Wind Erosion in Western Queensland Australia

Chapter 1 - IntroductionSimpson-Strzelecki Dunefields (38 079 km 2 ):The Simpson-Strzelecki Desert bioregion is characterised by arid dunefields and sandplains,extensive saltpans and dry riverbeds and floodplains. The dunefield soils are rudosols, withgrey clay vertosols fringing the dunes on the floodplains of the Georgina River and EyreCreek to the east of the bioregion. The dunefields consist of longitudinal dunes with crestsgenerally 5-30 m high and crest spacing from 200-500 m (Mabbutt, 1977). The dunes vary inlength and may be up to a few hundred kilometres long. Stony gibber plains surround theeastern margins of the dunefields. Rivers dissect the dunefields but flows are intermittent,with large flood events filling the inter-dune areas. The longitudinal dunes are generallystabilised with hummocky Spinifex (Triodia spp.) and cane grasses (Zygochloa paradoxa)which grow on the dune flanks and inter-dune areas (Figure 1.7). River channels followingthe inter-dunes are fringed with narrow woodlands of Coolibah (Eucalyptus coolabah) andAcacia species. Dune crests may be devoid of vegetation and become highly erodiblefollowing fire (McGowan and Clark, 2008).Figure 1.7 Images of the Simpson and Strzelecki Deserts showing (a) a fire scar in 2006 followingburning in 2002, (b) the same site in 2007 following flooding of the site, (c) vegetated dune crest andswale typical of un-burnt areas, and (d) sand dunes in the Strzelecki Desert20