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Plot description

URI: http://linked.data.gov.au/def/ausplots-cv/74615bb8-9cc5-4a63-868b-3258108ffcb4

Also known as A) Plot description

Date created: 2020-07-31
Date modified: 2021-01-14

Member of

• Soil and Landscapes

Purpose

not supplied

Scope

The plot description covers important aspects of the plot (generally of the land surface) not recorded in the preliminary description. Some overlap in collected information does occur due to the modular nature of the survey processes. The description provides significant background information to gain an appreciation of the plot history, topography, position in the landscape and for understanding the likely relationship between the soils, vegetation and fauna.

Parts of the process are essential and must be undertaken in the field, whereas other parts can be completed at a later stage from samples collected (see Appendix 3(a)).

See the dominant outcrop lithology parameter.

See the subdominant outcrop lithology parameter.

See the surface strew lithology parameter.

See the surface strew size parameter.

Definition

Plot Name

Described in Plot Naming Convention (Chapter 3 and Appendix 1).

Plot location

Plot location at SW corner:

The PDA will automatically record GPS coordinates.

If using data sheets, record the easting, northing, zone and datum from the DGPS.

Also record the method used to record the location i.e. standard GPS or DGPS (differential GPS) by circling the appropriate method.

Erosion

Erosion (YB p133-139) refers to accelerated/induced erosion rather than natural erosion.

If present, use the codes below to describe the

See the accelerated erosion type parameter.

See the erosion type values.

type of erosion:

• wind-W
• scald-C
• mass movement-M
• water

 

See the state of erosion parameter.

See the erosion state values.

state of erosion:

• active-A
• stabilised-S
• partly stablisied-P

See the erosion extent parameter.

See the erosion extent values.

extent of erosion:

• not apparent-X
• none-0
• minor/present-1
• moderate-2
• severe-3
• very severe-4

Microrelief

See the microrelief parameter.

See the microrelief values.

Microrelief (YB p129-133) refers to relief up to a few metres above the plane of the land surface.

Type should be indicated:

• Gilgai (YB p129)
  • crabhole gilgai-C
  • normal gilgai-N
  • linear gilgai-L
  • lattice gilgai-A
  • melonhole gilgai-M
  • contour gilgai-G
• Hummocky relief (YB p130)
  • debil-debil-D
  • swamp hummock-W
• Biotic relief (YB p131)
  • ant mound-J
  • termite mound-X
  • rabbit warrens-Y
  • pig disturbance-B
  • vegetation-V
• Other (YB p132)
  • mound/depression-U
  • karst microrelief-K
  • sinkhole-I
  • mass movement microrelief-S
  • terracettes-R
  • contour trench-T
  • spring mound-P
  • spring hollow-H
  • other-O
• No microrelief-Z (YB p129)

Proportion of gilgai components (p130)

• mound=depression, no shelf-A
• mound>depression, no shelf-B
• mound<depression, no shelf-C
• mound, shelf and depression, shelf a prominent part of gilgai-D

Component of microrelief sampled (YB p133)

• mound-M
• elongate mound-E
• depression-D
• elongate depression-L
• shelf-S
• flat-F
• hummock-K

Drainage

See drainage type parameter.

See the drainage values.

(YB p202-204) Provide a statement about soils and plot drainage likely to occur in most years.

• very poorly drained-1
• poorly drained-2
• imperfectly drained-3
• moderately well drained-4
• well drained-5
• rapidly drained-6

Disturbance of plot

See site disturbance type parameter.

See disturbance values.

(YB p128)

• 0-no effective disturbance, natural
• 1-no effective disturbance except grazed by hoofed animals
  • 1L-light grazing
  • 1M-medium grazing
  • 1H-heavy grazing
• 2-limited clearing (e.g. selective logging)
• 3-extensive clearing
• 4-complete clearing, pasture improved but not cultivated
• 5-complete clearing, pasture improved and cultivated at some stage
• 6-cultivation, rain-fed
• 7-cultivation, irrigated past or present
• 8-highly disturbed (e.g. quarry, mining, landfill, road works)

Soil surface condition when dry

See condition of surface soil when dry parameter.

See surface soil condition values.

(YB p189-191)

Many surface soils have a characteristic appearance when dry and this should be recorded.

• Cracking-G
• Self-mulching-M
• Loose-L
• Soft-S
• Firm-F
• Hard setting-H
• Surface crust-C
• Surface flake-X
• Cryptogam-Y
• Trampled-T
• Poached-P
• Recently cultivated-R
• Saline-Z
• Sandy veneer-V
• other-O

Equipment

a. Plot description

• GPS or DGPS
• Field data collection PDA/tablet with data collection app and camera for scanning barcodes
• Back-up data collection sheets, pens and pencils

Time required

not supplied

Instructions

Each of these characteristics is to be described for the plot. This can be done once the plot boundaries have been decided and marked out. The sequence for descriptions will be based on the data collection app, with fields to be filled out. The plot characteristics (see quoted YB page numbers) are based on the description contained in the third edition (2009) of the “Australian Soil and Land Survey Field Handbook” commonly referred to as the “Yellow Book” (see Appendix 3 for collection of additional non-essential soil description elements).

Additional notes

not supplied

Source

White, A, Sparrow, B., Leitch, E., Foulkes, J., Flitton, R., Lowe, A.J., Caddy-Retalic, S. (2012). AusPlots Rangelands Survey Protocols Manual. Version 1.2.9 page 46-48. Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network and The University of Adelaide Press. https://doi.org/10.25901/5f2ca309cc9c2

Parameter

• dominant outcrop lithology

• drainage type

• erosion extent

• state of erosion

• microrelief

• site disturbance type

• accelerated erosion type

• subdominant outcrop lithology

• surface strew lithology

• condition of soil surface when dry

• surface strew size

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TERN is supported by the Australian Government through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy, NCRIS.