Wind Erosion in Western Queensland Australia

Chapter 1 - IntroductionChannel Country (195 825 km 2 ):The Channel Country bioregion is characterised by braided, flood and alluvial plains of theGeorgina, Diamantina and Cooper River systems. Gibber plains, dunefields and low rangessurround the river floodplains. Soils on the floodplains of the river systems are grey andbrown cracking clays (vertosols). Kandosols, rudosols and sodosols lie beneath the gibberplains and on the dissected ranges separating the Georgina, Diamantina and Cooper rivercatchments. The south-eastern border of the Channel Country is characterised by lowtablelands and undulating plains that run into the Mulga Lands. Vegetation in the north of theChannel Country is characterised by Acacia spp. shrublands and hummock grasslands(Astrebla spp.). The floodplains in the central and southern areas of the bioregion are coveredwith open herbfields and grassland downs (Figure 1.4). Coolibah (Eucalyptus coolabah)woodlands fringe the river channels dissecting the bioregion. Spinifex grasses (Tiodia spp.)cover the sandplains to the west of the bioregion.Figure 1.4 Images of the Channel Country showing (a) an eroding sandplain on the eastern side of theSimpson Desert, (b) low dunes and gibber plains along the Eyre Creek, (c) lush pasture followingflooding of Coopers Creek near Windorah, and (d) an expansive claypan on the Diamantina River17