Biophysical Regions represent the largest grouping of Soil Landscape Map Units within the SA soil and land mapping hierarchy. These cover broad geographical areas, recognisable at the state-scale (i.e. Eyre peninsula, Yorke Peninsula, Northern, Central, Murray Mallee, Kangaroo Island, South East). Biophysical Regions are differentiated by the general nature of soils, landscapes, geology, native vegetation, climate and land use.

Fifteen soil groups have been identified across southern South Australia, which are groupings of 61 soils (soil types). Mapping shows the most common soil group, while more detailed proportion data are supplied for calculating respective areas of each soil group (spatial data statistics).

Biophysical Subregions correspond to the second largest grouping of Soil Landscape Map Units within the SA soil and land mapping hierarchy. Biophysical Subregions are delineated by the nature of soils, landscapes, geology, native vegetation, climate and land use, within a limited sub-regional area.

Sixty one soils (soil types) represent the range of soils found across South Australia’s agricultural lands. Mapping shows the most common soil within each map unit, while more detailed proportion data are supplied for calculating respective areas of each soil type (spatial data statistics).

Landform delineated into ten classifications types: 1) Canyons, Deeply Incised Streams; 2) Midslope Drainages, Shallow Valleys; 3) Upland Drainages, Headwaters; 4) U-shape valleys; 5) Plains; 6) Open Slopes; 7) Upper Slopes; 8) Local Ridges/Hills in Valleys; 9) Midslope Ridges, Small Hills in Plains; 10) High Ridges, Mt Tops.

Tasmania was separated into seven regions for the purposes of land system mapping for the period 1978-1989. Non-unique land systems were developed based on six descriptor classes (geological period, geological rock type, rainfall, vegetation, elevation, and differences in dominant soils. Within each land system, land components are described which present examples of soil and vegetation variation across topographic sequences (proportion estimates, but unmapped boundaries). Land Systems are considered to have a nominal scale of 1:100 000. Regions were mapped separately (as below), and amalgamated to form a digital statewide coverage: Land Systems of Tasmania Region 1: King Island. Land Systems of Tasmania Region 2: Flinders Island. Land Systems of Tasmania Region 3: North. Land Systems of Tasmania Region 4: North East Land Systems Survey of Tasmania Region 5: Central Plateau. Land Systems Surveys of Tasmania Region 6: South, East and Midlands Land Systems of Tasmania Region 7: South West.

A spatial map layer of soil type (Australian Soil Classification) for Victoria. The harmonised map consists of 3,300 land units (totaling about 225,000 polygons) derived from around 100 soil and land surveys carried out in Victoria over the past 70 years. The land units have been attributed according to the Australian Soil Classification (Order and Suborder levels of the classification scheme) based on their likely dominant soil type. Particular attention was given to harmonising land units across survey boundaries. A reliability index has been assigned to each land unit based on the quality and relevance of the originating survey, providing a qualitative reliability measure to support interpretation and data use. Soil site data contained in the Victorian Soil Information System (VSIS), and information on the Victorian Resources Online (VRO) website and original study reports have been combined with landscape knowledge to develop the new maps. Data from approximately 10,000 existing sites recorded, mostly recorded in the VSIS have been used. The soil type is based on land mapping conducted at different times, at variable scale, and for different purposes. Land units are therefore of variable scale and quality in relation to the soil they are representing. Many units will be comprised of multiple soil types and a range of soil properties, and local variability (e.g. at paddock scale level) can also sometimes be high. The mapping, therefore, is intended to represent the dominant, or most prevalent, broad soil type within the map unit. It is therefore adequate for regional or state-wide overviews but may not often be accurate enough for localised or within-farm assessments. For more detailed soil and land information, users are advised to refer to the original land study for any given map unit (e.g. via Victorian Resources Online website).

The South Australian Land Cover Layers 1987- 2015 spatial land cover datasets for 6 time periods (1987-1990, 1990-1995, 1995-2000, 2000-2005, 2005-2010 and 2010-2015). This dataset can be used to inform spatial and temporal (5 year) summaries of the described land cover types for SA. The capture method and general nature of the classes are most useful for landscape and regional scale assessment.

Soil Characterisation Site dataset contains over 1,100 representative sites across South Australia, where descriptions by soil scientists have been made of morphology, chemical and physical properties, and landscape features of a range of soils. At these sites, backhoe or excavator pits were dug to depths of 150-200 cm. Profiles were photographed and described. This information is available in Soil Characterisation Site Data Sheets.

Land Zones represent the third level grouping of Soil Landscape Map Units within a traditional hierarchy of soil and land mapping. Land zone mapping is only complete for Kangaroo Island, and zones are delineated by the nature of soils, landscapes, geology, native vegetation, subclimate and land use, within limited geographical areas.