Vous êtes sur la page 1sur 2

Australian Flora:

1. Adaption and Evolution of Australian Plants


Australia used to be covered with mostly rainforest many millions of years ago but as it
began to drift northward these rainforests started to die out due to fires, changing climate
and changing soils. By the time the Europeans had arrived rainforests were only left around
the east coast. During the time Australia’s conditions changed much of the flora adapted
and even started to require some of these changes.

Protective Bark: the bark of much of the adapted flora became very thick
and heat-resistant so that parts of the tree could be protected, e.g.
epicormic buds.

Epicormic Buds: Epicormic buds are protected underneath the bark, and
whenever defoliation occurs, the buds are released to provide the necessary
energy to photosynthesize until the plant has recovered. This is great adaption
which makes survival in the Australian climate much easier.

Lignotubers: A lignotuber is very similar to an epicormic


bud in the way that is releases energy to photosynthesize
after the plant has died. One major difference between
the two though is that lignotubers are found often under the ground.
They are all though more vulnerable to fire because they do not have
the bark to protect them.

Woody Seed Pods: Seeds of Australian plants are stored


either on the plant or either in the ground. Much of these
seeds will not germinate until a fire has passed through meaning that their
parent plant has died. The ones found on the plants are more capable of
resisting fire whereas the ones underground can be affected more by fire.

2. Dependence on Fires
Some species of flora have even become dependent on fires for survival. Many
plants with woody seed pods need a fire to enable their seeds to drop and
then land on the ground as so they can germinate.
Australian Fauna:

1. Unique Fauna Found in Australia


There are many Australian species that can be found nowhere else in the world. This is due
to the continent being separated from other landmasses when it broke up with Gondwana
and having a unique climate which the fauna adapted to. Animals that could not cope with
the climate change or were affected by the practices of the aborigines or Europeans have
eventually become extinct. Such as, the Tasmanian Tiger, the Tasmanian Emu, Haast’s Eagle,
Gastric Brooding Frog, Norfolk Island Monitor Lizard Tamar Wallaby, Desert Bandicoot and
many more. Here are some of the unique species found in Australia today and their special
characteristics:

Koala: The koala has thick fur which is waterproof and can also
adapt depending on the temperature. Another adaption is the
pouch, where the young is kept. It also has a large nose with a great
sense of smell. The most unusual and amazing adaption is that the
koala has two opposable thumbs on its front legs and only one on its
hind which help it too climb along with the sharp claws.

Platypus: The fur of the platypus traps a layer of air to keep it warm.
The tail is used to store fat reserves and it has webbed feet which
are used to swim. The snout is a sensory organ to help guide the platypus
as its eyes are shut whilst swimming.

Kangaroo: The kangaroo is a marsupial and so therefore the female


has a pouch to keep its young in. They have large powerful hind
legs and feet which are used to leap and a long tail for balance.
They have adapted in this way so they can move large distances
without wasting much energy.

Emu: Emus are flightless birds that have small wings and long legs.
They can run up to 48km/h due to having gastrocnemius muscles on
their lower legs; this is found in no other animal. The coat is acts as an
insulator by keeping out the heat as so they can stay active during the
day.

2. Adaption and Evolution of Australian Animals


Australia’s fauna has evolved due to unusual and harsh climate conditions and lack of food
and nutrition. These animals have been isolated from animals of other continents for
around 55 million years and so are more pre-historic in some ways and more unusual due to
different climate conditions.

Vous aimerez peut-être aussi