ENVIRONMENT OF AUSTRALIA
by Saúl Calderón
The
Australian environment ranges from Antarctic territory
and rainforests to industrial areas of big cities. Forty ecoregions (areas with fauna and flora) have been identified across
Australian continent. Central Australia has a very dry climate. The interior has many deserts so most of people live in coastal areas. Northern
Australia suffer violent tropical cyclones
while much of the country is subdued to long droughts. This dry and warm environment makes Australia
vulnerable to climate change, some areas have
already experienced increases in wildfires.
The
ecology of Australia has led to a number of unique plant and
animal species, like the kangaroo and koala. Agriculture and mining are predominant which cause negative impacts on many
different ecosystems. The management of the impact on the environment
from the mining industry, the protection of the forests and native animals
are recurring ways of conservation.
PROTECTED AREAS
The
protected areas in Australia are important sources of tourism. Protected areas cover 895,288 km2 of Australia's land area, or about 11.5% of the total
land area. Of these, two-thirds are considered strictly protected. There are
also 200 marine protected areas, which cover a further 64.8 million hectares.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate
change in Australia has been a critical problem
since the beginning of the 21st century. Australia is becoming hotter and more prone to extreme heat,
fires, droughts and floods because of climate change. Since the 20th century Australia has experienced an
increase of over 1.4 °C in average annual temperatures. Recent climate events
such as extremely high temperatures and widespread drought have focused
government and public attention on the effects of climate change in Australia.
Climate change is negatively affecting the continent's environment, economy, and communities. Australia is vulnerable to the effects of global warming projected for the next 50 to 100 years because of its extensive arid and semi-arid areas, an already warm climate, high annual rainfall variability, and existing pressures on water supply. Furthermore, Australia's population is highly concentrated in coastal areas, and its important tourism industry depends on the health of the Great Barrier Reef and other fragile ecosystems.
CONSERVATION
Although most of Australia is semi-arid or desert, it covers a diverse range of habitats, from alpine heaths to tropical rainforests. Because of the great age and consequent low levels of fertility of the continent, its extremely variable weather patterns, and its long-term geographic isolation, much of Australia's biota is unique and diverse. About 85% of flowering plants, 84% of mammals and more than 45% of birds. Many of Australia's ecoregions, and the species within those regions, are threatened by human activities and introduced plant and animal species.
GEOGRAPHY OF AUSTRALIA
by Íker Celis
INTRODUCTION
The
geography of Australia encompasses a wide variety of biogeographicregions being
the world's smallest continent, while comprising the territory of the
sixth-largest country in the world.
LOCATION
Australia
is a continent and an island located in Oceania between the Indian Ocean and
the South Pacific Ocean. its territory consists of the entire continent and
smaller outlying irslands. This makes it the sixth-largest country in the world
by area of jurisdiction, which comprises 7,686,850 km2.
The
western half of Australia consists of the Western Plateau, which rises to
mountain heights near the west coast and falls to lower elevations near the
continental centre. The Western Plateau region is generally flat, though broken
by various mountain ranges such as the Hamersley Range, the MacDonnell Ranges,
and the Musgrave Range. Surface water is generally lacking in the Western
Plateau, although there are several larger rivers in the west and north, such
as the Murchison, Ashburton, and Victoria rivers.
PLACES
The Australian continental landmass consists of six distinct landform
divisions. These are:
·
- The
Eastern Highlands—including the Great Dividing Range, the fertile Brigalow Belt
strip of grassland behind the east coast, and the Eastern Uplands
·
- The Eastern alluvial Plains and Lowlands—the
Murray Darling basin covers the southern part; also includes parts of the Lake
Eyre Basin and extends to the Gulf of Carpentaria
·
- The South Australian Highlands—including the
Flinders Range, Eyre Peninsula, and Yorke Peninsula
·
- The Western Plateau—including the Nullarbor
Plain
· - The Central Deserts
- Northern Plateau and Basin
MOST TYPICAL ANIMALS
KANGAROO
The most numerous of the typical animals of Australia: between 40 and 50 million, according to official statistics. A number that exceeds even humans.
There are more than 50 species.
The marsupium (bag) is the most striking feature of marsupials, it consists of a fold of skin that covers the breasts and forms an epidermal bag that works as an incubator chamber.
KOALA BEAR
It lives in the coastal areas of the eastern and southern Australian regions, in the states of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
It is easily recognizable by its stocky body without a tail, large head with round, furry ears, and large spoon-shaped nose. They measure between 60 and 85 cm and weigh between 4 and 15 kg. Their coat color ranges from silver gray to chocolate brown.
They live in open areas of eucalyptus forests, whose leaves make up the majority of their diet.
THE TASMANIAN DEVIL
It is the largest carnivorous marsupial in existence today.
Its size is like that of a small dog, with a robust and muscular body and its skin is covered with black hair.
It is characterized by its unpleasant smell, its very loud and disturbing cry, as well as its ferocity when feeding, hence its common name. It can hunt its own prey but also feeds on carrion.
