Soils of the Mowbray catchment, South Canterbury: A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science in the University of Canterbury

Abstract

Reasons for studying the Mowbray area: An area had to be found which conformed with the requirements of both Soil Bureau and Lincoln College . It had been previously agreed that the project should involve the morphology and genesis of some steepland and related soils. The Mowbray area was finally selected because: (i) it was small without being too small, and had clearly defined boundaries; (ii) a range of soil forming environments appeared to be present. An anticipated rainfall of between 25 " and 40" , an altitude range from 1800' to 5500' above sea level and the terrain variability were the major contributing factors; (iii) earlier surveys had shown that a transition from yellow-grey earths on steeplands to yellow-brown earths on steeplands occurred in this area. It was felt that a detailed investigation could do much to elucidate the relationships between such soils (figure 2). (iv) in 1945 the then owner of the land (the late Mr J. Beattie) had queried the assessment of the degree of erosion occurring in this and adjacent parts of the Orari catchment, as shown by Gibbs et al (1945). A re-investigation of the soils in the area (Cutler pers comm.) confirmed that the erosion classification, as applied in this region, was of an adequate standard for small scale maps such as those prepared by Gibbs et al (1945). A resurvey could then provide a basis for comparative revegetation studies. (v) finally, and of probably some importance in such studies of short duration, the area was known to the writer thus eliminating an initial familiarisation process often necessary when entering a region for the first time.