Wind Erosion in Western Queensland Australia

Chapter 1 - IntroductionMulga Lands (192 469 km 2 ):The Mulga Lands are characterised by undulating plains and low hills on red earth soils(kandosols). Grey clays (vertosols) are common on the floodplains of the major riversystems. The eastern half of the Mulga Lands lies in the Murray-Darling Basin, with theNebine, Warrego and Paroo Rivers draining into the Darling River. The western side of theMulga Lands bioregion is covered by small internal drainage depressions, e.g. LakeBindegolly, and the Bulloo River Basin. The Bulloo River flows from the north-east ofQuilpie, terminating in a large floodout south-west of Thargomindah. Vegetation in theMulga Lands is characterised by shrublands and low woodlands (Acacia aneura). Treedensity and herbaceous vegetation cover decrease from east to west across the bioregion withincreasing aridity. Expansive open grassy areas, referred to as “black soil plains” are locatedthrough the central region of the Mulga Lands, between Quilpie, Cunnamulla andThargomindah. These plains have no tree cover and overgrazing can result in a completereduction in herbaceous cover, leaving bare surfaces that are susceptible to erosion (Figure1.6).Figure 1.6 Images of the Mulga Lands showing (a) and (b) high and low cover on a mulga sandplainnear Thargomindah, (c) woody weed incursion near Charleville, and (d) “hard mulga” lands.19