Hydrological zones are a broad spatial framework grouping areas with similar hydrology. They are used to report on dryland salinity and acidification of inland waterways in the ‘Report card on sustainable natural resource use in agriculture – status and trend in the agricultural areas of the south-west of Western Australia (2013)’. Zone boundaries are derived from hydrological attributes associated with the best available soil-landscape mapping, Version 5.01.

The Wheatbelt boundary of Western Australia defines the area of cropping for wheat in Western Australia. This dataset was created in August 2009 to accurately define the limit of cropping for wheat in Western Australia. The western/southern limit was defined using interpretation of the best available aerial photography. The Clearing Line October 2002 was used to define the eastern limit of cropping. The data set updated in June 2012 to incorporate 2011 recapture of the Clearing Line to define the eastern limit of cropping.

Soil-landscape mapping covering Western Australia at the zones level of the soil-landscape mapping hierarchy. Zones derived from soil-landscape mapping (best available) Version February 2025. Intended scale of usage 1:1, 000, 000.

Generalised land use regions based on their primary agricultural land use.

This data represents the Environmental Protection Authority of Western Australia. This dataset represents the spatial boundary of the Swan Bioplan Regionally Significant Natural Areas. © Government of Western Australia 2014. Environmental Protection Authority. This dataset was formerly known as SWAN Bioplan Regionally Significant Natural Areas 2010 (EPA-008)

The rangelands are those areas where the rainfall is too low or unreliable and the soils too poor to support regular cropping. They cover about 80% of Australia and include savannas, woodlands, shrublands, grasslands and wetlands. The rangeland boundary as defined by the Australian Collaborative Rangeland Information System (ACRIS) is based on mapped bioregions and, specifically, those largely undisturbed or natural bioregions (Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia, IBRA version 7.0) within Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. The boundary in Queensland was modified according to some local government (i.e. shire) boundaries. The boundary was jointly defined by members of the ACRIS Management Committee and revised by the ACRIS Management Unit based on IBRA v7 mapping.STAT7 is the ACRIS numbering of states based on IBRA7. STAT6 is the ACRIS numbering of states, based on IBRA6.1.

The data contained within the Wheatbelt Wetlands dataset covers wetlands within most of the Wheatbelt region of south-west Western Australia, as well as in a small area of the Rangelands to the east and the Darling Scarp to the west. The data was captured from 1990 and 2000 satellite images at a scale of 1:100 000 with 25m pixel resolution.

Land capability for cropping in the south west of Western Australia based on analysis and interpretation of the best available soil-landscape mapping dataset (DPIRD-027). This assessment covers the production of rain-fed (non-irrigated) field crops under a cropping system that incorporates minimal tillage practices and stubble retention. This is a general assessment for common dryland crops grown over extensive areas (i.e. hundreds of hectares). It is best suited to the 350-600 mm rainfall zone where most extensive crops are grown (i.e. the wheatbelt), though may be extended to include some slightly higher rainfall areas. Crops included in this general assessment are wheat, barley, oats, narrow-leafed lupins, field peas, canola, chickpea and faba beans. Land capability refers to the ability of land to support a type of land use without causing damage. See DAFWA Resource Management Technical Report 298 for a description of the qualities assessed and the methodology involved. Capability ratings do not take into account factors such as the availability and quality of water supplies for irrigation or climatic risks such as frost or heat stress. Such factors need to be considered as a separate layer of information.

Land capability for grazing in the south west of Western Australia based on analysis and interpretation of the best available soil-landscape mapping dataset (DPIRD-027). This assessment covers the grazing of sheep and cattle on broadscale dryland (i.e. nonirrigated) pastures in agricultural areas (receiving an average annual rainfall more than 350 mm). Land capability refers to the ability of land to support a type of land use without causing damage. See DAFWA Resource Management Technical Report 298 for a description of the qualities assessed and the methodology involved. Capability ratings do not take into account factors such as the availability and quality of water supplies for irrigation or climatic risks such as frost or heat stress. Such factors need to be considered as a separate layer of information.