findings by bioregion - Victorian Environmental Assessment Council

Distribution of site condition scoresArea (ha)• Public land30,000• Private land20,00010,00000 20 40 60 80Site condition scoresPublic land median score – 38.3Private land median score – 26.9[Statewide median score – 36.8]BIOPHYSICAL BASISThe Goldfi elds bioregion is characterised by a seriesof low hills and rolling plains, mainly sedimentary inorigin. Metamorphic and old volcanic rocks formrugged slopes and ridges. The forests and woodlandshave relatively poor soils and uncertain rainfall. GrassyWoodland and Grassy Forests dominate the bioregion.Box Ironbark Forest, Heathy Dry Forest and Grassy DryForest vegetation types occur on the lower slopes andpoor soils. Regionally important rivers that dissect thebioregion include the Wimmera, Avoca, Loddon andCampaspe Rivers.Average annual rainfall across the bioregion: 400-1000 mmDaily mean temperature across the bioregion: 15-21˚CLAND USE HISTORYDistribution of landscape context scoresArea (ha)140,000120,000100,00080,00060,00040,00020,0000• Public land• Private land0 5 10 15 20Landscape context scoresSince European settlement, much of the bioregion hasbeen cleared and greatly modifi ed by mining, timberextraction and agriculture. The bioregion was settled early;fi rst by pastoralists, but the discovery of alluvial gold in the1850s saw a wave of immigration and extensive areas ofthe region cleared for timber and mined. In more recenttimes, grazing and timber harvesting have decreasedenabling some regeneration. The native forests of theGoldfi elds comprise the core of Victoria’s large apicultureindustry. Some areas in close proximity to Melbourne andthe major economic centres have been sub-divided forresidential and lifestyle blocks.Public land median score – 15.9Private land median score – 14.8[Statewide median score – 14.9]89