The uniqueness of the flora and fauna of Australia. Coursework flora and fauna of Australia

Australia is a highly developed and wealthy country that is part of the British Commonwealth. This state is the only one in the world that occupies the territory of a whole continent. abundance natural resources allowed the country to take one of the leading positions in the world, in various areas of economic activity.

Geographical position

The entire continent is located south of the equator and in the Eastern Hemisphere. Occupies an intermediate position between the Pacific and Indian Oceans. In addition to the mainland, it includes numerous small islands and the larger southern island of Tasmania. The total area is more than 7.6 million km 2, which is almost 2.5% of the planet's land area.

The northern boundary is located at Cape York (10°41`21 S and 142°31`50 E). extreme point in the south - Site Point Cape (39°08`20 S and 146°22`26 E). Eastern outskirts(Cape Byron) has coordinates 28°38`15 S. latitude and 153°38`14 in. e. The western edge is Cape Steep Point (26°09`05 S and 113°09`18 E).

The length of the mainland from the northern borders to the southern borders is 3200 kilometers, and from west to east - almost 4 thousand km. Coastline is 35.877 thousand km.

The surface of the continent is mostly flat. Plains occupy 95% of the mainland. The average height is 350 m. In the west, the Western Australian Plateau is located, where the height of some sections reaches 600 m. In the eastern part, there are the McDonnell Range (1511 m) and the Musgrave Mountains (1440 m). The southeast of the continent is occupied by the mountains of Mount Lofty. The low Kimberley plateau lies in the north, and the western territories are occupied by the flat-topped Hamersley mountain range (1251 m). The highest point of the continent (2230 m) is located in the Australian Alps on Mount Kosciuszko. The lowest area of ​​Australia reaches 16 meters below sea level and is located in the Eyre North Lake area.

Natural belts and climate

The formation of the climate and the formation of natural zones determined the geographical position of the mainland.

Australia is located within the warm belts of the southern part of the Earth. There are several types of climate on the mainland.

subequatorial

Under its influence are the northern and northeastern areas. It is characterized by weak temperature fluctuations (+23-25°C) and high seasonal humidity. Monsoon air currents coming from the northwest bring a large number of precipitation (from 1500 to 2000 mm). Most of them fall in the summer. In winter, it rarely rains. During this period, hot continental winds dominate here, causing drought.

Tropical

The belt occupies almost 40% of the entire surface of the mainland and is divided into two types:

1. Wet tropics. They occupy the extreme eastern lands, dominated by humid Pacific trade winds. Annual amount rainfall reaches 1500 mm. There is no sharp division into seasons. Almost all year round the temperature is from +22 to +25°C. Only in the coldest months does it drop to +13 - +15°С.
2. Dry tropics. Characteristic for the central and western territories. The temperature during the summer months rises to +30°С (and higher). In winter it drops to +10 - +15°С. In the dry tropics are the largest Australian deserts. There is a sharp fluctuation of temperatures during the day (from +35 in the daytime to -4°C). Precipitation is about 300 mm, but they are distributed very unevenly.

Subtropical

The climatic conditions of the belt are not the same. The southeastern area is influenced by the Mediterranean climate. The summer months are dry and hot. It gets humid in winter. The temperature difference depending on the season is insignificant: from +23 to +25°C in summer and +12 to +15°C in winter. Precipitation is moderate - 500-1000 mm per year.

The subtropical continental climate dominates the coast of the Great Australian Gulf, spreading to the east. It is characterized by low rainfall and a large temperature difference throughout the year.

The zone of humid subtropics includes the state of Victoria and foothill areas in the south-west of the state of New South Wales. Mild weather prevails. Precipitation is 500-600 mm. The main part of the moisture falls on coastal lands. They shrink as they move inland.

Moderate

The climate is present only on the island of Tasmania (in the central and southern parts). The ocean has a special influence here. In the temperate zone, there is abundant rainfall and the change of seasons is clearly visible. In summer the air warms up to +10°С, in winter - up to +15 - +17°С.

natural belts

The formation of natural zones is due climatic conditions, topography and soil features.

There are several belts on the mainland:

1. Savannah and woodland zone. It is located in a subequatorial and tropical climate. Arcuately pass through the flat lands of Carpentaria and the Central Lowland.
2. Deserts and semi-deserts. They occupy large areas of the tropics and subtropics. Covers part of the Western Australian Plateau, the southern Nullarbor Plain and lands in the lowlands of Murray-Darling.
3. Forest areas cover a number of climatic zones(tropics and subtropics, subequatorial and temperate) and are divided into several types. Variably humid are common in the highlands of the Great Dividing Range. Tropical evergreens ran through the southern terrain and the eastern coastal zone of the Cape York Peninsula. In the extreme southwestern lands there are dry hard-leaved shrubs and forests.

Soils

The Australian continent is a territory of relic and contrasting soils. There are both highly moistened and arid soils. Arid zones and arid sandstones occupy almost 1/3 of the entire area of ​​Australia.

On the mainland, almost all types of soils are common, which are characteristic of various natural zones of the continent.

The value of soil resources is quite large. Their composition and fertility influence the formation of huge natural complexes. The level of moisture and humus content determines their suitability for various directions economic activity.

So, on fertile red, brown and brown soils with a high content organic matter and mineral elements are grown large fields of wheat. Serozems grow fruit crops and forage grasses are grown. Gray-brown soils of the tree-shrub zone are less fertile. Areas with this type of soil serve as pastures for livestock.

Plants of Australia

Australian nature is unusually beautiful. This is a colorful world of amazing plants and rare animals. More than 12 thousand species of flora and fauna have settled on its lands. Of these, about nine thousand are endemic species. The climate and soil features determined the spread of a certain type of vegetation.

Eucalyptus

The eucalyptus tree is a characteristic representative of the flora. More than five hundred varieties (from tropical to alpine) grow here. Among them there are giants up to 80 m high, as well as undersized shrubs. Distribution is affected by the degree of moisture, temperature regime and soil type.

Eucalyptus trees dominate the southern and eastern forests. Smaller shrub varieties are common in dry areas of the savannah. You can not find eucalyptus on the tops of mountains, in inland deserts, tropical rainforests.

The brightest representatives of eucalyptus trees - curry and jarrah trees - are found in southwestern forests. Western Australia. The most widespread is the Camaldul eucalyptus. It grows along the banks of rivers and various reservoirs.

acacia

The southern lands abound with acacias. These exquisite and hardy plants occupy large mainland areas. A sprawling, brightly flowering tree has found application in landscaping in various zones. The most common is the golden acacia, which has become national symbol states. Bright inflorescences, having a golden yellow color, give the tree sophistication and exoticism.

Forests

Forest zones occupy 16.2% of total area continent. Most of it is located on the east coast. Small areas are located in the northern part.

Woodlands are divided into several main types, common in different zones of Australia:

1. wet evergreens rainforests. Most large territories(1.1 million hectares) belong to them. Settled in areas of the Great Dividing Range and some parts of Queensland. The tropics have become a natural habitat for a variety of vines, nettles and stinging trees.
2. Variably humid deciduous tropical forests occupy the northern lands and small areas in the northeast. They include palm trees, ficuses, bamboo, cypress, camphor tree.
3. Mangroves. They occupy the north of the mainland. Today, these forests are on the verge of extinction due to changing climatic conditions;
4. Subantarctic broad-leaved and coniferous. Most common on the island of Tasmania. Represented by globular eucalyptus, southern beech, oblong callitris.
5. Dry forests and woodlands. Formed in conditions of low humidity. Dry forests and shrubs occupy zones of tropical deserts, shrouds and subtropics.

meadows

Meadowlands come to replace the forest when moving inland. They serve as an excellent food base for wild and domestic animals. Astrebla grows almost everywhere, thorny spinifex grows in arid areas, and kangaroo grass is found in southern meadows.

Other representatives of the flora

Among the general variety flora Australia, there are unique plants that grow only in this area: boab tree, macrosamia, macadamia nut.

Quite interesting species are also known:

• caustis - herbaceous plant, which have winding stems instead of leaves;
• kingia - a thick-stemmed tree with a top resembling porcupine thorns;
• evergreen beech;
• sundew;
• ferns.

Rare and extinct species

Human activity and other factors have led to the extinction of more than eighty species of plants on the mainland. The threat of extinction threatens more than two hundred species. Australian Aborigines used plant components in medicine and used in food. Nuts, berries, tubers and even flower nectar often served as food for the locals.

The destructive impact of natural factors and humans has made many plants rare. Among them are araucaria, bidvilla biblis, pink-flowered (rainbow) eucalyptus, richea paniculata, sac cephalotus. Eupomatia Bennett is an endangered species.

Animal world

The Australian animal community consists of 200 thousand species (including mammals, reptiles, birds, fish, insects, amphibians).

Peculiarity Australian fauna the fact that there are practically no large predators, an abundance of ruminants, monkeys, but only unique endemic animals live. Each Australian region is inhabited by unique representatives of the fauna. The most common are marsupials, bats and rodents.

Kangaroo

An animal that has become a symbol of Australia. More than fifty species of kangaroo are found on the mainland. Among them are kangaroo rats, rock and tree kangaroos. The smallest representatives have a height of 20-23 cm, and large ones can reach 160 cm. It is interesting that the large representatives of the genus are called kangaroos, and the small ones are called wallabies.

Koala

No less bright representative of the animal world, living in the eucalyptus forests of the continent.

Wombat

A medium-sized animal that looks like a mixture of a large hamster and a bear. Burrow dweller building underground labyrinths. The tunnels can be up to 30 meters long.

Platypus

An egg-laying mammal, has an interesting appearance. They are excellent swimmers, but they are used to living on land more often.

The lands of Australia have become home to many amazing animals. Often you can meet the Australian echidna, flying foxes, nambat (marsupial anteater), marsupial mice.

The rarest representatives of the local animal community are the spotted-tailed marsupial marten, wild dog dingo, wallabies, tree kangaroos, and rabbit bandicoot. All of them are listed in the Red Book, in sections for species that are threatened (or may be threatened) with extinction.

Ecological problems

The problems of the ecology of the Australian continent are quite specific. The most tangible among them are the depletion of land reserves and soil erosion. The main reason is the mining industry. By extracting valuable metals, coal and other minerals, people destroy the structure of the earth, making it unusable.

Another significant problem is the lack fresh water. Since the time of colonization, the number of water sources has decreased by 60%. Growing population exacerbates ecological state countries. The areas of the mainland are 65% populated, but the main part of the continent is occupied by deserts. Because of this, Australia's population density is very high. Economic activity human leads to pollution environment, the destruction of forest lands and, as a result, the disappearance of many species of flora and fauna. Every Australian must protect nature, thereby saving it from pollution.

The presented video tells about the nature of Australia.

Some interesting facts about Australia:

1. An Australian landmark is the southern pasture of Anna Creek. The largest pasture in the world, larger than Belgium.
2. There are more sheep in Australia than people. Sheep herds in the aggregate include more than one hundred million heads, and the number of people is just over 24 million.
3. In the mountainous areas of Australia, there is more snow cover than in the Swiss Alps, and mountain tourism is very well developed.

Video

Learn more about Australia in this video.

Animal world. Climate. Vegetation.

Australia is a state located on the mainland of the same name. This is a continent that is washed by the Pacific and Indian oceans. The climate of Australia differs sharply depending on the region: in the north the climate is tropical, and in the south it is temperate. The flora and fauna of Australia is also diverse. The warmest months on this continent, oddly enough, are the months from November to January with temperatures ranging from twenty to thirty-two degrees Celsius. In the central regions, you can observe the temperature and much higher (from thirty-eight to forty-two degrees Celsius plus). In Australia, as well as in the desert, after sunset it can drop sharply by ten to fifteen degrees. And in June - August, on the contrary, it is very cool (plus fifteen to eighteen degrees Celsius), temperate zone sometimes even down to zero degrees. Rain is not uncommon during these months.

Natural areas of Australia:

1. Natural Area Tropics(forty percent of the continent is located in this territory). Tropical rain forests in Australia are similar to African forests: the same tiered structure and richness of life forms represented. On the northeast coast of mainland Australia is an area called the "Wet Tropics of Queensland" (after the name of the occupied territory of the state of Queensland). The Wet Tropics of Queensland has been the subject of world heritage UNESCO, because many representatives of flora and fauna living in this territory are under the threat of extinction. These tropical forests stretch for four hundred and fifty kilometers and go around the northeast coast of Australia. The climate in this area varies from very humid to humid ( average temperature in summer thirty degrees Celsius, in winter about twenty-five with a plus sign). The flora and fauna of the Wet Tropics of Queensland is very diverse (about 400 plant species and more than a hundred animal species, many of which, as mentioned above, are on the verge of extinction).

Tropics of Queensland

Wet Tropics of Australia

Daintree Forest is considered the oldest on earth. Its age is more than one hundred and thirty-five million years. It is located in North Queensland on the northeast coast of the Australian mainland.

daintree forest

daintree forest australia

As mentioned above, the fauna of this zone is very rich and diverse. In the tropics, mainly marsupials live (there are more than two hundred and fifty species of them). Some of them: koala, bat, opossum, giant kangaroo. The bats They feed mainly on insects, but there are also representatives of mice that feed on birds, frogs, fish, which live in abundance in the Wet Tropics, along with numerous species of reptiles and butterflies.

Moloch (prickly devil)

The history of the marsupial, the wolf, which until recently lived in the tropics, is very tragic. There is such a theory that with the advent of the Australian European people on the territory, this animal was exterminated mercilessly. And when the number of the marsupial wolf reached a critical state, the matter was aggravated by the sudden attack of dog plague. As a result, the last representative of this wolf species died in 1936 in a private zoo.

One of the most interesting animals living in Australia you can call it a koala. Koalas are very similar to bears, but are separated into a separate family, because. their life is unique. A lot is known about koalas. interesting facts. For example, that these wonderful bears eat only eucalyptus trees and hardly drink water, that the fingerprints of koalas are similar to human fingerprints, that the pregnancy of a female koala lasts no more than 35 days, and after that the baby is carried in the mother's bag. The koala sleeps at least eighteen hours a day, and its height is sixty to eighty centimeters. Recently, the number of koalas has greatly increased, despite the fact that they often suffer from human diseases (sinusitis, conjunctivitis, cestitis).

2. Natural Zone of Deserts and Semi-Deserts. Sixty percent (the entire central part of the mainland) is located in these zones. Subtropical and tropical continental climate dominates here. The Desert and Semi-Desert Natural Zone extends to the south, center and west of Australia. Flora of this natural area represented by eucalyptus, prickly acacia. Eucalyptus trees are the tallest trees in Australia. But in desert zones, they prevail in the form of shrubs two to three meters high. They grow very quickly and gain a height of at least two meters in a year. Eucalyptus trees are evergreens, but in desert areas they shed their leaves during dry periods. Under the leaves of eucalyptus trees in eucalyptus forests, it is cozy and good for acacias. The predominant species of desert acacia is the Kambagi or giji acacia and the Dahlia acacia. There are six hundred and seventy one species of acacia, 12 of which are endemic (unique and have no analogues in the world) and 33 species are disappearing from the face of the earth.

Since the soils of tropical deserts are very saline, drought-resistant grasses also predominate there.

Semi-desert in Australia

Acacia in Australia

Fauna life is most active during the rainy season. Animal world The deserts of Australia are represented by the dingo dog, marsupial mole, large red kangaroos, ground hare, foxes, birds of prey, termites, lizards, and mice. Dingo dog is a wild dog that is common not only in Australia but also on other continents. These dogs are reddish-yellow in color and have longer fangs and a flatter skull than normal dogs. Dingo dog is a predator that preys on livestock, opossums, kangaroos and other animals.

One of the brightest representatives of the fauna of Australia is the kangaroo. Kangaroo is a very mysterious and unusual animal. These animals have excellent hearing, they live in nests, burrows, as well as in pits, caves and rocks. A unique feature of kangaroos is that they can be without water for months. The kangaroo family includes large (wallaroo), medium (wallaby) and small kangaroos (kangaroo rats). In general, there are more than fifty species of them and their size ranges from thirty centimeters to one and a half meters. For example, Wallaroo kangaroos are very pugnacious, people use it, and therefore kangaroo fights are very popular in Australia, where tourists and locals place bets on the sweepstakes.

Australia is a continent located in the southern hemisphere of our planet. Australia's nature is diverse and unique. Here you can meet rare species animal and plant world.

Currently, about 1,000 thousand reserves operate in Australia. Unfortunately, every year more and more species of flora and fauna completely disappear.

General characteristics of the nature of Australia

Australia is considered the oldest landmass on earth. The mainland is located on the ancient Precambrian platform, which was formed more than 3 billion years ago.

Australia is located in the aisles of such climatic zones: tropical, subtropical, temperate and subequatorial. The river network of Australia is rather poorly developed: the reason for this is the low amount of precipitation on this continent.

Flora of Australia

Since the Australian climate is particularly dry, mainly dry-loving plants grow here - eucalyptus, cereals, succulent trees, umbrella acacias. Trees that grow on the mainland have a very strong root system.

So the roots of some tree species go as deep as 20 m. In Australia, trees of a rich green color are very rare, most of them have a dull green-gray color.

In some territories of the north of the mother

Thickets of bamboo grow along the Pacific coast. The center of Australia is a semi-desert, where acacia and eucalyptus bushes grow, as well as tall grasses. Many plant species were introduced to Australia by European colonists.

Australia's climate favors the cultivation of crops such as oats, barley, corn, wheat and cotton.

fauna of australia

The fauna of Australia is very rich. A large number of rare animals live here, which cannot be found on any other continent. characteristic feature The fauna of Australia is that there is only one species of predatory mammals in it - the dingo dog.

The first Europeans to set foot on Australian soil were surprised by such animals as the platypus and kangaroo. Australia is also home to such unique animals as the koala, frilled lizards that move on two legs, flying squirrels and echidnas.

The world of Australian birds is also amazing - emu ostriches, cockatoo parrots, crowned pigeons, lyre birds. Many of them are very brightly colored.

The wildlife of Australia is unique, as many representatives of the flora and fauna live only here. This is due to the isolation of the Green continent and its considerable remoteness from other continents. The most important difference between the nature of mainland Australia is that there are no predators among mammals. This mission was undertaken by wild dogs, foxes and some other animals brought to the continent, which led to a decrease in the population of the main representatives of the fauna of Australia.

Marsupials in Australia are represented by 180 various types, which differ from each other, both in their way of life and in their methods of reproduction, but they are similar in one thing: on the stomach of these marsupials there is a deep fold, which is called a bag, in which they nurse their cubs after birth.

This is extremely necessary, since marsupials are born very weak and are not independent special for a long time. We will now tell you about some representatives of the marsupial animals of Australia.

Marsupial animal, leading a nocturnal lifestyle, lives in trees

Many tourists are interested in the question of where the koala lives. An unusual animal spends most of its life on trees, only occasionally descending to the ground.

When climbing trees, the claws of the animal close into a strong lock, which allows it to stay on any trunk. Exactly the same claws are in the cubs, which move, tenaciously grabbing the mother's fur.

These huge representatives of marsupials differ in their characteristics from other individuals of the same classification. But what is so special about them, you ask, and in general, does a male kangaroo have a bag? In fact, it is the prerogative of the mother to carry the baby in the most secluded place. The pocket, smooth on the inside, is lined with thick fluffy fur at the entrance. Thus, the baby is protected from any bad weather.

Kangaroos and emus have never been official symbols of Australia, but they are associated only with this state. Kangaroos and emu ostriches do not know how to move backwards, which is why they got on the national emblem. These proud shield-holders were called upon to express the federation's confident decision to always go forward! Kangaroos and emus are only found here, as are the koala, the platypus and the cackling kookaburra bird. The platypus, as a symbol of Australia, is depicted on the Australian 20 cent coin.

What kind of animals live in Australia - a small mainland, far removed from the rest of the continents? In our article you will find the answer to this question.

The flora and fauna of Australia amaze with their beauty and exoticism, and you can enjoy them not only far from cities and in specialized reserves, but also in numerous squares and parks where nature is carefully protected and protected.

Many of Australia's animals and plants are unique: some 12,000 wildlife and 550 species of eucalyptus trees are found nowhere else but this amazing continent.

Interesting fact about Australia

Australia - the mainland-record holder for the number of poisonous animals

The secretive platypus lives on the banks of rivers and streams in Eastern and Southern Australia and Tasmania.

The platypus is an extremely peculiar animal that has adapted to extremely specific living conditions in aquatic environment. It has a smooth, streamlined body covered in short, brown fur. Its front paws are equipped with membranes that promote movement in water and life in burrows.

The continent of Australia is called "the land of prehistoric creatures".

Only in Australia live unique mammals that lay eggs - echidna and platypus. Birds are also unusual there, including birds the size of half a sparrow and giant emu ostriches that cannot fly, but run fast. Another amazing creature lives there - a giant earthworm, reaching 3.5 m in length and 30 cm in thickness: it quickly glides through its underground tunnels, while making strange rustling-gurgling sounds.

The nature of Australia has many features that distinguish it from the nature of other parts of the world. Australia is primarily a continent of relics - animals and plants preserved from past geological eras. There are no young folded mountains, active volcanoes, modern glaciation here.

fauna of australia

The fauna of Australia includes about 200 thousand species of animals, and among them a huge number of unique animals. 83% of mammals, 89% of reptiles, 90% of fish and insects and 93% of amphibians are indigenous to Australia and completely unique to the rest of the planet. A characteristic feature of Australia has always been that it did not have indigenous predatory mammals. The only dangerous beast of prey and almost the only enemy of sheep herds is the dingo dog, an animal of medium size between a fox and a wolf. Dingoes were introduced by Austronesians who traded with Australian aborigines from 3000 BC e. Australia also did not have its own thick-skinned and ruminant animals.

Many plants and animals, including giant marsupials, died out with the settlement of the mainland by natives; others (for example, the Tasmanian tiger (better known as the marsupial wolf)) became extinct already with the advent of Europeans.

Many ecological regions of Australia and their flora and fauna are still threatened by human activities and non-indigenous, introduced species of plants and animals.

One of the surprising features of Australia is the absence of representatives of most of the units represented on other continents. In Australia, egg-laying mammals are found in large numbers - the platypus, an aquatic mammal covered with fur and having a beak similar to a duck, and an echidna, or spiny anteater.

Most of the local mammals are marsupials, the most famous are kangaroos, of which there are about 50 species: the most major representatives are a big red kangaroo and a real gray kangaroo jumping up to 9 meters in length; wallabies and kangaroo rats are the smallest marsupials. Some marsupials also live on the trees: opossum and koala.

Marsupials include wombats, Australian bandicoots, marsupial mice. A rare predator lives on the island of Tasmania - the marsupial devil. One of the typical Australian animals is the dingo dog. Reptiles are also quite widely represented: among them are two types of crocodiles, one of which - the crested crocodile - reaches a length of 6 m; 500 species of lizards, among which the gecko and monitor lizard stand out. There are about 100 species in Australia poisonous snakes, in particular, the taipan in the north, the Australian tiger snake and viper in the south, the Australian copperhead and black snake in the rest of the regions are noteworthy. Coastal waters serve as a refuge for a large number of marine animals: several species of whales are observed in the south, seals are found on some parts of the southern coast, and dugong and trepang are found in northern waters. A fairly large number of dangerous animals live in the coastal waters of Australia: about 70 species of sharks, including the black shark and reef shark; Australian jellyfish (sea wasp), one touch of which can end tragically; sea ​​snake, reaching 3 m in length and whose bite is deadly; warty fish and blue octopus. Among insects, giant termites are especially notable, and giant earthworms in Victoria are the largest in the world (from 0.9 to 3.7 m in length). There are more than 700 species of birds on the continent: emu, cassowary, kookaburra, lyrebird, a large number of parrots and cockatoos, black swans, thin-billed petrel and many others.