Gentle Slopes

Tocal landscape transect, highlighting the gentle slopes

Representative paddocks

Line, Springer, Calving (upper slopes), Hedges, Clements (lower slopes)

Geology and soils

Sedimentary rocks and colluvium derived from upslope and volcanic activity. Shallower soils of variable depth to bedrock with sand and loam topsoil, clay subsoil and some gravel. Some soils prone to waterlogging and salinity associated with coal seams. View a soil profile from Hedges paddock.

Land capability - slope in degrees, hazards, rural land capability classes

Gentle to moderate slopes 2 - 15 degrees, classes IV - V (definition of land capability classes).

Vegetation - native vegetation communities and important species

Spotted Gum/ironbark tall open forest, including Cabbage Gum, Forest Red Gum, and Grey Box on lower slopes. Some small areas of listed threatened species Eucalyptus glaucina.

Native fauna and habitats - listed threatened and other important species, important habitat elements

Minimal native habitat apart from isolated paddock trees and fallen timber. Native species commonly seen are Grey Kangaroos.

Gentle Slopes in Springer paddock (in mid-ground)

Present and recent land use

Intensive grazing.

Important management issues

Key landscape for agricultural production and profitability. Consider biodiversity (including threatened species Eucalyptus glaucina), erosion control (especially from roads and tracks), salinity and groundwater (salinity indicators include Casuarina glauca), weeds (including African Olive and Lantana), bushfires, and visual landscape.

Management objectives - what we want to achieve

Maintain soil/ pasture productivity and condition through grazing rotation and fertiliser use. Maintain farm infrastructure (especially roads) and fence paddocks according to land capability. Retain habitat for native species in grazed areas (eg remnant paddock trees and native grassland).

Management actions - how we are going to achieve the objectives

Manage current timber resources for both timber and habitat. Consider managing native pasture through strategic burning and careful fertiliser use. Retain existing paddock trees (live and dead) and fence off selective areas to allow natural regeneration.

The gentle slopes of Springer paddock