South Coast (Environmental Region 1.1)

This region consists of five environmental associations. Within the province this is the region of maximum instability and dynamic change. It extends as a narrow strip up to 10km wide from the Victorian border to the mouth of the Murray River. The landform sequence includes, from the coast inland, a beach which is backed by a series of parallel coastal dunes and swales. The dunes frequently enclose extensive lagoons, some of which have filled to form level plains. Locally sea cliffs are present where calcarenite (cemented calcareous sand) crops out. The native vegetation is degraded over large areas. Where this disturbed vegetation is associated with dunes, the little-developed sandy soils are very susceptible to wind erosion. There is a moderately high rainfall ranging from 500 mm per annum in the north, gradually increasing to 800 mm in the south, with a pronounced winter rainfall maximum. The temperature range is restricted throughout the year and within each month due to the moderating influence of the sea.