Soil and Land Suitability Assessment for Irrigated Agriculture in the Northern Barkly region, Northern Territory.

Index:

Metadata
Citation
Description

Dataset Status
Data Quality
Contact Information
Data Dictionary
Supplementary Information

Metadata Details:

Name:AS/NZS ISO 19115 Geographic Information - Metadata, ANZLIC Metadata Profile

Version:1.0

Date Metadata Extracted:2025-01-31

Date Metadata Last Updated:2022-11-07

Current URL (HTML format) : http://www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/metadata/export_data?type=html&metadata_id=5CCCD7C8F6F7B991E050CD9B21441198

Current URL (XML format) : http://www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/metadata/export_data?type=xml&metadata_id=5CCCD7C8F6F7B991E050CD9B21441198

Citation

ANZLIC Identifier:5CCCD7C8F6F7B991E050CD9B21441198

Title:Soil and Land Suitability Assessment for Irrigated Agriculture in the Northern Barkly region, Northern Territory.

Citation Date:2017-10-31

Date Type:creation

Custodian:Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security

Description

Abstract:

This spatial dataset provides polygon information delineating land unit boundaries at a scale of 1: 25 000 and 1:50,000 within the northern Barkly tablelands, Northern Territory and describes dominant landform, soils and vegetation. The study area covers an area of 600 km2 located east of Elliott township along the Barkly Stock Route and Tableland Highway over parts of the stations; Eva Downs, Anthony Lagoon, Cresswell Downs and Brunette Downs.

The primary purpose of the investigation is to map, describe and evaluate soil landscapes to inform future irrigation development in an area with identified potential for groundwater extraction. Core landform, soil and vegetation attributes attached to the land units are included with the spatial dataset.

CAUTION: Map unit boundaries were derived using satellite imagery in association with a digital elevation model, geological and topographic data. Landform, soil and vegetation field assessments conform to national standards and support mapping at a scale of 1:25 000 and 1:50,000. When assessing specific areas within the mapping it is recommended a site inspection is undertaken to establish unmapped variation and confirm mapping accuracy on the ground. The mapping does not indicate, imply or ascertain the likelihood of groundwater availability or the granting of appropriate water extraction licensing needed to satisfy the irrigation requirements of the potential agricultural development options needed.

ANZLIC Search Words:

biota

environment

geoscientificInformation

Spatial Domain:

Bounding Coordinates:

North Bounding Coordinate:-17.846910000002

South Bounding Coordinate:-18.6944302579999

East Bounding Coordinate:136.257507699

West Bounding Coordinate:134.578410982

Dataset Status

Dataset ID:

Language:English

Character Set: Latin 1

Progress:underDevelopment

Maintenance and Update Frequency:notPlanned

Data Currency Start Date:2022-01-01

Data Currency End Date:2022-01-01

Access Constraint:Download the spatial data package (contains spatial data, maps and reports) via data.nt.gov.au/

You are licensed to use the geospatial products on the terms and conditions set out in: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License (CC BY 4.0) at: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode
If you do not agree to the terms and conditions you must not use the geospatial products.
You are free to copy, communicate and adapt the licensed material, provided that you abide by the licence terms (including Attribution) and attribute the licensed material using the statement:

Supplied by the Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security. Copyright Northern Territory Government.

Data Quality

Lineage:Map unit boundaries delineated from digital satellite imagery (WorldView-2) and digital elevation model (SRTM-derived 1 second Smoothed DEM). Preliminary linework was captured on field map sheets. Field map sheets incorporated digital satellite imagery and DEM layers. Field map sheets with final linework were scanned and rectified. Linework digitised on screen directly from field map sheets.
Map unit boundaries derived using digital satellite imagery, DEM, geological and topographic data. Field data (site information) described and classified according to national standards at the time of capture.
Map unit polygons collected via geographic information system (ArcGIS). Core landform, soil and vegetation attributes attached to map units with additional attributes unique to this survey.

Positional Accuracy:POLYGON DATA - Map unit boundaries digitised on screen directly from digital rectified field maps. Level of accuracy depends on the number of control points on individual map sheets. Control points exclusively used were Map Grid of Australia (MGA) grid lines. Depending on the nature of the landscape (the number of control points), positional accuracy may vary. Positional accuracy generally considered high to very high.
POINT DATA - Site point coordinates derived from a geographic positioning system with general accuracy of within 10 - 50 m.

Attribute Accuracy:Attributes assigned according to the dominant feature. For example, where ten sites have been grouped to describe a particular map unit and two different soils described from these sites then the dominant soil is chosen.
Attribute values, as described in the Data Dictionary below, have been added to each polygon.

Each land unit has also been assessed for GENERAL LAND CAPABILITY, evaluating landscape characteristics that could influence the general use of the land. A General Land Capability Class of 1 Land with negligible constraints to Class 4 Land with Extreme Constraints has been assigned to each land unit. Descriptions for key characteristics considered important have been added to the land unit polygon, including flooding, gilgai microrelief, salinity, slope, sodicity, soil depth, soil drainage and surface rock.

Each land unit has been attributed with a suitability class to describe the POTENTIAL FOR IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE from Class 1 suitable land with negligible limitations to Class 5 unsuitable land with extreme limitations. Twelve crop groups have been assessed for potential agricultural land use within 2 categories, IRRIGATED CROPS (Grain, Small Seeded, Pulse, Fibre, Industrial, Forage/Silage, Legume hay, Grass hay, Forestry) and RAIN-FED CROPS (Grass hay).

For detailed information about General Land Capability and Land Suitability Classes, review Chapter 9 Land Evaluation and Appendix 5 General land capability framework in the accompanying report. (See Supplementary Information in this metadata record for report PDF download details)

Logical Consistency:GIS editing tools were used to rectify all overshoots and undershoots in line work. Polygon topology rules applied are; must not overlap, must not have gaps and each polygon has only one label.

Completeness:Complete

Contacts

Name Organisation Position Role Phone Fax Email

Data Requests Officer Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security Geospatial Services Branch (on behalf of department) distributor datarequests.depws@nt.gov.au

Name	Organisation	Position	Role	Phone	Fax	Email
Data Requests Officer	Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security	Geospatial Services Branch (on behalf of department)	distributor			datarequests.depws@nt.gov.au

Data Dictionary

Attribute Attribute Description Possible Code Code Description

01. SURVEY_NME Alias: Survey Name
The name of the survey area or report to which the mapping refers

02. SURVEY_ID Alias: Survey Identifier
A department code that usually refers to the first five characters from the original survey site sheet.

03. LANDUNIT Alias: Land Unit
The LAND_UNIT field is the land unit label from the spatial dataset (ie 9a2).

04. LF_CLASS Alias: Landform Class
Landform class is a system adopted by the department. The categories do not conform to national criteria even though some have been sourced from Australian Soil and Land Survey - Field Handbook (Mc Donald et.al. 1998).

05. SOIL_SYS Alias: Soil Classification System
The soil classification system used to describe the soil in the land unit description

06. SOIL Alias: Dominant Soil Order
The dominant soil order described in a land unit is recorded.

07. VEG_SYS Alias: Veg Classification System
The National Vegetation Information System (NVIS) classification system.

08. VEG_STRUC Alias: Dominant Veg Structure
Vegetation structural classes from NVIS (ESCAVI 2003), Walker and Hopkins (1998) and Specht (1970) classification schemes.

09. SPECIES_1 Alias: Veg Dom Species 1
The dominant vegetation species described in a land unit. The order of species listed determines their dominance.

10. SPECIES_2 Alias: Veg Dom Species 2
Where 2 dominant vegetation species were described in a land unit. The order of species listed determines their dominance.

11. SPECIES_3 Alias: Veg Dom Species 3
Where 3 dominant vegetation species described in a land unit. The order of species listed determines their dominance.

12. LF_DESC Alias: Landform Description
Landform description includes details about landform, and general notes pertaining to slope, surface gravel and other details describing the land unit.

13. SOIL_DESC Alias: Soil Description
Soil description includes an ASC or Northcote/other soil classification and usually includes colour, soil depth and other notes describing the soil.

14. VEG_DESC Alias: Vegetation Description
The dominant species and its structure are recorded. Occasionally it will include `minor' vegetation communities also noted in the land unit description and/or notes specific to the community.

15. Land Assessment Criteria Land Capability Assessment Criteria include;
Gilgai Microrelief, Flooding, Salinity, Slope, Sodicity, Soil Depth, Soil Drainage, Surface Rock, Wind Erosion.
Each criteria is rated from Class 1 to 4 (good to bad) and is used to derive the overall General Land Capability Class.

16. LCAP_CLASS Alias: Land Capability Class
The General Land Capability Class is derived from the Land Assessment Criteria classes.

Descriptions for each class is noted in attributes LCAP_DESC1 and LCAP_DESC2. 1 Land with negligible constraints that require only a basic level of inputs, expertise and investment to develop and manage the land sustainably.

2 Land with minor or moderate constraints that require a greater level of inputs, expertise and investment than Class 1 to develop and manage the land sustainably.

3 Land with severe constraints that require a high level of inputs, expertise and investment to develop and manage the land sustainably.

4 Land with extreme constraints that generally require an unacceptable level of inputs, expertise and investment to develop and manage the land sustainably; making it either impractical, uneconomic or environmentally unsound to proceed. Where development must proceed the effects must be mitigated.

17. ASCG_G1 (to G12) Alias: Agricultural Land Suitability Class for Potential Irrigated Crops and classified as Group1 to Group 12.

Twelve crop groups have been assessed for potential agricultural land use within 2 categories, IRRIGATED CROPS (Grain, Small Seeded, Pulse, Fibre, Industrial, Forage/Silage, Legume hay, Grass hay, Forestry) and RAIN-FED CROPS (Grass hay).

Each land unit has been attributed with a land suitability class between 1 and 5. 1 Class Definition: Suitable land with negligible limitations. Description: Highly productive land requiring only simple management practices to maintain sustainable production.

2 Class Definition: Suitable land with minor limitations. Description: Land with minor limitations that either constrain production or require more than the simple management practices of Class 1 land to maintain sustainable production.

3 Class Definition: Suitable land with moderate limitations. Description: Land with moderate limitations that further constrain production or require more than the management practices of Class 2 land to maintain sustainable production.

4 Class Definition: Unsuitable land with severe limitations. Description: Land with severe limitations that preclude successful or sustained use under current conditions. Future changes in knowledge, economics or technology may alter this.

5 Class Definition: Unsuitable land with extreme limitations. Description: Land with extreme limitations that preclude any possibility of successful or sustained use, either now or in the future.

Attribute	Attribute Description	Possible Code	Code Description
01. SURVEY_NME	Alias: Survey Name The name of the survey area or report to which the mapping refers
02. SURVEY_ID	Alias: Survey Identifier A department code that usually refers to the first five characters from the original survey site sheet.
03. LANDUNIT	Alias: Land Unit The LAND_UNIT field is the land unit label from the spatial dataset (ie 9a2).
04. LF_CLASS	Alias: Landform Class Landform class is a system adopted by the department. The categories do not conform to national criteria even though some have been sourced from Australian Soil and Land Survey - Field Handbook (Mc Donald et.al. 1998).
05. SOIL_SYS	Alias: Soil Classification System The soil classification system used to describe the soil in the land unit description
06. SOIL	Alias: Dominant Soil Order The dominant soil order described in a land unit is recorded.
07. VEG_SYS	Alias: Veg Classification System The National Vegetation Information System (NVIS) classification system.
08. VEG_STRUC	Alias: Dominant Veg Structure Vegetation structural classes from NVIS (ESCAVI 2003), Walker and Hopkins (1998) and Specht (1970) classification schemes.
09. SPECIES_1	Alias: Veg Dom Species 1 The dominant vegetation species described in a land unit. The order of species listed determines their dominance.
10. SPECIES_2	Alias: Veg Dom Species 2 Where 2 dominant vegetation species were described in a land unit. The order of species listed determines their dominance.
11. SPECIES_3	Alias: Veg Dom Species 3 Where 3 dominant vegetation species described in a land unit. The order of species listed determines their dominance.
12. LF_DESC	Alias: Landform Description Landform description includes details about landform, and general notes pertaining to slope, surface gravel and other details describing the land unit.
13. SOIL_DESC	Alias: Soil Description Soil description includes an ASC or Northcote/other soil classification and usually includes colour, soil depth and other notes describing the soil.

14. VEG_DESC	Alias: Vegetation Description The dominant species and its structure are recorded. Occasionally it will include `minor' vegetation communities also noted in the land unit description and/or notes specific to the community.
15. Land Assessment Criteria	Land Capability Assessment Criteria include; Gilgai Microrelief, Flooding, Salinity, Slope, Sodicity, Soil Depth, Soil Drainage, Surface Rock, Wind Erosion. Each criteria is rated from Class 1 to 4 (good to bad) and is used to derive the overall General Land Capability Class.
16. LCAP_CLASS	Alias: Land Capability Class The General Land Capability Class is derived from the Land Assessment Criteria classes. Descriptions for each class is noted in attributes LCAP_DESC1 and LCAP_DESC2.	1	Land with negligible constraints that require only a basic level of inputs, expertise and investment to develop and manage the land sustainably.
		2	Land with minor or moderate constraints that require a greater level of inputs, expertise and investment than Class 1 to develop and manage the land sustainably.
		3	Land with severe constraints that require a high level of inputs, expertise and investment to develop and manage the land sustainably.
		4	Land with extreme constraints that generally require an unacceptable level of inputs, expertise and investment to develop and manage the land sustainably; making it either impractical, uneconomic or environmentally unsound to proceed. Where development must proceed the effects must be mitigated.
17. ASCG_G1 (to G12)	Alias: Agricultural Land Suitability Class for Potential Irrigated Crops and classified as Group1 to Group 12. Twelve crop groups have been assessed for potential agricultural land use within 2 categories, IRRIGATED CROPS (Grain, Small Seeded, Pulse, Fibre, Industrial, Forage/Silage, Legume hay, Grass hay, Forestry) and RAIN-FED CROPS (Grass hay). Each land unit has been attributed with a land suitability class between 1 and 5.	1	Class Definition: Suitable land with negligible limitations. Description: Highly productive land requiring only simple management practices to maintain sustainable production.
		2	Class Definition: Suitable land with minor limitations. Description: Land with minor limitations that either constrain production or require more than the simple management practices of Class 1 land to maintain sustainable production.
		3	Class Definition: Suitable land with moderate limitations. Description: Land with moderate limitations that further constrain production or require more than the management practices of Class 2 land to maintain sustainable production.
		4	Class Definition: Unsuitable land with severe limitations. Description: Land with severe limitations that preclude successful or sustained use under current conditions. Future changes in knowledge, economics or technology may alter this.
		5	Class Definition: Unsuitable land with extreme limitations. Description: Land with extreme limitations that preclude any possibility of successful or sustained use, either now or in the future.

Supplementary Information

IN PROGRESS
The report references 2 spatial datasets, described by this department using survey reference codes: BARKN_25 and BARKN_50.
- BARKN_25 mapping on 4 separate survey sections were undertaken at scale 1:25,000 over parts of Eva Downs, Anthony Lagoon and Brunette Downs.
- BARKN_50 mapping undertaken at scale 1:50,000 over part of Cresswell Downs.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCE
-------------------------------------------
Burgess, J., McGrath, N., Andrews, K., Wright, A., Firby, L. and Carnavas, M. (2022).
Agricultural Land Suitability Series, Report 12.
Soil and Land Suitability Assessment for Irrigated Agriculture, Northern Barkly Region, Northern Territory.
Technical Report 1/2022. Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, NT.

Download the report (PDF) via the Northern Territory Library; XXX
Download map products created for this survey; XXX

RELATED INFORMATION
------------------------------------
NT Development Opportunities (Mapping the Future projects)
Website depws.nt.gov.au/DevelopmentOpportunities

This record maintained using the NTLIS Metadata Tool

Metadata : Soil and Land Suitability Assessment for Irrigated Agriculture in the Northern Barkly region, Northern Territory.