Soil

Victoria has a wide variety of soil types that reflect differences in soil forming processes dicated by factors such as geology, landform, stream activity, vegetation, climate and age (i.e. degree of weathering). Soil underpins the productive potential of Victorian agriculture and forestry and the majority of soils are generally highly productive under good management practices.

Victorian Resources Online presents a wide range of soil information which will be continually expanded throughout the course of the project. A number of broadscale soil maps of Victoria are presented. More detailed soil maps and information will be progressively developed.

Soil & Land Survey Directory
Contains details of over 100 major soil and land surveys conducted in Victoria. Also, provides information on the history of soil survey in Victoria.

Surface Soil pH
Describes and maps the significance and management of soil pH in Victoria.

Soil Management
By understanding the behaviour of soils we can maximise their use in a sustainable way.

Soil structural degradation, nutrient decline, acidification and erosion can occur for many soils which are poorly managed.

Soil Health
Soil Health refers to the 'fitness' (or condition) of soil to support specific uses (e.g. crop growth).

Coastal Acid Sulfate Soils

Victorian State Soil
A State Soil of Victoria was selected by the Victorian Branch of the Australian Society of Soil Science Inc (ASSSI) during 2005. This section provides details of this process and information about a range of contenders for State Soil.

Soils Glossary

Related Reports

Trace Elements for Pastures and Animals in Victoria

Related Links

DPI Agnote: What is Soil?

Australian Agriculture Assessment 2001 - information about Australian agriculture; agriculture profile; changing face of agriculture; landscape balances; nutrient management; soil acidification; soil erosion and nutrient loads. This information is part of the Australian Natural Resources Atlas website (external link).

Australian Soil Resource Information System (external link)

An overview of Australian soils on the Australian Natural Resources Atlas website (external link)

Monitoring soil change in Australia - information on the Australian Natural Resources Atlas website (external link)

Soil acidification in Australia - information on the Australian Natural Resources Atlas website (external link)

Land Theme Report prepared for State of the Environment (SOE) 2001 reporting - on the Department of the Environment and Heritage website (external link). Includes information on: soil erosion, soil and land pollution, and secondary salinity and acidity in Australia.

The Australian Collaborative Land Evaluation Program (ACLEP) website (external link) provides information about soil and land survey collaboration in Australia - including an online version of the Australian Soil Classification.

The Soil Knowledge Exchange website (external link) is the web component of the Soil Knowledge Brokering Service being supported by the Victorian Catchment Management Council. The Soil Knowledge Exchange provides an aggregation of knowledge resources and links related to soils, as well as being a portal linking the soils community. Its function is to support and complement rather than substitute for other soils web resources.

VRO Regional soils information

Future Developments

New statewide soil map
More detailed regional soil information