findings by bioregion - Victorian Environmental Assessment Council

Distribution of site condition scoresArea (ha)35,00030,00025,00020,00015,00010,0005,0000Public land median score – 48.2Private land median score – 37.8[Statewide median score – 36.8]Site condition scores• Public land• Private land0 20 40 60 80BIOPHYSICAL BASISHighlands – Northern Fall bioregion is the northerly aspectof the Great Dividing Range comprising dissected uplandswith moderate to steep slopes, high plateaus and alluvialfl ats along the main valleys. The geology is of Palaeozoicdeposits giving rise to predominantly sedimentary andgranitic rocks. The brown and red porous earths occurin the upper reaches and yellow and red texture contrastsoils graduate down the valleys.The vegetation is a patchwork of Herb-rich Foothill Forestand Shrubby Dry Forest. Major vegetation types of thelower slopes are Montane Dry Woodland. Heathy DryForest EVCs occur on the upper slopes and plateau.Grassy Dry Forest and Valley Grassy Forest occur alongthe river valleys.Average annual rainfall across the bioregion: 700-1400 mmDaily mean temperature across the bioregion: 9-12˚CDistribution of landscape context scoresArea (ha)140,000120,000100,00080,00060,00040,00020,00000 5 10 15 20Landscape context scores• Public land• Private landLAND USE HISTORYThe bioregion was settled initially by pastoralists for sheepgrazing. The improvement of pastures by the introductionof subterranean clover and super-phosphate has enabledcattle grazing to occur. The bioregion has supporteda number of land use activities including mining, dairyfarming and timber harvesting.Public land median score – 16.1Private land median score – 15.0[Statewide median score – 14.9]103