findings by bioregion - Victorian Environmental Assessment Council

Distribution of site condition scoresArea (ha)• Public land10,000• Private land7,5005,0002,50000 20 40 60 80Site condition scoresPublic land median score – 43.0Private land median score – 30.4[Statewide median score – 36.8]Distribution of landscape context scoresArea (ha) • Public land50,000• Private land40,00030,00020,00010,00000 5 10 15 20Landscape context scoresPublic land median score – 15.9Private land median score – 14.1[Statewide median score – 14.9]BIOPHYSICAL BASISThis bioregion has clear affi nities with the Victoria’sGoldfi elds bioregion but at the national level it forms partof the (New South Wales) South West Slopes bioregionthat extends along the inland slopes of the Great DividingRange well into central New South Wales. Many distinctivecharacteristics – such as mugga ironbark and white boxpredominating on low hills, rather than the red ironbarkand grey box of the Goldfi elds – are refl ected in thisalignment with similar environments to the north. TheNorthern Inland Slopes consists of small ranges andfoothill slopes separated by river valleys that drain from theHigh Country to the Murray River. The ranges and slopesare a mix of complex geology of granitic and metamorphicorigin protruding through the riverine plain. The vegetationis dominated by dry forests and grassy understoreys.The less fertile hills support Box-Ironbark, Heathy andShrubby Dry Forests. The fertile plains and valleys supportriverine and grassy forests. The major rivers drainingfrom the highlands include the Broken, King, Ovens andKiewa Rivers.Average annual rainfall across the bioregion: 400-1000 mmDaily mean temperature across the bioregion: 12-18˚CLAND USE HISTORYPastoralists were the fi rst European settlers in the district.As with other bioregions in north central Victoria, someareas were mined during the goldrush of the 1850s.Following the exhaustion of goldmining, agriculturebecame the major human activity in the bioregion. Thefertile valleys have been utilised extensively for dairying andcereal cropping. On the less fertile hills sheep and cattlegrazing are the major agricultural activities. Until morerecent times, timber harvesting – mostly for fi rewood,rail sleepers and fence posts was also a signifi cantland-use activity.87