No. 36 Explanatory Notes to the Land Limitation and Agricultural Land Use Potential Map of Papua New Guinea

Abstract

Land System and Land-Form Type mapping in CSIRO’s Land Research Series covers more than 40% of Papua New Guinea. Information on land use potential is included in all but one of the14 reports.

This report collates that information and supplements it with vegetation information drawn from Report No. 35 and geomorphological information from Report No. 33. This was supplemented by information from published soil maps and reports by a Papua New Guinea Government Department. The focus in compilation of the map was mainly on land limitations important to agriculture and aerial photographs were used to improve mapping in areas of high agricultural potential. The map has four sheets.

The report discusses methods for land classification and mapping and the significant change in approach between earlier and later land system surveys in Papua New Guinea. It adopts nine dominant factors, describes how they are assessed and explains factor ratings that are the basis for identification of mapping units. The factors (arranged in order of importance) are:

1. Slope steepness (erodibility)
2. Flooding and/or inundation hazards
3. Drainage status
4. Drought risks
5. Altitude
6. Surface rocks and/or stones
7. Fertility
8. Salinity
9. Soil reaction (pH)

The report provides a detailed description of the 61 map units to amplify the summary descriptions in the map legend. It then provides tables showing the distribution of mapping units over administrative districts (as at the time of publication) and gives maps and tabular information on areas suitable for arable crops, tree crops, improved pastures and flooded rice. A final section discusses relationships between population densities and the mapping units.

Map 1 — Land Limitation and Agricultural Land Use Potential of Papua New Guinea (sheet 1 of 4) by P Bleeker. Scale 1:1,000,000. CSIRO Land Research Series No. 36, 1975.

Map 2 — Land Limitation and Agricultural Land Use Potential of Papua New Guinea (sheet 2 of 4) by P Bleeker. Scale 1:1,000,000. CSIRO Land Research Series No. 36, 1975.

Map 3 — Land Limitation and Agricultural Land Use Potential of Papua New Guinea (sheet 3 of 4) by P Bleeker. Scale 1:1,000,000. CSIRO Land Research Series No. 36, 1975.

Map 4 — Land Limitation and Agricultural Land Use Potential of Papua New Guinea (sheet 4 of 4) by P Bleeker. Scale 1:1,000,000. CSIRO Land Research Series No. 36, 1975.