Natural Resource Management

Soils in NSW

Soil Survey

Qualities and Limitations

Soil Qualities and Limitations

Landscape Qualities and Limitations

Land Capability

 

Soil Landscape Mapping Program – Soil and Landscape Qualities and Limitations

Introduction	Soil Qualities and Limitations	Landscape Qualities and Limitations	Urban capability	Rural capability
Urban capability
Rural capability	Regular cropping	Grazing

Urban Capability

Urban capability is the ability of a parcel of land to support a particular intensity of urban development without serious erosion and sedimentation occurring during construction as well as possible instability and drainage problems in the long-term (Houghton & Charman 1986). Urban capability is ranked on the basis of the severity of the limitations that are likely to affect urban land uses (Hannam & Hicks 1980). These are low, moderate and high (to severe).

Low limitations for urban development are areas with little or no physical limitations. Standard building designs may be used.

Moderate limitations may influence design and impose certain management requirements on developments to ensure a stable land surface is maintained during and after development. These limitations can be overcome by careful design and adoption of site management techniques that ensure land surface stability.

High (to severe) limitations for urban development include areas with limitations that are difficult to overcome, requiring detailed site investigation and engineering design. Some areas may be so unsuitable for urban development that they are best left undisturbed.

Capability statements in the soil landscape reports are intended for regional planning purposes. Any capability statements are general and apply to standard designs. Exceptions to capability statements may be found both as small pockets of land/soil or the use of non-standard designs. Non-standard designs that take into account particular site and soil constraints may result in sustainable solutions.

Although the information given may be of sufficient accuracy and detail for the planning of small scale, low value, low impact developments, detailed planning at the local level and more intensive capability assessments dependent on additional information are often necessary. Additional site-specific factors such as slope angle, position on slope, terrain element and specific soil conditions need to be examined and, where necessary, geotechnical engineering reports obtained. General capability rankings for applicable types of urban development are given for each soil landscape and are presented in soil landscape report chapter 4 tables.

 

Rural Capability

Rural capability is the ability of an area of land to sustain permanent agricultural or pastoral production without permanent damage. Land that is used beyond its rural capability will deteriorate rapidly, resulting in loss of production and a permanent loss of soil resources (Emery 1985). Rural Land Capability mapping at a scale of 1:100,000 has been completed for the eastern half of NSW.

General rural land capability classifications are provided for those soil landscapes where most of the land has not been urbanised or reserved as National Park or nature reserve. Rural land capability has been ranked on the basis of the severity of the limitations that are likely to affect regular cultivation and grazing practices. Three degrees of severity of limitations are used for regular cultivation and for grazing. They are low, moderate, and high to severe.

REGULAR CROPPING

Low limitations for regular cropping. A stable and productive land surface can be maintained in cropping systems (including minimum or no till farming practices; stubble retention; and rotational cropping) where consideration is given to maintaining and improving soil structure and nutrient status. Besides strip cropping in some circumstances, no other special soil conservation practices are necessary.

Moderate limitations for regular cropping. Soil conservation measures such as graded banks, waterways, diversion banks and contour cultivation are required to maintain surface stability and productivity. Further, cropping systems should incorporate minimum or no till farming practices that incorporate stubble retention and rotational cropping, with particular attention paid to soil structure and nutrient status.

High to severe limitations for regular cropping. Due to the severity of limitations present, land is not suitable for cropping and should be avoided.

GRAZING

Low limitations for grazing. Simple soil conservation practices such as pasture improvement, grazing pressure control, vermin control, application of seed, fertilisers and contour chisel ploughing are necessary to maintain a stable land surface.

Moderate limitations for grazing. Soil conservation measures such as graded banks, diversion banks, gully control structures as well as pasture improvement, controlled grazing pressure, vermin control, application of seed and fertiliser and contour chisel ploughing may be needed to maintain a stable land surface.

High to severe limitations for grazing. Land is generally best suited for green timber. Livestock should be excluded.

SOILS SITE MAP