findings by bioregion - Victorian Environmental Assessment Council

Distribution of site condition scoresArea (ha)• Public land18,000• Private land15,00012,0009,0006,0003,00000 20 40 60 80Site condition scoresPublic land median score – 32.5Private land median score – 29.0[Statewide median score – 36.8]Distribution of landscape context scoresArea (ha)• Public land40,000• Private land30,000BIOPHYSICAL BASISThe Victorian Riverina is characterised by fl at to gentlyundulating landscapes with evidence of former streamchannels and wide fl oodplain areas associated with majorriver systems and streams. Deposits from ancient fl oodplains have given rise to the fertile red brown earths andsoils which dominate the Riverine Plain. The vegetationis dominated by fi ve major vegetation types; Grasslands,Lower Slope Grassy Woodlands, Plains GrassyWoodlands and Forests, Riverine Grassy Woodlands andForests, and Wetlands.Average annual rainfall across the bioregion: 350-600 mmDaily mean temperature across the bioregion: 15-18˚CLAND USE HISTORYThe open grassland plains and grassy woodlands weresettled and developed early by Europeans. The fertilesoils and secure water supply made much of the areasuitable for extensive agriculture, which remains thedominant land-use. Later, large-scale irrigation schemesfor the production of fodder crops, cereals and fruits wereestablished along the Campaspe, Goulburn, Loddon andMurray valleys.20,00010,00000 5 10 15 20Landscape context scoresPublic land median score – 13.1Private land median score – 8.9[Statewide median score – 14.9]71