Soil
Victoria has a wide variety of soil types that reflect differences in soil forming processes dictated by factors such as geology, landform, stream activity, vegetation, climate and age (i.e. degree of weathering). Soil underpins the productive potential of Victorian agriculture and forestry and the majority of soils are generally highly productive under good management practices.
Victorian Resources Online presents a wide range of soil information which will be continually expanded throughout the course of the project. A number of broadscale soil maps of Victoria are presented. More detailed soil maps and information will be progressively developed.
| Soil Health Soil Health refers to the 'fitness' (or condition) of soil to support specific uses (e.g. crop growth). This section provides a range of information on soil health, including a 'soil health checklist', 'soil health management plan', information sheets and key legacy documents. Soil pH Overview maps of surface and subsoil pH for Victoria, together with general information about soil pH and its significance for agriculture. Soil Texture Overview maps of soil surface and subsoil texture for Victoria. Soil Sodicity Sodicity is a key issue that influences soil behaviour. A new map showing the distribution of sodic subsoils in Victoria is available here. Soil Matters This section provides information generated from key workshops led by the Department, as well as events involving Soil Science Australia. Reports from workshops, recent project outputs and upcoming events. |  |  |
Soil and Land Survey Directory
Contains details of over 100 major soil and land surveys conducted in Victoria. Also, provides information on the history of soil survey in Victoria.
Soil Management
By understanding the behaviour of soils we can maximise their use in a sustainable way.
Soil structural degradation, nutrient decline, acidification and erosion can occur for many soils which are poorly managed.
Coastal Acid Sulfate Soils
Soil and Landscape Animations
Victorian State Soil
A State Soil of Victoria was selected by the Victorian Branch of the Australian Society of Soil Science Inc (ASSSI) during 2005. This section provides details of this process and information about a range of contenders for State Soil.
Soils Glossary
Related Reports
Trace Elements for Pastures and Animals in Victoria
Related Links
DEPI Agnote: What is Soil?
Australian Agriculture Assessment 2001 (external link) - information about Australian agriculture; agriculture profile; changing face of agriculture; landscape balances; nutrient management; soil acidification; soil erosion and nutrient loads.
Australian Soil Resource Information System (external link)
Land Theme Report (external link) prepared for State of the Environment (SOE) 2001 reporting - on the Department of the Environment and Heritage website. Includes information on: soil erosion, soil and land pollution, and secondary salinity and acidity in Australia.
The Australian Collaborative Land Evaluation Program (ACLEP) website (external link) provides information about soil and land survey collaboration in Australia - including an online version of the Australian Soil Classification.
The Soil Knowledge Exchange website (external link) is the web component of the Soil Knowledge Brokering Service being supported by the Victorian Catchment Management Council. The Soil Knowledge Exchange provides an aggregation of knowledge resources and links related to soils, as well as being a portal linking the soils community. Its function is to support and complement rather than substitute for other soils web resources.
Fertiliser Regulation in Victoria - DEPI regulates the content and labelling of fertilisers sold in Victoria to manage the risks from heavy metals and other contaminants in fertilisers. Continued use of fertilisers containing high levels of certain heavy metal contaminants in agricultural situations may lead to the accumulation of these contaminants in soils and residue levels in plant and animal products above Australian or international standards.
| Additional regional soils information |
© The State of Victoria, 1996 - .
This page was last updated on .