findings by bioregion - Victorian Environmental Assessment Council

Distribution of site condition scoresArea (ha)• Public land200• Private land1501005000 20 40 60 80Site condition scoresPublic land median score – 50.6Private land median score – 50.2[Statewide median score – 36.8]Distribution of landscape context scoresArea (ha)• Public land800• Private land600400BIOPHYSICAL BASISThe Highlands – Far East bioregion covers a broadescarpment around Errinundra where the MonaroPlateau extends into Victoria and then falls sharply to thesouth-east. The bioregion consists of dissected uplandswith moderate to steep slopes and scarps, high andintermediate level plateaux, gorges and alluvial fl ats alongthe main valleys. The geology is predominantly Palaeozoicsediments and volcanics. The brown and red porousearths occur in the upper reaches and yellow, brown andred texture contrast soils graduate down the valleys and inlower rainfall areas.The vegetation is dominated by Wet Forest on the upperslopes in the high rainfall areas with Cool TemperateRainforest in the protected gullies. Montane Wet Forestoccurs on the most sheltered wet sites at higher montaneelevations and Damp Forest replaces Wet Forest at lowerelevations.Average annual rainfall across the bioregion: 700-1600 mmDaily mean temperature across the bioregion: 6-12˚CLAND USE HISTORYPrior to the 1980s timber harvesting in the bioregion was alimited industry but has since increased signifi cantly.20000 5 10 15 20Landscape context scoresPublic land median score – 16.4Private land median score – 16.3[Statewide median score – 14.9]117