Soil-landscape mapping covering Western Australia at the best available scale (Version 05.01). It is a compilation of various surveys at different scales varying between 1:20,000 and 1:3,000,000. Show full descriptionSoil-landscape mapping covering Western Australia at the best available scale (Version 05.01). It is a compilation of various surveys at different scales varying between 1:20,000 and 1:3,000,000. Mapping conforms to a nested hierarchy established to deal with the varying levels of information resulting from the variety of scales in mapping. For further information refer to Department of Agriculture Resource Management Technical Reports RMTR No. 280 and RMTR No. 313. Land capability and land quality attribution is included, refer to Department of Agriculture Resource Management Technical Report No. 298 for a description of the methodology employed.

This dataset provides information about the areas of soil survey projects that have been compiled to create the Soil Landscape Mapping - Best Available (DPIRD-027) dataset as well as the scale and reliability of each survey. Show full description

Soil subsurface acidity is a land quality which may impact upon a variety of agricultural land uses and is based on analysis and interpretation of the best available soil-landscape mapping dataset (DPIRD-027). See DAFWA Resource Management Technical Report 298 for a description of the qualities assessed and the methodology involved. Show full description

Soil surface alkalinity is a land quality which may impact upon a variety of agricultural land uses and is based on analysis and interpretation of the best available soil-landscape mapping dataset …Show full descriptionSoil surface alkalinity is a land quality which may impact upon a variety of agricultural land uses and is based on analysis and interpretation of the best available soil-landscape mapping dataset (DPIRD-027). See DAFWA Resource Management Technical Report 298 for a description of the qualities assessed and the methodology involved.

Microbial purification is a land quality which may impact upon rural-residential development and related land uses and is based on analysis and interpretation of the best available soil-landscape mapping dataset (DPIRD-027). See DAFWA Resource Management Technical Report 298 for a description of the qualities assessed and the methodology involved.

Soil subsurface alkalinity is a land quality which may impact upon a variety of agricultural land uses and is based on analysis and interpretation of the best available soil-landscape mapping dataset (DPIRD-027). See DAFWA Resource Management Technical Report 298 for a description of the qualities assessed and the methodology involved. Show full description

Land instability risk is a land quality which may impact upon rural-residential development and related land uses and is based on analysis and interpretation of the best available soil-landscape …Show full descriptionLand instability risk is a land quality which may impact upon rural-residential development and related land uses and is based on analysis and interpretation of the best available soil-landscape mapping dataset (DPIRD-027). See DAFWA Resource Management Technical Report 298 for a description of the qualities assessed and the methodology involved.

Soil water storage is a land quality which may impact upon a variety of agricultural land uses and is based on analysis and interpretation of the best available soil-landscape mapping dataset (DPIRD-027). See DAFWA Resource Management Technical Report 298 for a description of the qualities assessed and the methodology involved. Show full description

Physical crop rooting depth is a land quality which may impact upon a variety of agricultural land uses and is based on analysis and interpretation of the best available soil-landscape mapping dataset (DPIRD-027). See DAFWA Resource Management Technical Report 298 for a description of the qualities assessed and the methodology involved. Show full description

Land instability risk is a land quality which may impact upon rural-residential development and related land uses and is based on analysis and interpretation of the best available soil-landscape mapping dataset (DPIRD-027). See DAFWA Resource Management Technical Report 298 for a description of the qualities assessed and the methodology involved. Show full description

Ease of excavation is a land quality which may impact upon rural-residential development and related land uses and is based on analysis and interpretation of the best available soil-landscape mapping dataset (DPIRD-027). See DAFWA Resource Management Technical Report 298 for a description of the qualities assessed and the methodology involved. Show full description

Site drainage potential is a land quality which may impact upon rural-residential development and related land uses and is based on analysis and interpretation of the best available soil-landscape mapping dataset (DPIRD-027). See DAFWA Resource Management Technical Report 298 for a description of the qualities assessed and the methodology involved. Show full description

Land capability for grazing in the south west of Western Australia based on analysis and interpretation of the best available soil-landscape mapping dataset (DPIRD-027). This assessment covers the grazing of sheep and cattle on broadscale dryland (i.e. nonirrigated) pastures in agricultural areas (receiving an average annual rainfall more than 350 mm). Land capability refers to the ability of land to support a type of land use without causing damage. See DAFWA Resource Management Technical Report 298 for a description of the qualities assessed and the methodology involved. Capability ratings do not take into account factors such as the availability and quality of water supplies for irrigation or climatic risks such as frost or heat stress. Such factors need to be considered as a separate layer of information.

Land capability for cropping in the south west of Western Australia based on analysis and interpretation of the best available soil-landscape mapping dataset (DPIRD-027). This assessment covers the production of rain-fed (non-irrigated) field crops under a cropping system that incorporates minimal tillage practices and stubble retention. This is a general assessment for common dryland crops grown over extensive areas (i.e. hundreds of hectares). It is best suited to the 350-600 mm rainfall zone where most extensive crops are grown (i.e. the wheatbelt), though may be extended to include some slightly higher rainfall areas. Crops included in this general assessment are wheat, barley, oats, narrow-leafed lupins, field peas, canola, chickpea and faba beans. Land capability refers to the ability of land to support a type of land use without causing damage. See DAFWA Resource Management Technical Report 298 for a description of the qualities assessed and the methodology involved. Capability ratings do not take into account factors such as the availability and quality of water supplies for irrigation or climatic risks such as frost or heat stress. Such factors need to be considered as a separate layer of information.

Land capability for annual horticulture in the south west of Western Australia based on analysis and interpretation of the best available soil-landscape mapping dataset (DPIRD-027). Land capability refers to the ability of land to support a type of land use without causing damage. See DAFWA Resource Management Technical Report 298 for a description of the qualities assessed and the methodology involved. The assessment for annual horticulture covers the production of irrigated horticultural crops from plants with short-term life cycles (typically completed within the period of a year). Crops include annual fruits (strawberries, melons, etc.), vegetables (e.g. potatoes, lettuce, cabbages, tomatoes, pumpkins, etc.), commercial turf production and cut flowers. The assumptions for the land use as assessed include: • crops are grown for commercial production • crops are shallow-rooted with most roots using only the top 50 cm of soil • crops are irrigated using sprinkler or trickle systems • mechanised cultivation occurs at least annually • fertilisers and herbicides, fungicides and/or pesticides are broadcast at least annually • crop rotation is practised • considers physical requirements only and ignores socio-economic factors. Capability ratings do not take into account factors such as the availability and quality of water supplies for irrigation or climatic risks such as frost or heat stress. Such factors need to be considered as a separate layer of information.

Land capability for perennial horticulture in the south west of Western Australia based on analysis and interpretation of the best available soil-landscape mapping dataset (DPIRD-027). The assessment for perennial horticulture covers production of irrigated horticultural crops on plants with long life-cycles (typically trees, shrubs or woody vines). Included are orchard crops (e.g. apples, citrus, stone fruit, avocados, nuts, etc.) and vineyard crops (e.g. grapes and kiwifruit). Although the plants are perennial, crops are harvested annually. The assumptions for the land use as assessed include: • crops are grown for commercial production • plants are deep-rooted with roots typically extending to depths of 100 cm or more • plants are irrigated using drip, micro-jet or mini-sprinkler systems • fertilisers and herbicides, fungicides and/or pesticides are broadcast at least annually • mechanised cultivation occurs only during crop establishment • weeds are controlled by mowing, slashing or sprays • machinery access to the crop is required for spraying, pruning and/or harvesting • considers physical requirements only and ignores socio-economic factors. Land capability refers to the ability of land to support a type of land use without causing damage. See DAFWA Resource Management Technical Report 298 for a description of the qualities assessed and the methodology involved. Capability ratings do not take into account factors such as the availability and quality of water supplies for irrigation or climatic risks such as frost or heat stress. Such factors need to be considered as a separate layer of information.