Leslie Massey
Australia is a country of diverse landscapes, from scorching deserts to snow-capped mountains, pristine beaches, and lush rainforests. The country is one of the largest in the world by land area and boasts a wealth of biodiversity. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has identified 40 terrestrial ecoregions in Australia, classified by biome type, including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, grasslands, savannas, shrublands, and tundra. These ecoregions encompass the contrasting environments found across the continent, such as the Australian Alps Montane Grassland, the Great Barrier Reef, and the ancient Gondwanan Forests.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Worldwide Fund for Nature-designated ecoregions | 40 |
| Biome types | Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, temperate grasslands, savannas, shrublands, tundra |
| Number of freshwater ecoregions | 10 |
| Major habitat types | Tropical and subtropical coastal rivers, temperate coastal rivers, temperate floodplain rivers and wetlands, and xeric freshwaters and endorheic (closed) basins |
| Examples of ecoregions | Eastern Australian Temperate Forests, the Southeast Australia Temperate Forests, the Tasmanian Temperate Forests, the Australian Alps Montane Grassland |
| Biodiversity | 65% of Australia's fern species, 36% of mammal species, 50% of bird species, superb parrot, Mackays burrowing skink, red goshawk, Baw Baw frogs, Red-necked wallabies, western ringtail possum, brush-tailed phascogale, southern brown bandicoot |
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What You'll Learn
Tropical and subtropical coastal rivers
Australia is a country of diverse landscapes, from hot deserts to snow-capped mountains, pristine beaches, and dense rainforests. The country is home to a variety of biomes, including grasslands, tundra, tropical and subtropical forests, and coastal rivers.
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has identified 40 terrestrial ecoregions in Australia and its dependent islands. These ecoregions are geographically distinct plant and animal communities, defined by geology, soils, climate, and predominant vegetation. One of the major habitat types, or biomes, identified by the WWF in Australia is tropical and subtropical coastal rivers.
ARs are a major source of mean and extreme rainfall over Australia, particularly in the agriculturally important Murray-Darling Basin region. The intensity of ARs in the tropics and subtropics is driven by wind speed, while in the extratropics, moisture availability plays a larger role. The interaction of these weather systems with the unique geography and climate of tropical and subtropical coastal rivers in Australia creates a distinct ecosystem that supports a diverse range of plant and animal life.
The rivers in this ecoregion are also known for their high salinity levels, dryland ecology, and variable rainfall regimes. Over 70% of rivers in Australia are non-perennial, meaning they do not flow continuously throughout the year due to a combination of ancient landscapes, dry climates, and human interventions. The management of water resources in these rivers is a critical issue, as it impacts not only the environment and biodiversity but also the livelihoods of people living in these regions.
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Alpine biome
Australia is a country of diverse landscapes, from hot deserts to snow-capped mountains, pristine beaches, grasslands, and dense rainforests. The country is one of the world's largest by land area and is home to some of the largest deserts globally. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has identified 40 terrestrial ecoregions in Australia, classified by biome type, including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, grasslands, savannas, shrublands, tundra, and freshwater ecoregions.
The Australian Alps, located in the southeast region of the country, are a significant alpine biome. This mountain range comprises two biogeographic sub-regions: the Snowy Mountains in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, and the Victorian Alps in Victoria, also known as the "High Country." The Australian Alps are unique in that they consist of a high plateau with softer rolling hills spread across a long, wide plateau, formed by the movement of magma during the breakup of Gondwana millions of years ago.
The Australian Alps are important for conservation, recreation, and as a water drainage basin. The range includes Australia's highest mountain peaks, with some exceeding 2,000 meters (6,600 feet) in elevation, and is the only bioregion on the mainland that experiences deep snowfall annually. The natural ecology of the Alps is protected by large national parks, such as Kosciuszko National Park in New South Wales and the adjoining Alpine National Park in Victoria, collectively known as the Australian Alps National Parks. These parks are managed by Australian government agencies and state governments.
The Australian Alps are a popular destination for skiing and hiking, with the ski season typically lasting from June to October. The range also includes the Australian Alps Walking Track, a 655-kilometer (407-mile) long-distance walking trail that traverses the alpine areas of Victoria, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory. The Alps are home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, including the Mountain Pygmy-possum, Alpine She-oak Skink, Corroboree Frogs, and Alpine Silver Xenica Butterfly.
The region has faced challenges, including bushfires that have impacted over 573,000 hectares of the Alpine region. The Australian government has invested millions of dollars in the recovery of native wildlife and their habitat in the Australian Alpine environment, focusing on weed control, fire management, and improving habitats for species affected by the fires.
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Grasslands
Hummock grasslands dominate the less fertile parts of Australia, mainly composed of spinifex or porcupine grasses. They are also known as "open woodlands" due to the presence of trees like acacia and eucalypt species. This type of grassland covers most of inland Australia.
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Tropical savanna
The vegetation of the ecoregion includes grasslands, open woodlands, and small patches of forest. Curly spinifex is the most common grass, with areas of tall Sorghum grasses in more humid areas of the uplands. The Gulf Plains, which lie south and southeast of the Gulf of Carpentaria, are mostly open grasslands of bluegrass. The southwestern Gulf Plains have a narrow belt of Eucalyptus and Melaleuca woodlands, with a grassy understory dominated by Chrysopogon fallax. The ecoregion includes the Wellesley Islands and Pellew Islands in the gulf, and several rivers that drain into the Gulf of Carpentaria.
The North Australian Tropical Savannas bioregion, located in the Australasia realm, consists entirely of tropical savannas covering the north of the continent, excluding Cape York in the north of Queensland. It contains six ecoregions: Arnhem Land Tropical Savanna, Carpentaria Tropical Savanna, Einasleigh Upland Savanna, Kimberley Tropical Savanna, Mitchell Grass Downs, and Victoria Plains Tropical Savanna. The Australian tropical savanna is an area of dense grass and scattered trees that stretch across northern Australia from Broome to Townsville.
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Tundra
Australia is a country of diverse landscapes, from scorching hot deserts to snow-capped mountains, dense rainforests, and pristine beaches. The country is home to a variety of biomes, including tundra.
The tundra biome in Australia is a unique and distinct ecosystem. It is located in the Antarctic islands of Macquarie, Heard, and McDonald, as well as on the Antipodes Subantarctic Islands, which are made up of five island groups. This tundra region is characterised by its cold and windswept climate, presenting a frozen desert landscape. The terrain is marked by grasslands and shrubs, with algae and lichen covering the rocks. The Cyathea tree fern is endemic to this region.
The Antipodes Subantarctic Islands, home to the Australian tundra, are devoid of native mammals, reptiles, or amphibians. However, these islands serve as a crucial breeding ground for seals, sea lions, and elephant seals. The tundra biome in Australia offers a stark contrast to the more commonly associated image of Australia's hot and arid desert regions.
The tundra biome in Australia is a result of the country's geographical location and size. Australia is one of the world's largest countries by land area, and its territory includes not only the Australian mainland but also Tasmania and numerous smaller islands. This vast expanse allows for the presence of diverse ecological regions, including the tundra.
The tundra biome in Australia is an important part of the country's natural heritage and contributes to its rich biodiversity. While it may not be as well-known as some of the other Australian biomes, it plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and supporting a variety of plant and animal life.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is a country of diverse landscapes, from hot deserts to snow-capped mountains and pristine beaches. The country is home to 40 distinct Worldwide Fund for Nature-designated ecoregions, each with its own unique mix of plant and animal life. Some of the major biome types in Australia include:
- Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests
- Temperate grasslands
- Savannas
- Tundra
- Alpine biome
- Tropical coastal rivers
- Temperate coastal rivers
- Temperate floodplain rivers and wetlands
Australia's biomes showcase a range of unique characteristics. For example, the Australian Alps Montane Grassland ecoregion is located at over 1,300 meters above sea level, resulting in a colder climate and unique plant life, including mountain ash and snow gum. The Australian tundra, located on the Antipodes Subantarctic Islands, is a frozen desert-like biome. Australia is also home to the ancient Gondwanan Forests, which cover a small percentage of the landmass but are incredibly biodiverse, housing 65% of Australia's fern species, 36% of mammal species, and 50% of bird species.
Australia's biomes face a range of threats, primarily from human activities such as deforestation, agriculture, and grazing. The Gondwanan Forests, for example, have suffered from deforestation to make room for crops and livestock grazing, and are currently threatened by invasive species. The Great Barrier Reef, one of the world's natural wonders, is also facing threats from human activities, including water extraction and misuse, which has led to hundreds of thousands of fish deaths.
Efforts are being made to protect and restore Australia's unique biomes. For example, the majority of the Australian Alps Montane Grassland ecoregion has been protected and has not suffered the same level of destruction as other regions. Additionally, Australia is taking steps to restore environments impacted by human intervention, such as Macquarie Island, which lies roughly halfway between Tasmania and Antarctica and is renowned for its natural beauty.
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