Soil, sun and water are all the foundations of life on earth. The sustainability and productivity of our agricultural, horticultural, viticultural, forestry and pastoral industries depend on the soil resource of the South East. There is a remarkable range of soils in the South East. This diversity has helped to influence and shape the landscape in which we live. To find out how South East soils were formed, click here
The South East has many and varied soil types, in some places in the South East, soil types can vary in a single paddock. In other places the soil type can be the same or similar in a district.
In the South East our soils can roughly be divided into three sections:
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The elevated landscape of the region to the east of the Naracoorte range and extending to east of Tintinara characterized by soils overlying buried clays and sands.
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The coastal plains region west of the Naracoorte Range, which has a history of marine influence and comprises a complex of ancient calcarenite dunes and associated lagoon flats.
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The Mount Gambier region, influenced by consistently high rainfall, sedimentary limestone deposits and volcanic activity.
Just as important as knowing what your soil type is, is getting out and looking at it, and understanding what it is made up of. To find out more about how to do this the check out our Getting down and dirty with your soils section.
Would you like to know how soils and land management fit into the Regional NRM Plan – click here to find out more