Soil and Land Suitability Assessment for Irrigated Agriculture in the Tennant Creek West Area

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:2024-04-19

Date Metadata Last Updated:2017-02-02

Current URL (HTML format) : http://www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/metadata/export_data?type=html&metadata_id=2552BF85E5063927E050CD9B21446AB6

Current URL (XML format) : http://www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/metadata/export_data?type=xml&metadata_id=2552BF85E5063927E050CD9B21446AB6

Citation

ANZLIC Identifier:2552BF85E5063927E050CD9B21446AB6

Title:Soil and Land Suitability Assessment for Irrigated Agriculture in the Tennant Creek West Area

Citation Date:2015-11-25

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: 50 000 and describes the dominant landform, soils and vegetation of the surrounds of the north eastern part of the Karlantijpa South Aboriginal Land Trust area (NT Por 3556), Northern Territory. The study area covers 578.55 km2 and is located approximately 50km west of the Tennant Creek township.

The primary purpose of the investigation was 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 1:50 000.
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

imageryBaseMapsEarthCover

Spatial Domain:

Bounding Coordinates:

North Bounding Coordinate:-19.60757965

South Bounding Coordinate:-19.792863118

East Bounding Coordinate:133.950111119

West Bounding Coordinate:133.6790027

Dataset Status

Dataset ID:

Language:English

Character Set: Latin 1

Progress:completed

Maintenance and Update Frequency:notPlanned

Data Currency Start Date:2015-07-01

Data Currency End Date:2017-01-31

Access Constraint:

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

You are licensed to use the DENR 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 and Natural Resources. 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/MapInfo). Core landform, soil and vegetation attributes attached to map units with additional attributes unique to individual surveys.

Positional Accuracy: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 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.

SURVEY MAPPING CONFIDENCE:
Mapping confidence to the east of Easting 378000m was supported by on-ground field work and verification according to the standards for 1:50,000 scale mapping which included soil excavation for description and sample analysis, along with vegetation description. To the west of Easting 378000m, mapping was supported by extrapolation of land units from knowledge gained in surrounding areas and very limited field visual observation of the landscape and vegetation. While mapped at 1:50,000 scale to provide continuity, there was no on-ground field work to obtain supporting site data, therefore confidence in the mapping in this western section is lower and should be used accordingly with care.

Attribute Accuracy:The attribute information conforms to the 'Australian Soil and Land Survey Field Handbook' at time of capture.
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. Core attribute values, as described in the Data Dictionary below, have been added to each polygon.

Land units with a Low level of survey mapping confidence (west) include x as a suffix for the label. (For example 7cx) Land units with a High level of survey mapping confidence (east) have the same description but the label does not include an x. (For example 7c)

Each land unit has been attributed with a suitability class to describe the potential for irrigated agriculture. (Class 1 suitable land with negligible limitations to Class 5 unsuitable land with extreme limitations) Seven crop groups have been assessed for potential agricultural suitability.
Group 1. Field crops - Chia, quinoa
Group 2. Hay/forage crops - Grass hay (rhodes grass, panics, sorghum, oats, barley), forage legumes (lucerne, peanut)
Group 3. Tree crops (evergreen) - Citrus (lime, lemon, mandarin, orange, grapefruit, tangelo), mango, avocado, longan, lychee
Group 4. Tree crops (deciduous) - Fig, pomegranate, low chill stone fruit, table grape
Group 5. Row crops (annual) - Cucurbits (watermelon, hami melon, honeydew melon, rockmelon, pumpkin, zucchini, squash), Salad vegetables (lettuce, baby spinach, rocket), Asian greens, Summer vegetables (solanaceae - capsicum, chilli, eggplant, tomato; sweet corn, beans, snow peas, brassica's)
Group 6. Row crops (perennial) - Asparagus
Group 7. Root crops - Garlic, onion, potato, sweet potato

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

AGSC_G1 (TO G7) Alias: Suitability Class for Irrigated Agriculture.
Assessed crops categorised into Group1 to Group 7. The crops are described in the metadata section, Attribute Accuracy. Each land unit has been attributed with a land suitability class between 1 and 5. (Suitable to unsuitable) 1 Suitable land with negligible limitations. This is highly productive land requiring only simple management practices to maintain sustainable production.

2 Suitable land with minor limitations which either physically reduce or constrain production; or require more than the simple management practices of Class 1 land to maintain sustainable production.

3 Suitable land with moderate limitations which either further constrain production or require more than the management practices of Class 2 land to maintain sustainable production.

4 Marginal land that is currently unsuitable due to severe limitations that preclude the sustainable economic use of the land in the manner proposed. The limitations may (or may not) be surmountable over time with changes to knowledge, economics or technology potentially leading to changes in the future suitability class for this category.

5 Unsuitable land with extreme limitations that preclude any possibility of successful, sustainable use of the land in the manner proposed.

CONFIDENCE Alias: Survey Mapping Confidence.
Please refer to further details in section: Data Quality \ Positional Accuracy. High HIGH MAPPING CONFIDENCE (east of easting 378000m): detailed field work, soil excavation descriptions and vegetation descriptions.

Low LOW MAPPING CONFIDENCE (west of easting 378000m): limited soil and vegetation descriptions.

LAND_UNIT Alias: Land Unit
The LAND_UNIT field is the land unit label from the spatial dataset.
Land units with a Low level of survey mapping confidence (west) include an x. (For example, 7cx)
Land units with a High level of survey mapping confidence (east) have the same description but are not labelled with an x. (For example, 7c)

LCAP_CLASS Alias: General Land Capability Class.
Land unit characteristics are broadly assessed to determine areas of high, moderate, marginal or unsuitable capability for agricultural development. Key characteristics assessed include slope, wind erosion, surface rock, soil depth, soil drainage and flooding. 1 - High Land with minimal limitations. Highly productive requiring only low management practices. (Slope 0-1%; and rock outcrop - nil; and soil depth >1 m; and soil drainage - rapid or well; and wind erosion - low susceptibility)

2 - Moderate Land with moderate limitations. Will require minor management practices. (Slope 1-2%; and/or rock outcrop - 0-2%; and/or soil depth 0.5 - 1.0 m; and/or soil drainage - moderate; and/or wind erosion - moderate susceptibility)

3 - Marginal Land with severe limitations. Will require major management practices. (Slope 2-3%; and/or rock outcrop - 2-10%; and/or soil depth 0.25-0.5 m; and/or soil drainage - imperfect; and/or wind erosion - high or very high susceptibility)

4 - Not Suitable Land not suitable for agriculture. Limitations cannot be overcome with practical and cost effective management practices. (Slope >3%; and/or rock outcrop - >10%; and/or soil depth <0.25 m; and/or soil drainage - poor or very poor; and/or wind erosion - extreme susceptibility)

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).

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

Attribute	Attribute Description	Possible Code	Code Description
AGSC_G1 (TO G7)	Alias: Suitability Class for Irrigated Agriculture. Assessed crops categorised into Group1 to Group 7. The crops are described in the metadata section, Attribute Accuracy. Each land unit has been attributed with a land suitability class between 1 and 5. (Suitable to unsuitable)	1	Suitable land with negligible limitations. This is highly productive land requiring only simple management practices to maintain sustainable production.
		2	Suitable land with minor limitations which either physically reduce or constrain production; or require more than the simple management practices of Class 1 land to maintain sustainable production.
		3	Suitable land with moderate limitations which either further constrain production or require more than the management practices of Class 2 land to maintain sustainable production.
		4	Marginal land that is currently unsuitable due to severe limitations that preclude the sustainable economic use of the land in the manner proposed. The limitations may (or may not) be surmountable over time with changes to knowledge, economics or technology potentially leading to changes in the future suitability class for this category.
		5	Unsuitable land with extreme limitations that preclude any possibility of successful, sustainable use of the land in the manner proposed.
CONFIDENCE	Alias: Survey Mapping Confidence. Please refer to further details in section: Data Quality \ Positional Accuracy.	High	HIGH MAPPING CONFIDENCE (east of easting 378000m): detailed field work, soil excavation descriptions and vegetation descriptions.
		Low	LOW MAPPING CONFIDENCE (west of easting 378000m): limited soil and vegetation descriptions.
LAND_UNIT	Alias: Land Unit The LAND_UNIT field is the land unit label from the spatial dataset. Land units with a Low level of survey mapping confidence (west) include an x. (For example, 7cx) Land units with a High level of survey mapping confidence (east) have the same description but are not labelled with an x. (For example, 7c)
LCAP_CLASS	Alias: General Land Capability Class. Land unit characteristics are broadly assessed to determine areas of high, moderate, marginal or unsuitable capability for agricultural development. Key characteristics assessed include slope, wind erosion, surface rock, soil depth, soil drainage and flooding.	1 - High	Land with minimal limitations. Highly productive requiring only low management practices. (Slope 0-1%; and rock outcrop - nil; and soil depth >1 m; and soil drainage - rapid or well; and wind erosion - low susceptibility)
		2 - Moderate	Land with moderate limitations. Will require minor management practices. (Slope 1-2%; and/or rock outcrop - 0-2%; and/or soil depth 0.5 - 1.0 m; and/or soil drainage - moderate; and/or wind erosion - moderate susceptibility)
		3 - Marginal	Land with severe limitations. Will require major management practices. (Slope 2-3%; and/or rock outcrop - 2-10%; and/or soil depth 0.25-0.5 m; and/or soil drainage - imperfect; and/or wind erosion - high or very high susceptibility)
		4 - Not Suitable	Land not suitable for agriculture. Limitations cannot be overcome with practical and cost effective management practices. (Slope >3%; and/or rock outcrop - >10%; and/or soil depth <0.25 m; and/or soil drainage - poor or very poor; and/or wind erosion - extreme susceptibility)
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).
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.
SOIL	Alias: Soil Classification System The soil classification system used to describe the soil in the land unit description
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.
SPECIES_1	Alias: Veg Dom Species 1 The dominant vegetation species described in a land unit. The order of species listed determines their dominance.
SPECIES_2	Alias: Veg Dom Species 2 The dominant vegetation species described in a land unit. The order of species listed determines their dominance.
SPECIES_3	Alias: Veg Dom Species 3 The dominant vegetation species described in a land unit. The order of species listed determines their dominance.
SURVEY_ID	Alias: Survey Identifier. A department code that usually refers to the first five characters from the original survey site sheet.
SURVEY_NME	Alias: Survey Name. The name of the survey area or report to which the mapping refers
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.
VEG_STRUC	Alias: Dominant Veg Structure Vegetation structural classes from NVIS (ESCAVI 2003), Walker and Hopkins (1998) and Specht (1970) classification schemes
VEG_SYS	Alias: Veg Classification System The National Vegetation Information System (NVIS) classification system.

Supplementary Information

Department Survey Code (Land Units): KARLS_50

REFERENCE: Carnavas M, Grealish G and Burley P
Agricultural Land Suitability Series, Report 4. Soil and Land Suitability Assessment for Irrigated Agriculture in the Tennant Creek West Area.
Technical Report 10/2016D, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Darwin, NT.

This report (pdf) may be downloaded via the Northern Territory Library, hdl.handle.net/10070/265373

MAP PRODUCTS (pdf) for this survey are available for download via these web links; Maps also available via NR Maps website nt.gov.au/

http://www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/mpds/get_file?file_id=7262 Map 1 of 3 - Land Resources, Vegetation, Soil Types.
http://www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/mpds/get_file?file_id=7263 Map 2 of 3 - General Land Capability Assessment
http://www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/mpds/get_file?file_id=7264 Map 3 of 3 - Land Suitability Assessment for Irrigated agriculture

This record maintained using the NTLIS Metadata Tool

Metadata : Soil and Land Suitability Assessment for Irrigated Agriculture in the Tennant Creek West Area