Geology: Subhorizontal or gently dipping sandstone and shale of Upper Proterozoic age. Geomorphology: Formed by dissection of the Kimberley surface - plains; broad, gently sloping interfluves and lower plains; sparse branching pattern of ill-defined drainage floors; relief less than 3 m. The system supports tussock grasses which are preferentially Land management: grazed by cattle; controlled stocking is essential to prevent degradation. Low susceptibility to erosion. Image of clay plains (unit 2) of Gladstone land system derived from shale and support curly bluegrass (Dichanthium fecundum). Photo: DAFWA Stylised block diagram showing location of land units for the Gladstone land system (numbers on diagram represent land units in table below) Table of Gladstone land system land units. * Numbers in brackets refer to soil – family or vegetation community/alliance in report on lands of the West ‘General Kimberley area, (Speck et al. 1970); + Pasture types described in Appendix 1; WA’ Note: Proportions and occurrence of pasture types within land units are subject to change over time due to invasion by native and introduced species, seasonal conditions, fire frequency and grazing management. Approx. Pasture Unit area Landforms Soils* Vegetation* type+ (%) Interfluves: up to Yellowish Open, grassy, 4.8km wide with loamy soils: snappy gum slopes up to 1%; Elliott family woodland with 1 55 sealed surfaces (6), commonly RGRP Chrysopogon spp. with pebble high in shale Eucalyptus brevifolia patches and local fragments with community (1e). outcrop. depth. Mitchell grass, Dark ribbon grass grassland, and very Plains: heavy clays open woodlands. MGAP hummocky with linear Astrebla spp. and 40% surfaces up to gilgai: spp. - BGAP Chrysopogon 2 39 4.8km across Wonardo Dichanthium 30% with slopes less family (14), fecundum RAPP than 0.5%. minor communities (47, 30% Cununurra 48); also Bauhinia family (12). cunninghamii community (37a).
Geology: Subhorizontal or gently dipping sandstone and shale of Upper Proterozoic age. Geomorphology: Formed by dissection of the Kimberley surface - plains; broad, gently sloping interfluves and lower plains; sparse branching pattern of ill-defined drainage floors; relief less than 3 m. Land management: The system supports tussock grasses which are preferentially grazed by cattle; controlled stocking is essential to prevent degradation. Low susceptibility to erosion. Image of clay plains (unit 2) of Gladstone land system derived from shale and support curly bluegrass (Dichanthium fecundum). Photo: DAFWA Stylised block diagram showing location of land units for the Gladstone land system (numbers on diagram represent land units in table below) Table of Gladstone land system – land units. * Numbers in brackets refer to soil family or vegetation community/alliance in ‘General report on lands of the West Kimberley area, WA’ (Speck et al. 1970); + Pasture types described in Appendix 1; Note: Proportions and occurrence of pasture types within land units are subject to change over time due to invasion by native and introduced species, seasonal conditions, fire frequency and grazing management. Unit Approx. area (%) Landforms Soils* Vegetation* Pasture type+ 1 55 Interfluves: up to 4.8km wide with slopes up to 1%; sealed surfaces with pebble patches and local outcrop. Yellowish loamy soils: Elliott family (6), commonly high in shale fragments with depth. Open, grassy, snappy gum woodland with Chrysopogon spp. Eucalyptus brevifolia community (1e). RGRP 2 39 Plains: hummocky surfaces up to 4.8km across with slopes less than 0.5%. Dark heavy clays with linear gilgai: Wonardo family (14), minor Cununurra family (12). Mitchell grass, ribbon grass grassland, and very open woodlands. Astrebla spp. and Chrysopogon spp. - Dichanthium fecundum communities (47, 48); also Bauhinia cunninghamii community (37a). MGAP 40% BGAP 30% RAPP 30%