. area (%) Landforms Soils* Vegetation*

Land system

92

FRANKLMany smathroughoutState landeucalypt wGeology: Lower CamsedimentsGeomorphplain. Drainage: of both coaLand manfloors (unitpastures wrequire condegradatio

Stylised bl

ms of the Kim

LIN LANll areas of mt the southe

d type: Hillswoodlands a

Lateritized mbrian volca. hology: Dis

Moderatelyastal and in

nagement: ts 4 & 5) su

which are atntrolled stoc

on.

lock diagram

mberley Reg

D SYSTEmesas and ern half of ths and lowlanand spinifexsediments aanics and A

ssected elev

y intense deland draininLower slopepport tussotractive to lcking to pre

m showing loc

ion

EM (Frk)dissection she Ord-Victonds with . and volcani

Adelaidean

vated laterit

endritic pattng streams.es and valleck grass ivestock an

event

cation of land

scarps capporia survey

ics;

tic

tern

ey

nd

d units

548 kmped with latarea.

m2

eritic mater

This aerialshows a fl(dark browsurroundedissected slopes of tland systeThe width image is aPhoto: Lan

Source: rial, scattere

al photographlat mesa top wn in centre) ed by highly

colluvial the Franklin

em. of this 2005

about 3 km. ndgate

OVC ed

h

5

Page 10: FORK LAND SYSTEM (Fok) 1057 km2 Source: W · 2015-09-02 · Land systems of the Kimberley Region 85 FORK LAND SYSTEM (Fok) – land units Unit Approx. area (%) Landforms Soils* Vegetation*

Land systems of the Kimberley Region

93

FRANKLIN LAND SYSTEM (Frk) – land units

Unit Approx.

area (%)

Landforms Soils Vegetation Pasture type+

1 10 Gentle slopes above scarps

Wonorah shallow phase - red-brown clay loam with many ferruginous concretions.

Snappy gum sparse low woodland (Eucalyptus brevifolia) or stringybark - bloodwood woodland (Corymbia dichromophloia), both with soft spinifex (Triodia pungens).

SSPP

2 2 Steep scarps and upper slopes

Outcrops of ferruginous, mottled, and pallid zones with pockets of skeletal soils.

Snappy gum sparse low woodland (E. brevifolia) with soft spinifex (Triodia pungens) or lancewood forest with bare ground.

SSPP

3 50 Moderate colluvial slopes with many small gullies

Shallow reddish soils with much ferruginous gravel.

Snappy gum sparse low woodland (E. brevifolia) with soft spinifex (Triodia pungens) or upland tall grass (Sorghum timorense).

SSPP

4 25 Moderate to gentle lower slopes

Frayne - brown loam merging into dark red clay; some Argyle - brown cracking clay.

Bloodwood - southern box woodland (Corymbia terminalis) with Tippera tall grass (Themeda triandra).

TTGP

5 10 Valley floors Cununurra - grey cracking clay.

Mitchell and other mid-height grasses (Astrebla pectinata, Aristida latifolia).

MGAP

6 3 Stream channels

Fringing communities. FRIP

+ Pasture types described in Appendix 1.

Note: Proportions and occurrence of pasture types within land units are subject to change over time due to invasion by native and introduced species, seasonal conditions, fire frequency and grazing management.

Page 11: FORK LAND SYSTEM (Fok) 1057 km2 Source: W · 2015-09-02 · Land systems of the Kimberley Region 85 FORK LAND SYSTEM (Fok) – land units Unit Approx. area (%) Landforms Soils* Vegetation*

Land system

94

FRASERSandplain State landpindan woograsslandsGeology: outcrops osandstoneGeomorphwith througirregular lincover and sandplain fthrough-golocally incisLand mansand dunerapidly afteresilient un

Stylised bl

ms of the Kim

R LAND with irregul

d type: Sanodlands ands. Quaternary

of gently dip. hology: Sagh-going dranear dunes,local outcroflanking dra

oing trunk dsed tributar

nagement: Ses (unit 2) wer rain. Fire nder control

lock diagram

mberley Reg

SYSTEMar dunes andplains andd spinifex/tu

y aeolian saping Cretac

andplain andainage: san, plains withop, and low-ainage floorrainage wit

ries; relief leSystem is g

which have mhistory affeled grazing

m showing loc

ion

M (Fra)nd local stod dunes withussock

nd; minor ceous

d dunefieldsndplain with h thin sand -lying

rs; sparse h branchingess than 9 mgenerally stamoderate suects compos.

cation of land

ony surfacesh

s

g, m. able with lousceptibilitysition and d

d units

728 kms, pindan an

w susceptiby immediatedensity of pi

PsmaosfWpP

m2

nd low gras

bility to erosely after fire ndan veget

Patterns of thsystem resulmixture of lanas sandplainoutcrop plainsand cover afloors. Width of this photograph isPhoto: Landg

Source: Wssy woodlan

sion except but stabilis

tation which

he Fraser lanlt from a nd units such

ns, sand dunens with thin and drainage

2007 aerial is about 6 kmgate

WKY nds.

for e

h is

nd

h es,

e

m.

Page 12: FORK LAND SYSTEM (Fok) 1057 km2 Source: W · 2015-09-02 · Land systems of the Kimberley Region 85 FORK LAND SYSTEM (Fok) – land units Unit Approx. area (%) Landforms Soils* Vegetation*

Land systems of the Kimberley Region

95

FRASER LAND SYSTEM (Fra) – land units

Unit Approx.

area (%)

Landforms Soils* Vegetation* Pasture type+

1 36 Sandplains: up to 4.8 km in extent with slopes less than 1%; pans up to 1.2 km wide and 1.5 m deep locally, with bare cracking floors.

Reddish sandy soils: Yabbagoddy family (1). With brownish massive heavy clays in pans (30).

Low woodland (pindan) with prominent Acacia shrub layer and Triodia bitextura - Chrysopogon spp. ground storey. Corymbia dichromophloia - C. zygophylla - Acacia spp. community (10).

PINP

2 13 Sand dunes: up to 6.4 km long and 9 m high; flanks slope up to 15%.

Deep red sands: Cockatoo family (7).

Variable. Woodlands as in unit 1. Also more open woodlands with Triodia pungens and Aristida browniana. Bauhinia cunninghamii alliance (38b, 38c).

PINP 70% SSPP 30%

3 16 Sandplains with outcrop: up to 3.2 km in extent with slopes less than 0.5%, marginally dissected up to 9 m into narrow spurs with slopes up to 5%, discontinuous sand mantles and local outcrop.

Shallow, gravelly, reddish skeletal soil (24). Some reddish sandy soils: Yabbagoddy family (1). Some outcrop.

Open woodlands and patches of pindan with Triodia bitextura - Chrysopogon spp. ground storey. Adansonia gregorii and C. dichromophloia alliances (31, 10); locally 57 and 54.

PINP

4 27 Low-lying sandplains: up to 1.6 km wide; slopes less than 0.3% but attaining 1% locally.

Yellowish, mottled, sandy soils: Tableland family (5).

Complex of grassy woodlands and pindan vegetation with Chrysopogon spp., and Triodia bitextura. Bauhinia cunninghamiii and C. dichromophloia alliances (10, 12, 37b, 38a); locally 34a and 38c.

RGRP 50% PINP 50%

5 4 Drainage floors: up to 275 m wide, gradients 1 in 200 to 1 in 500: sealed, scalded surfaces with sand hummocks.

Probably yellowish, mottled loamy soils: Elliott family (6).

Low grassy woodland with Chrysopogon spp. Grevillea striata and Bauhinia cunninghamii alliances (34a, 37b).

RGRP

6 4 Channels: up to 30 m wide and 3 m deep.

Channels, bed-loads of deep sand. Banks, brownish loamy alluvial soils: Robinson family (21).

Fringing woodlands and forests. E. camaldulensis - Terminalia platyphylla fringing communities (41, 42, 43); also 39.

FRIP

* Numbers in brackets refer to soil family or vegetation community/alliance in ‘General report on lands of the West Kimberley area, WA’ (Speck et al. 1970).

+ Pasture types described in Appendix 1.

Note: Proportions and occurrence of pasture types within land units are subject to change over time due to invasion by native and introduced species, seasonal conditions, fire frequency and grazing management.

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Land system

96

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Land systems of the Kimberley Region

97

FRAYNE LAND SYSTEM (Fry) – land units

Unit Approx.

area (%)

Landforms Soils Vegetation Pasture type+

1 10 Rounded hills or structural benches in the east; bouldery rugged hills in the west

Mostly rock outcrops and basalt boulders, with pockets of skeletal soil.

Deciduous sparse low woodland with upland tall grass. Snappy gum sparse low woodland (Eucalyptus brevifolia) or trees absent with soft spinifex (Triodia pungens).

ASHP

2 65 Moderate to gentle slopes

Mostly Frayne - brown loam merging into dark red clay; some brown clay skeletal soils and small areas of Elliott.

Bloodwood-southern box sparse low woodland (Corymbia opaca, E. limitaris and E. tephrodes) or silver leaved box sparse low woodland (E. pruinosa) with Tippera tall grass (Themeda triandra, Sehima nervosum, Chrysopogon fallax).

TTGP

3 10 Gentle slopes Cununurra and Barkly - grey and brown cracking heavy clay.

Downs sparse low woodland (Terminalia arostrata, T. volucris), or trees absent with bluegrass tall grass (Dichanthium spp., Astrebla squarrosa) or Mitchell and other mid-height grasses (A. pectinata, Dichanthium fecundum, Panicum spp., Aristida latifolia).

BGAP MGAP

4 10 Moderate to gentle slopes adjacent to alluvial floors

Tobermorey - shallow grey to yellow-brown calcareous loamy soils.

Bloodwood-southern box sparse low woodland (C. opaca) with arid short grass (Enneapogon spp., Tragus australianus).

ASGP

5 3 Alluvial floors along streamlines

Variable light – to medium-textured alluvial soils.

Frontage woodland (C. opaca) with frontage grass (Themeda triandra).

FRGP

6 2 Steam channels

Fringing communities. FRIP

Comparable with Barton land system of the North Kimberley survey (NKY) area. + Pastures types described in Appendix 1.

Note: Proportions and occurrence of pasture types within land units are subject to change over time due to invasion by native and introduced species, seasonal conditions, fire frequency and grazing management.