Northern Calcarenite Ridges and Plains (Environmental Region 2.2)
This region consists of 14 environmental associations. It comprises the northern part of the stranded dune ridge complex which makes up region 1.4 of South East Province. It has been separated from region 1.4 as its climate is drier and easterly trending sand dunes are more prevalent. The region mainly comprises calcarenite dune ridges with yellow-great duplex soils. Near Keith in the east, the dune-free plains have shallow loams derived from the underlying limestone. Large remnants of the native vegetation, mainly mallee scrub and heath are found associated with sandy soils of the dunes and swales or with swamps. The region possesses a climate with a winter rainfall maximum and somewhat dry summers; mean annual rainfall totals range from 400 mm in the north to 550 mm in the south. Temperatures range from mild to warm in summer and cool to cold in winter.
