Historic soils of NSW This project was initiated by the NSW branch of the Australian Society of Soil Science (ASSSI) for the Sydney 2004 Supersoil conference but not completed until after the conference. It uses 9 soil monoliths, 4 from existing DPI collections and 5 new ones. The display begins by acknowledging the Aboriginal use of the land and soils in New South Wales. It associates the development of agriculture during the 19th century with the soils that supported it and looks at soil use up until the present day. The core of the display is a group of nine profiles representing the wide range of soil covering the state Segment 1: Ancient Land - Fragile soils Segment 2: Soils that saved us Segment 3: Soils that developed us Segment 4: Soils that support us (refer to table). A joint project between:
Historic soils of NSW Monolith location and description summaries Soil Classification Site Land use Distribution Ancient Land - Fragile Soils Calcarosol a soil containing calcium carbonate (lime) 15km of Balranald A soil from western NSW where Aborigines used fire to enhance their food supply, by stimulating grasses and suppressing woody weeds In the low rainfall and semi-arid regions of NSW Calcarosol a soil containing calcium carbonate (lime) 70km SE of Pooncarie A soil from western NSW where Aborigines camped beside ancient fresh water lakes In the low rainfall and semi-arid regions of NSW Soils That Saved Us Kandosol - structureless soil 60km Nth of Sydney Crops were poor around the early settlement at Sydney Cove on acidic, low-nutrient, sandy soils like this In eastern NSW kandosols are common on deeply weathered and sandy parent rocks Tenosol-weakly developed soil 3km NW of Windsor The good crops grown on this young loamy alluvial soil from the Hawkesbury River Flats helped avert starvation in the 1790 s Widespread but scattered throughout NSW, on floodplains and in rocky terrain Soils That Developed Us Chromosol- soil with an abrupt increase in clay 15km NW of West Wyalong During the 19th century agriculture expanded rapidly Common in areas of across the state, with grazing and moderate rainfall in cropping on soils like this from eastern and central NSW the central west Dermosol- a soil with good structure 15km from Maitland The black soils, with their rich native pastures, were grazed extensively in the 19th century On level to undulating plains and valley floors in central and northern NSW Ferrosol-iron rich soil 2km Sth of Gerringong After harvesting their valuable rainforest timber, many areas with red volcanic soils like this were cleared for dairy farming Developed mainly on volcanic rocks in high rainfall areas of eastern NSW Soils That Support Us Vertosol-a clay soil that shrinks on drying and swells when wet In the Coleambally district of the Riverina Cracking clay soils were once difficult to farm but are now used for intensive production of rice and cotton Common on level plains in central and western NSW, and on some valley floors elsewhere in the state Kurosol- an acidic soil with an abrupt increase in clay 5km East from North Richmond Previously used only for grazing, soils with a dense acidic clay subsoil like this profile now support vegetable growing and vineyards In eastern NSW kurosols occur on strongly weathered fine grained parent rocks
Ancient Land - Fragile Soils A soil from western NSW where Aborigines used fire to enhance their food supply, by stimulating grasses and suppressing woody weeds Site and Land Use : An inter-dune swale in undulating terrain, 15km north of Balranald; in a patch of mallee woodland beside a paddock cleared for grazing and cereal cropping. Main Features : The brown sandy loam topsoil is prone to wind erosion and low in nutrients. Lime is present as a fine powder. In the subsoil are white lime nodules, their content increasing with depth to over 50%. Roots are confined to the upper profile and water retention is low. The subsoil becomes increasingly saline, sodic and alkaline. 0 - brown (5YR 4/4 moist) sandy loam with lime nodules - well structured (III polyhedral), earthy fabric; scattered roots, with plant debris on surface, vigorous effervescence with dilute acid; ph 8.6 (1:5 water) 10 26 - brown (5YR 3/4 moist) sandy loam (slightly subplastic) - well structured (III polyhedral), earthy fabric; a few roots, a few lime nodules - vigorous effervescence, below 25 are small lime nodules - soft lime in veins andvigorous effervescence; ph 8.8 (1:5 water) - brown (5YR 4/6 moist) sandy loam (subplastic) - well structured (III polyhedral), earthy fabric - a few roots and root or worm channels, scattered small lime nodules - vigorous effervescence, lime increases with depth; ph 8.8 (1:5 water) 41 - brown (5YR 4/6 moist) sandy loam (subplastic) - moderate polyhedral structure, earthy fabric - abundant lime 2-20mm, vigorous effervescence - ph 8.7 (1:5 water) 63 - brown (5YR 4/6 moist) sandy loam (subplastic) - moderate polyhedral structure, earthy, fabric - lime now 20-30% of soil as nodules and coatings, vigorous effervescence - lime increases with depth; ph 9.6 (1:5 water) 90 - pale yellowish brown (7.5YR 7/2), loamy clay to medium clay (subplastic) - mostly earthy fabric, lime makes up 50% of soil as fine powder - nodules 2-20mm - vigorous effervescence, a few weakly developed clay skins; ph 9.9 (1:5 water) Classification: Calcarosol - a soil containing calcium carbonate (lime). Distribution: In the low rainfall and semi-arid regions of NSW.
Ancient Land - Fragile Soils A soil from western NSW where Aborigines camped beside ancient freshwater lakes Site and Land Use : On the sandy crest of a low dune (lunette) around a dry lake, 70km south east of Pooncarie; salt tolerant native shrubs and grasses grazed by sheep. Main Features : This profile appears to have 2 layers - an upper sandy layer over a loamy, more lime-rich lower layer. The surface soil is very low in nutrients and organic matter. Overgrazing by sheep and rabbits leaves it prone to wind erosion. The lower layer is saline and becomes paler in colour as its lime content increases. 0-13 18 - light yellowish brown (5YR 6/6 moist) loamy fine sand, structureless white flecks of lime throughout, scattered plant roots and plant debris, ph 9.0 (1:5 water) - light yellowish brown (5YR 4/6 moist) medium sand, - structureless white grains of lime throughout, ph (1:5 water) 27 38 - yellowish brown (5YR 4/4 moist) loamy coarse sand - structureless odd white grains of lime throughout - occasional plant root, - yellowish brown (5YR 4/4 moist) sandy loam, structureless - a few white grains of lime throughout 50 - yellowish brown (5YR 4/4 moist) sandy loam (subplastic to loam) - structureless white (creamy) veins of lime - porous and earthy 69 - pale yellowish brown (7.5YR 5/4 moist) sandy loam (subplastic to sandy clay loam) - structureless, white streaks through mass (lime) - porous and earthy 75 - large root channel 90 - pale grey brown (10YR 6/3 moist) sandy loam (subplastic to clay loam) - structureless, porous and earthy - weakly cemented (travertine?) Classification: Calcarosol - a soil containing calcium carbonate (lime). Distribution: In the low rainfall and semi-arid regions of NSW.
Soils That Saved Us Crops were poor around the early settlement at Sydney Cove on acidic, low-nutrient, sandy soils like this Site and Land Use : On a level ridge crest with banksias and prickly shrubs located on the elevated sandstone plateau of the Somersby district, 60km north of Sydney, with orchards and market gardens nearby. Main Features : A sandy well-drained profile with a gravelly subsoil, a low nutrient content and poor water retention. It is strongly acidic throughout with high aluminium levels toxic to many introduced plants. 0 - grey brown ( 10YR 4/2 ) sand structureless, porous many plant roots(native vegetation) - highly acidic and very low in nutrients; ph 4.2 (1:5 CaCl 2 ); ECEC (2.2 ol(+)/kg) - aluminium saturation 65%, exchangeable potassium 0.07 ol(+)/kg - Bray P 2 mg/kg, Colwell P 1 mg/kg 15 30-35 - grey brown and yellowish brown sand a few plant roots - highly acidic and extremely low in nutrients; ph 4.4 (1:5 CaCl 2 ); ECEC (1.2 ol(+)/kg) - aluminium saturation 79% - exchangeable potassium 0.02 ol(+)/kg - Bray P 2 mg/kg, Colwell P 1 mg/kg - yellowish brown ( 10YR 6/4 ) loamy sand structureless, porous - well drained a few plant roots, highly acidic and extremely low in nutrients - ph 4.4 (1:5 CaCl 2 ); ECEC 0.8 ol(+)/kg; - aluminium saturation 84% - exchangeable potassium 0.01 ol(+)/kg - Bray P <2 mg/kg, Colwell P 1 mg/kg 50-60 - yellow brown, sandy loam with gravel (iron indurated), structureless, no roots, - highly acidic and extremely low in nutrients - ph 4.7 (1:5 CaCl 2 ); ECEC 0.9 ol(+)/kg - aluminium saturation 19% - exchangeable potassium 0.04 ol(+)/kg - Bray P <2 mg/kg, Colwell P 1 mg/kg 85 - yellow brown, sandy loam with heavy gravel (iron indurated), - structureless, imperfectly drained - no roots, highly acidic and extremely low in nutrients - ph 4.6 (1:5 CaCl 2 ); ECEC 1.0 ol(+)/kg - aluminium saturation 31%, exchangeable potassium 0.04 ol(+)/kg - Bray P <2 mg/kg, Colwell P 1 mg/kg Classification: Kandosol - structureless soil. Distribution: In eastern NSW kandosols are common on deeply weathered and sandy parent rocks.
Soils That Saved Us The good crops grown on this young loamy alluvial soil from the Hawkesbury River flats helped avert starvation in the 1790 s Site and Land Use : On the level floodplain of the Hawkesbury River, 3km northwest of Windsor; flooded once every 3-5 years; cleared for cropping in the 1790 s, and farmed for over 200 years; currently used for irrigated horticulture. Main Features : A uniform grey brown loam, with occasional sandy bands and faint traces of mottling in the subsoil. Originally higher in organic matter, the surface can set hard if cultivated when wet, leading to ponding after heavy rain; otherwise porous and well-drained. 0 - grey brown loam from culivated land - moderately acidic (ph Ca 5.0) 10 - pieces of black plastic mulch, used for weed control, have been chopped up and incorporated with a rotary hoe - moderately acidic (ph Ca 5.1) 27 - a band of structureless fine sand - deposited from a past flood - the structureless grey brown loamy profile is mostly devoid of roots, with the exception of a fine root at 34 45-50 - strongly acidic (ph Ca 4.4) 64 68 - a lump of charcoal - tiny pieces of mica occasionally occur below 60 - moderately acidic (ph Ca 4.9) 78 - grey brown loam with faint traces of fired earth - red brown in colour, are the result of past fires Classification: Tenosol - weakly developed soil. Distribution: Widespread but scattered throughout NSW, on floodplains and in rocky terrain.
Soils That Developed Us During the 19th century agriculture expanded rapidly across the state, with grazing and cropping on soils like this from the central west Site and Land Use : In a small patch of open woodland beside a wheat crop; in gently undulating terrain 15km northwest of West Wyalong. Main Features : A thin loamy topsoil rests on a well structured clay subsoil containing pieces of lime and angular gravel. As the organic matter content falls with repeated cultivation, the topsoil can become hardsetting and may develop a surface seal or crust. This reduces water intake and increases the risk of sheet and rill erosion. 0 10 - dark greyish brown (5YR 3/3) sandy clay loam with slight quartz gravel - moderately structured (II MABL, 1-1.5) - abundant plant roots, some organic debris on surface, some charcoal, odd pieces of burnt soil, odd tree root, fauna burrows ph 6.4 (1:5 water) - dark greyish brown (5YR 3/3) loamy clay with hard clay balls - well structured (III MABL, 1-1.5) trace gravel - some plant debris, odd tree root - mud balls become larger and more common with depth, - odd calcareous concretion by 29, slight effervescence in fine earth by 30, vigorous by 35, ph 7.3 (1:5 water) at 10-20 30 - reddish brown (2.5YR 3/6) medium clay - moderate structure (SABL, 2-5mm) - slight effervescence in fine earth, few calcareous concretions increasing to vigorous by 35 - burnt twig at 36 55 - red brown (2.5YR 4/6) medium clay - moderate structure (SABL, 5mm) slight clay skins - light calcareous concretions - mild effervescence in fine earth - odd plant root - a few pieces of gravel below 60, odd manganese concretion below 73 - well developed clay skins common by 80, a few carbonised odd roots at 75 Classification: Chromosol - soil with an abrupt increase in clay. Distribution: Common in areas of moderate rainfall in eastern and central NSW.
Soils That Developed Us The black soils, with their rich native pastures, were grazed extensively in the 19th century Site and Land Use : On a level to undulating river terrace 15km from Maitland, inundated by large floods and sown to lucerne. Main Features : A soil with good structure and evidence of earthworm activity. The profile is friable and crumbly to a depth of 90. The topsoil is an acidic clay loam resting on a light clay subsoil that becomes less acidic with depth and contains many plant roots. 0 - dark grey-brown clay loam. Hard setting surface soil. - friable and crumbly topsoil - plant roots abundant - drainage good. Note earthworm casts at 17. ph 4.4 20 - very dark grey-brown sticky light clay - plant roots and earthworms common - soil friable and crumbly - well drained. Angular blocky structure. - note earthworms channel at 35. ph 5.4 70 - IIA horizon. Colour and texture as above but not sticky. - fine crumb structure. Plant roots common. ph 5.8 90 - IIB horizon. Dark grey-brown light medium clay. - texture friable and crumbly as above. - plant roots common. Drainage good. ph 5.8. Classification: Dermosol - a soil with good structure. Distribution: On level to undulating plains and valley floors in central and northern NSW.
Soils That Developed Us After harvesting their valuable rainforest timber, many areas with red volcanic soils like this were cleared for dairy farming Site and Land Use : On a moderate upper slope covered with lush kikuyu pasture, 2km south of Gerringong; probably cleared in the 1850 s. Main Features : The dark loamy topsoil originally had a high nutrient content, prior to clearing. There is a gradual increase in clay content with depth. The profile is acidic, but well-drained, with good water retention. Frequent cultivation can lead to compaction and also erosion, especially on sloping sites. The red clay subsoil has small fragments of weathered rock. 0 - dark brown loam with dense kikuyu pasture - acidic (ph Ca 4.7) - prone to erosion when cultivated 10 - many fine roots - large earthworm channel - these are preserved under pasture - strongly acidic (ph Ca 4.3) 30 - gradual change to dark red brown clay - crumbly, well structured - well drained - weakly acidic (ph Ca 5.7) 50 - gradually becoming redder, the ion rich clay subsoil is well drained - good water retention - contains fine plant roots - moderately acidic (ph Ca 5.3) 75 - hard weathered rock fragment in well drained friable red clay - contains a few fine roots - strongly acid (ph Ca 4.7) Classification: Ferrosol - iron-rich soil. Distribution: Developed mainly on volcanic rocks in high rainfall areas of eastern NSW.
Soils That Support Us Cracking clay soils were once difficult to farm but are now used for intensive production of rice and cotton Site and Land Use : On a clay plain that once had an uneven surface (gilgai); now graded and levelled for rice growing, in the Coleambally district of the Riverina. Main Features : The crumbly topsoil has been disturbed by cultivation and levelling, burying the darker layer underneath (probably the original surface soil). The dense clay subsoil is strongly cracked, and contains small white concretions of lime. Some cracks are slightly curved, with smooth faces polished by rubbing due to the shrinking and swelling movement. 0 - brown (10YR 4/3 dry) light clay - crop residues on surface, slightly compacted by machinery - strong granular structure - loose when dry - ph 5.8 (1:5 water) at 0-10 - ph 7.2 at 10-20 22 - dark brown (10YR 3/3) medium clay - structureless with shrinkage cracks - some areas of fine spheroidal structure - ph 7.9 (1:5 water) 40 - dark brown (5YR 4/4) dense medium clay with some hard small (2mm) clay balls - weakly structured - a few small (3mm) lime conncretions, cracks when dry - ph 8.2 (1:5 water) 70 - dark brown (5YR 4/4) heavy clay - moderately structured - some slickensides, slight lime concretion 2-5mm, no effervescence in fine earth - ph 8.5 (1:5 water) Classification: Vertosol - a clay soil that shrinks on drying and swells when wet. Distribution: Common on level plains in central and western NSW, and on some valley floors elswhere in the state.
Soils That Support Us Previously used only for grazing, soils with a dense acidic clay subsoil like this profile now support vegetable growing and vineyards Site and Land Use : At the base of a gentle slope in rolling terrain, 5km from North Richmond; former grazing land but cultivated for vegetables in the last 15 years. Main Features : Below the heavily fertilised dark topsoil is a very pale grey brown loam. The yellow brown light clay beneath it is highly acidic. It gradually becomes a heavy clay at a depth of 50. The deep subsoil is poorly drained, weakly saline, sodic and strongly acidic. 0 - grey brown clay loam topsoil. - weakly structured 17 - below the zone of frequent cultivation the soil structure is better 28 - some worm casts containing darker topsoil 32 - a large earthworm hole on the righthand side 37 - yellow brown light clay subsoil 39 - an in filled earthworm channel 42 - a large horizontal root 50 - yellow brown heavy clay with occasional fine plants roots 58 - mottling to bottom of profile with more fine roots Classification: Kurosol - an acidic soil with an abrupt increase in clay. Distribution: In eastern NSW kurosols occur on strongly weathered fine-grained parent rocks.