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Australia is a large nation, with a varied ecology that lends itself to a rich biodiversity. With its massive size, Australia hosts 40 different Worldwide Fund for Nature-designated terrestrial ecoregions. These ecoregions include biomes such as grasslands, shrublands, forests, tundra, savanna, and alpine. However, it is worth noting that Australia does not have every biome found on Earth. For example, high-altitude steppes, or grasslands, are not commonly found in Australia, though there are a few patches in Kosciusko National Park that resemble this biome. Additionally, the Antarctic tundra is a biome found on Macquarie Island, which is part of Tasmania, but not on Australia's mainland.
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What You'll Learn
Tundra biome
Australia is a large nation, with over 21,000 miles of coastline, and is considered the largest island on Earth. Due to its size and geographic location, Australia has a diverse range of ecological regions and biomes, with 40 Worldwide Fund for Nature-designated terrestrial ecoregions.
One of the biomes found in Australia is the tundra. The Australian tundra is a frozen desert located on the Antipodes Subantarctic Islands, which are made up of five island groups: Macquarie, Heard, McDonald, and two others. This tundra ecoregion is cold and windswept, with grassland and shrubs, and algae and lichen covering the rocks. The islands are home to the Cyathea tree fern, but have no native mammals, reptiles, or amphibians. They do, however, provide a breeding ground for seals, sea lions, and elephant seals.
The tundra biome is not found on the Australian mainland, but it is still considered part of Australia due to territorial claims. These claims are recognised by a total of four countries, one of which still maintains a station in the region. The status of these claims is a subject of debate, particularly in relation to the continent of Antarctica, of which Australia claims 42%.
The tundra biome is just one of the many ecological regions found in Australia, each with its own unique characteristics and biodiversity. Australia's varying ecology and large size contribute to its rich biodiversity, making it home to a wide variety of plant and animal species.
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Forests
The forests of Australia are comprised of both softwood and hardwood trees, with the majority being hardwood, typically eucalypts. Softwoods, such as pine, dominate some native forests, but their total area is not considered extensive enough to be classified as a major forest type in the country's National Forest Inventory. The National Forest Inventory defines a forest as an area of land primarily covered by trees that are at least two metres tall and have a crown cover of at least 20%.
The forests of eastern Australia are particularly notable, being considered a global biodiversity hotspot. They are home to over 2,000 endemic plant species and significant areas of rainforest that have survived for more than 100 million years. Unfortunately, these ancient forests are under threat from human activity, climate change, and bushfires, with nearly half of the original forests in eastern Australia having been lost.
There are several ecoregions within Australia's forest biomes, including:
- Eastern Australian Temperate Forests
- Southeast Australia Temperate Forests
- Tasmanian Temperate Forests
- Tasmanian Temperate Rainforests
- Tasmanian Central Highland Forests
- Lord Howe Island Subtropical Forests
- Norfolk Island Subtropical Forests
- Queensland Tropical Rainforests
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Grasslands
Australia is no exception, with grasslands and shrublands existing throughout the country. The country's grasslands are home to a variety of grass species, including spinifex, a spiny grass that is often planted along the seashore to prevent erosion. Spinifex grows all year round and is resistant to salt water spray, making it ideal for coastal areas. It grows in clumps called hummocks or tussocks, which can be up to 2 metres in diameter. Hummock grasslands, dominated by spinifex or porcupine grasses, cover most of inland Australia. These grasslands are also referred to as open woodlands due to the presence of trees such as acacia and eucalypt species.
The Australian Alps Montane Grassland ecoregion is located at an altitude of over 1,300 meters above sea level, resulting in a colder climate and different plant life, including mountain ash and snow gum. This region has been relatively protected and remains mostly intact due to the soil being less suitable for farming.
The eucalypt and acacia open woodlands are "almost grasslands" with a tree cover of 10-30%, with the understory consisting of hummock or tussock grasses. These areas have been impacted by overgrazing and an increase in fire intensity.
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Aquatic biome
Australia is a large continent with over 21,000 miles of coastline. It is home to a diverse range of aquatic biomes, from freshwater regions to marine environments. The aquatic biome is divided into two main types: freshwater and marine.
Freshwater regions, such as lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds, have a low salt concentration. Rivers can be fast-flowing or slow-flowing, and they provide pathways for water to travel across the land. Streams are smaller flows of water and can be called creeks or rivulets. Wetlands are also considered freshwater habitats and are areas with many water plants, such as reeds, grasses, and lilies. They increase in size after rainfall and attract a variety of bird species. Billabongs, small pools of water that form next to rivers after heavy rain, are unique freshwater habitats found in Australia. The Murray River, the Derwent River, and the Katherine River are some of the large rivers in the country.
On the other hand, marine regions, including estuaries and the ocean, have higher salt concentrations. Australia boasts one of the most renowned marine biomes in the world: the Great Barrier Reef. The reef is the largest coral reef system globally and is considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It is so vast that it forms its own distinct biome, characterized by a diverse array of plant and animal species. The Great Barrier Reef ecosystem is home to over 400 coral species and 1500 species of tropical fish. Additionally, it provides breeding grounds for humpback whales and habitats for endangered species like the Sea Cow and the large Green Sea Turtle.
Other aquatic biomes in Australia include the tropical savanna, which stretches across northern Australia from Broome to Townsville, featuring dense grass and scattered trees. The country also has alpine and subalpine ecosystems, covering about 11,000 square kilometres and providing habitats for unique species like Baw Baw frogs and Red-necked wallabies. These ecosystems are of significant natural value and contribute billions of dollars to the nation's economy.
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Alpine biome
Australia is a large nation, covering 2,941,300 square miles, with over 21,000 miles of coastline. It is often considered the largest island on Earth. Due to its size and geographic location, Australia consists of 40 ecological regions within eight different terrestrial biomes.
One of these biomes is the Alpine biome, which is found in the Australian Alps. The Australian Alps are a mountain range in southeast Australia, straddling the borders of eastern Victoria, southeastern New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory. The range comprises an area of 1,232,981 ha (3,046,760 acres) and is the highest mountain range in Australia, with the only peaks exceeding 2,000 m (6,600 ft) in elevation. The highest peak is Mount Kosciuszko, at 2,228 m (7,310 ft).
The Australian Alps consist of two biogeographic sub-regions: the Snowy Mountains, including the Brindabella Range, located in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory; and the Victorian Alps, located in Victoria. The latter region is also known as the "High Country". The Australian Alps are unique in that they were not formed by two continental plates colliding, unlike many other high mountain ranges such as the Rockies, the European Alps, or the Himalayas. Instead, they consist of a high plateau, with softer rolling hills spread across a long, wide plateau that was lifted thousands of feet up by the movement of magma when Gondwana began to break up between 130 and 160 million years ago.
The Alpine and sub-Alpine ecosystems of the Australian Alps are diverse and unique. The climate, landforms, and soils vary with increasing altitude, creating a variety of environments that support different plant communities. These plant communities, in turn, provide habitats for a wide range of wildlife. The Australian Alps are important for conservation, recreation, and as a water drainage basin. The natural ecology of the range is protected by large national parks, including the Kosciuszko National Park in New South Wales and the adjoining Alpine National Park in Victoria. These parks are managed cooperatively as the Australian Alps National Parks by agencies of the Australian government and the state governments of this region.
The Australian Alps also contain the only skiing areas on mainland Australia. The region has a long history of cattle grazing, and there are roughly 120 active alpine huts, many of which date back to the early days of cattle grazing and skiing. These huts are now used by fly fishers, hikers, and skiing groups throughout the year.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is comprised of eight different terrestrial biomes and 40 ecological regions. However, it does not have high-altitude grasslands or steppes.
Australia has a variety of biomes, including grasslands, woods, forests, tundra, desert, and Mediterranean woodlands.
Australia has 40 Worldwide Fund for Nature-designated terrestrial ecoregions. Some examples include the Eastern Australian Temperate Forests, the Southeast Australia Temperate Forests, the Tasmanian Temperate Forests, and the Queensland Tropical Rainforests.
Human activity has had a significant impact on the biomes in Australia. For example, the timber industry and agriculture have contributed to deforestation and the conversion of land for crops and livestock grazing. Additionally, cattle grazing in the Alpine National Park has negatively affected the region's sustainability and fire safety.
