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Australia's natural vegetation is comprised of plants that are indigenous to the country, including trees, shrubs, sedges, herbs, and grasses, as well as lower life forms such as mosses, lichens, and fungi. The country's vegetation can be broadly categorized into four types: rainforest, sclerophyll forest, woodlands and heaths, grassy vegetation, and wetlands. These vegetation types are derived from different historic disturbance types and exhibit varying recovery mechanisms after disturbances. Australia's flora has adapted to the country's variable climate, ancient nutrient-depleted soils, and frequent fires, and it plays a crucial role in stabilizing soil, supporting biodiversity, and providing economic value. However, human activities have led to the clearing, degradation, and fragmentation of native vegetation, endangering unique plant and animal species.
Natural Vegetation Types Found in Australia
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of vegetation types | 4 |
| Vegetation types | Rainforest, sclerophyll forest, woodlands and heaths, wetlands, grassland |
| Main vegetation type | Rainforest |
| Rainforest characteristics | Grows in more fertile, fire-protected areas, widespread across Australia, not resilient to fire, resilient to tree falls and storms |
| Rainforest recovery | Regenerates from seed, remnants can recover well from weed invasions, broad-scale clearing may result in the complete removal of mature species |
| Other vegetation characteristics | Grassland is the dominant vegetation type in Australia, accounting for 23% of native vegetation |
| Other vegetation types | Eucalypt woodlands, Acacia forests and woodlands, Acacia shrublands, Tussock grasslands, Chenopod/samphire shrubs and forblands |
| Number of described species of vascular plants | Over 21,077 |
| Number of phanerogamian (seed plant) flora species | 20,000 |
| Number of native flora fern species | 390 |
| Number of naturalised fern species | 10 |
| Number of native flora "fern allies" species | 44 |
| Number of ecosystems at risk of collapse | 18 |
| Number of terrestrial ecosystems at risk of collapse | 10 |
| Forest cover in Australia | 17% of the total land area |
| Naturally regenerating forest cover in Australia | 131,614,800 hectares |
| Planted forest cover in Australia | 2,390,300 hectares |
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What You'll Learn
Rainforest
There are several types of rainforests in Australia, including tropical and subtropical rainforests in northern and eastern Australia, warm-temperate rainforests in New South Wales and Victoria, and cool-temperate rainforests in Victoria, Tasmania, and small areas of New South Wales and Queensland. Dry rainforests occur in fire-protected pockets in sub-coastal and inland areas of northern, eastern, and western Australia, while monsoon rainforests are found in seasonally dry coastal and sub-coastal regions of northern Australia.
The structural complexity of rainforests varies, with some forests having a single tree layer and few plant forms, while others have several layers and a greater variety of plant forms, including woody vines, fan palms, epiphytic ferns, and strangler figs. Rainforests in South East Queensland, for example, have two tree layers and a less diverse canopy layer, while those on the cool mountain tops along the McPherson Range have one or two tree layers and a dense canopy.
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Sclerophyll forest
Dry sclerophyll forests are found in areas with low soil-moisture retention and require moderate rainfall to sustain themselves. They can be found in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia. These forests typically have trees that are 25-35 metres tall and have moderately dense canopies. The forest floor is covered with grasses and shrubs, and the trees have long trunks and flat, wedge-shaped crowns.
Wet sclerophyll forests, on the other hand, grow in areas with high rainfall and well-drained soils. They are found in Queensland, particularly in the south-east and along the western edge of the rainforests in the Wet Tropics of far north Queensland. These forests can grow up to 60 metres tall and have open canopies. The understorey may be composed of rainforest plants or grassy areas with sparse shrubs, and the forest provides an important habitat for many animals.
The eucalypts in sclerophyll forests are well adapted to fires, which are a common form of disturbance in Australia. Post-fire studies have shown that wildfires can kill parasitic mistletoes, which are detrimental to the health of eucalypt trees. Additionally, the regeneration of wet sclerophyll forests in Queensland can be encouraged by low to moderate levels of fire or mechanical disturbance, which helps reduce the density of shrubs and small trees in the understorey, creating ideal conditions for eucalypt growth.
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Woodlands and heaths
Natural vegetation in Australia can be broadly classified into four types: rainforest, sclerophyll forest, woodlands and heaths, and grassy vegetation. Woodlands and heathlands are found in areas where soil and wind conditions prevent the growth of tall trees. These habitats are typically located near coastal areas that are windswept and salt-sprayed, and they are characterised by shrubs and stunted trees. Examples of plants that grow in these areas include Banksia, Angophora, Lomandra, Hakea, and Xanthorrea. These plants can form dense, prickly thickets, even on the thin soils of coastal headlands, providing excellent cover for birds and reptiles seeking insects and other invertebrates. Additionally, the flowering of these plants attracts a diverse range of insects and other animals, contributing to the ecological balance of the region.
Heathlands, in particular, cover approximately 8% of the Sydney Basin. They are often found on clay soils, sand dunes, and sandstone, showcasing their adaptability to varying soil conditions. The resilience of these vegetation types is also evident in their ability to recover from disturbances. For example, rainforests, which are more common in fire-protected areas, can withstand tree falls and storms due to the resprouting capabilities of most species. On the other hand, woodlands and heathlands are more susceptible to fires and droughts, and their recovery mechanisms may involve both resprouting and regeneration from seed.
The unique character of Australia's natural vegetation is deeply intertwined with the country's cultural identity. For instance, the people of the wet tropics of northern Queensland identify as Rainforest People, reflecting the integral role that rainforests play in their sense of place and belonging. However, human activities have led to the clearing, degradation, and fragmentation of native vegetation, endangering many of Australia's unique plants and animals. This loss of habitat has contributed to a reduction in biodiversity.
In recent years, Australia has made significant investments in the sustainable use and conservation of its native vegetation. Efforts include managing and protecting natural areas and restoring degraded landscapes. These initiatives aim to preserve the immense economic value provided by native vegetation, such as soil stabilisation, water purification, carbon storage, and supporting biodiversity. As Australia faces unprecedented environmental challenges, such as the massive bushfires of 2019-2020 that severely impacted native vegetation, these conservation efforts become even more critical to safeguarding the country's unique and diverse natural habitats.
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Wetlands
Australia is home to numerous stunning wetlands, which are great places to observe the country's native birdlife. Wetlands are one of the four main vegetation types in Australia, characterised by fluctuations in water regimes, erosion, and siltation. They are highly dynamic ecosystems that support a diverse range of plant and animal life.
The wetlands in Australia vary from palustrine wetlands, which are dominated by freshwater plants and are influenced by groundwater and surface water, to estuarine wetlands, which are influenced by tidal movements and are found along the coast. These wetlands provide essential habitats for a wide array of species, including waterbirds such as jabiru, egrets, brolga, and comb-crested jacana. During the dry season, from May to October, when the water contracts into billabongs, up to 3 million waterbirds gather in the wetlands.
The resilience of Australian wetlands is remarkable, with some studies documenting their ability to withstand dry phases and recover from disturbances. However, they face various threats, including climate change, underground mining activities, floodplain development, and invasion by feral animals and weed species. These factors can disrupt the delicate balance of wetland ecosystems, impacting biodiversity, habitat value, ecosystem function, and water quality.
To address these challenges, the NSW Government has implemented various legislation, policies, and programs to protect wetlands. For example, the Water Management Act 2000 sets requirements for water-sharing plans for NSW rivers, recognising their crucial role in preserving wetlands. Additionally, the NSW Wetlands Policy promotes the sustainable conservation, management, and utilisation of wetlands, ensuring their long-term health and functionality.
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Grasslands
The Australian grassland is a land of extremes, with cycles of fire, drought, and rain shaping the landscape. While wildfires are a natural part of the ecosystem, the intensity and spread of fires during the 2019-2020 fire season were unprecedented, resulting in the loss of human and animal lives and severe damage to the grasslands and other vegetation types.
The Southeast Australia temperate savanna is another example of a grassland ecoregion, running north-south across central New South Wales. It is characterised by dry, low hills and valleys, with the southern section being a wheat-growing plain and the northern section used for grazing sheep. The savanna includes rivers such as the Murray, Murrumbidgee, and Darling, which are important water sources for the region. However, these grasslands are vulnerable to overgrazing and the depletion of water sources due to large irrigation projects.
Human activities, such as pasture development, agriculture, and land clearing, have had significant impacts on Australia's grasslands. While native herbage remains crucial for the grazing industry, exotic species have supplemented or replaced native grasses in some areas. Additionally, the conversion of savanna to pasture or wheatland has led to habitat loss and the invasion of invasive species. Conservation efforts are necessary to protect and restore these vulnerable grassland ecosystems.
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