Soil and land information
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Summary
Landscapes and soil features associated with underlying geology, landform and soil type (together with climate) are major factors influencing vegetation growth, water movement and the suitability of land for a variety of uses.
A better understanding of land and soil is important for effective management of natural and production systems.
This page will help you understand:
- how soil data and land system knowledge is used in different sectors
- where to access soil information.
Importance of soil knowledge and data
A strong understanding of land systems and access to accurate soil data improves the decision-making capacity of project managers, and is important for:
Sustainable soil and land management
The sustainable use of soil and land in agricultural areas of SA is of increasing importance, particularly in the face of a changing climate.
A range of initiatives help identify threats to our soil and land resources (e.g. erosion, acidification, salinity), as well as opportunities for improving management and condition.
Delivery of natural resource management and landscape projects
Identifying the location, extent and severity of land management issues and areas prone to degradation; supporting whole-of-landscape sustainable land use and management decisions for both production and nature conservation.
Research and education
Identifying where in the landscape particular research outcomes apply; education of land managers, advisors, policy makers, planners, industry and the community about better soil and land management, and associated planning and policy development.
Land use planning
Identifying limitations and opportunities for particular land uses and developments, from agricultural to urban, including the identification of ‘prime agricultural land’.
Native vegetation and biodiversity management
Supporting whole-of-landscape environmental management planning; identifying suitable areas for habitat restoration; identifying threats to the environment (e.g. invasive species management under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019).
Sustainable water management
Identifying soil and land conditions, land management practices and land uses that impact on water resources, as well as developing whole-of-landscape solutions.
Landscape modelling
Developing conceptual models that answer specific questions, such as: environmental risk assessment (e.g. land salinisation); identification of biodiversity assets for protection (e.g. wetlands); land use potential (e.g. crop potential modelling); land management potential (e.g. suitability of areas for specific soil amelioration); infrastructure risk (e.g. underground cabling); and scenario modelling (e.g. modelling the potential impacts of climate change on land use, land degradation or soil carbon).
Monitoring soil health and other environmental qualities
Informing what to monitor and where; extrapolation of monitoring results across the landscape.
Accessing soil data and information
Soil data and information (factsheets, maps, reports etc.) can be access from the following resources:
- NatureMaps > Soils - soil data and information
- Enviro Data SA - information and reports
- Data.SA - spatial data
- Australian National Soil Information Systen (ANSIS) - soil data, spatial data, information and site reports
- Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia - spatial data
Find out more:
- Assessing land use potential
- Sustainable soil and land management
- Soil health and condition
- Land manager knowledge and practices
- Soil and ecosystem services
Page Updated: May 2026
