preliminary soil salinity assessment - Mid Western Regional Council

2.5.3 VegetationThe subject land is generally cleared of timber with a number of large eucalypt (Eucalyptus spp.)trees and saplings retained in an area on top of the hill. Established eucalypt, pepper trees (Schinusareira) and another unknown tree species were also found scattered across the site. The trees werein a reasonably healthy condition given the site’s history with no obvious signs of stress or salinitydamage.Groundcover is moderate on the southern side of Saleyards Lane consisting of predominantly couchgrass (Cynodon dactylon), native rat’s tail grass (Sporobolus spp.), red grass (Bothriochloa macra),and broadleaf weeds. Most plants across this area are growing poorly however this is expected giventhe site history, lack of topsoil, and current grazing by cattle and kangaroos. On the area of landnorth of Saleyards Lane that has not been disturbed during recent use, kikuyu (Pennisetumclandestinum) is dense and vigorously growing up to 60cm high. Couch grass and kikuyu are knownto be tolerant of mildly saline soil. However, these species are also used as lawn species and arecommonly found on disturbed soils. Couch in particular is also known to be indicative of poor soilfertility.The main groundcover species identified in the field during the investigation at each of the sixsample sites are listed in Tables 3 to 8 below.Plate 7 shows typical vegetation and topography across the subject land (photo taken from thenorthern end of the property near the adjacent shed, looking south west).Plate 7: Typical Vegetation and TopographyPRELIMINARY SOIL SALINITY ASSESSMENT13