The natural areas of Australia are many deserts and few forests. Australia Large natural and economic complexes of Australia

The exceptional originality and antiquity of the flora and fauna of Australia is explained by its long isolation. Most plant species (75%) and animals (90%) of Australia are endemic, that is, they are not found anywhere else in the world. There are few mammals among the animals, however, species extinct on other continents, including marsupials (about 160 species), have survived. Characteristic representatives of the Australian flora are eucalyptus (600 species), acacia (490 species) and casuarina. The mainland did not give the world valuable cultivated plants.

Australia is located in four geographical zones - from subequatorial to temperate. The change in natural zones is due to changes in temperature and precipitation patterns. The flat nature of the relief contributes to a well-defined, disturbed only in the east. The main part of the continent lies in tropical latitudes, That's why greatest development received tropical deserts and semi-deserts, occupying half the area of ​​the mainland.

The central parts of the mainland in two geographical zones (tropical and subtropical) are occupied by deserts and semi-deserts. Australia is rightly called the desert continent (Great Sandy, big desert Victoria, Gibson Desert, etc.). On the Western Australian Plateau in tropical conditions continental climate dominated by tropical deserts and semi-deserts. In stony and sandy riverbeds, thin forests of casuarinas stretch along the riverbeds. In the hollows of clayey semi-deserts, there are thickets of quinoa and salt-tolerant species of acacia and eucalyptus. Deserts are characterized by "pillows" of bushy cereal spinifex. Soils of semi-deserts are gray soils, deserts are primitive stony, clayey or sandy.

In the south of the mainland in the subtropics, deserts and semi-deserts occupy the Nullarbor plain (“treeless”) and the Murray-Darling lowland. They are formed in a subtropical continental climate on brown semi-desert and gray-brown soils. Against the background of dry rare cereals, wormwood and saltwort are found, tree and shrub vegetation is absent.

The shortage problem is the most acute in Australia. Previously, it was solved by pumping groundwater from numerous wells. But at present, a decrease in the water level in artesian basins has been recorded. The depletion of underground water reserves, along with a decrease in the full flow of rivers, has exacerbated the shortage of water in Australia, forcing the implementation of programs to conserve it.

One of the ways to preserve nature is the creation of specially protected natural areas. They occupy 11% of the area of ​​the continent. One of the most visited is the Kosciuszko park in the Australian. In the north is one of the largest parks in the world - Kakadu, where not only wetlands are taken under protection, which serve as a habitat for many endemic birds, but also caves with Aboriginal rock art. In the Blue Mountains Park, stunning mountain landscapes with a variety of eucalyptus forests are protected. The nature of deserts has also been taken under protection (parks Great Victoria Desert, Simpson Desert). object world heritage Ayers Rock, a giant red sandstone monolith sacred to the Aborigines, has been recognized by UNESCO in Uluru-Katayuta Park. fairy world corals are protected in the underwater park of the Great Barrier Reef.

In big barrier reef there is the greatest diversity of corals on the planet (up to 500 species). The threat, in addition to pollution of coastal waters and poaching, is the polyp-eating starfish crown of thorns. Temperature increase ocean waters Due to global warming, corals are bleaching and dying.

The main feature of the animal and plant world of Australia is the predominance of endemics. Australia is the most deserted continent. Global, exhaustion water resources, depletion of flora and fauna pose a threat to the nature of the mainland. specially protected natural areas occupy 11% of the area of ​​the continent.

Australia has a well-defined landscape zonality. Natural areas gradually replace one another as temperature and precipitation patterns change. This is facilitated by the flat nature of the relief of the mainland and the absence of distinct orographic boundaries on it.

The main part of Australia lies in tropical latitudes, therefore natural zones of the tropical zone are widespread on the mainland. Among them, the most developed areas tropical deserts and semi-deserts. In the north, semi-deserts are replaced by zones of savannahs, light forests and shrubs.

In the south, the zone of tropical deserts is framed by the zone of subtropical deserts. In the southwest, a zone of Mediterranean dry forests and shrubs is developed, in the southeast - a zone of wet subtropical forests.

Along the windward slopes of the Great Dividing Range stretch forest zones tropical and subtropical zones.

Thus, in tropical australia natural zones are located in semi-concentric arcs around the zone of tropical deserts, which occupies the extra-arid regions of inland Australia.

In sub tropical zone the zones extend submeridianally, and their set is quite wide (from east to west): the zone of humid subtropical forests, forest-steppes and steppes, semi-deserts and the Mediterranean.

In Australia, all types of soils are common, characteristic of the equatorial-tropical space and subtropical geographic zone. In the region of humid tropical forests in the north and especially in the northeast, red-yellow ferrallitic soils and their differences along the slopes of the ridges are developed.

In moist savannas, they are replaced by red ferrallitic soils, and in drier places by red-brown soils. Tropical black soils formed on the weathered lavas of the Great Dividing Range, and mountain-meadow varieties formed in the Australian Alps. Primitive soils of tropical deserts, often saline, are also widespread. In semi-deserts, under thickets of thorny bushes and low-growing trees with small leathery foliage, red-brown soils are developed.

In the southwest of the mainland, brown and gray-brown soils predominate. And in the forests of the southeast, brown and yellow-brown forest soils are common.

The flora of the mainland belongs to the Australian plant kingdom. The beginning of the formation of the flora refers to the Mesozoic. From the middle cenozoic era Australia was isolated from other continents. On the territory of Australia, there were 2 centers of flora formation: Western and Eastern, between which there was a sea before the beginning of the Anthropogen. Currently, there are more endemics in the east (New South Wales) and northwest (Queensland). In the flora of the west and east of the mainland, only 10% of the species are common.

The first feature of the Australian flora is its antiquity, a high percentage of endemics. Australia is the birthplace of eucalyptus trees, there are 600 species of them, phyloid acacias - 280 species, casuarina (desert oak) - 25 species.

The second feature of the flora is its strong xerophytic character.

The third feature - Australia gave few cultivated plant species.

Australian floristic kingdom. It includes Australia and the neighboring island of Tasmania, as well as some small islands. The Australian kingdom occupies a completely isolated position. It is separated from the rest of the land by more or less extensive maritime spaces.

The flora of Australia is very rich (about 15 thousand species), extremely original, original and contains many ancient plants. The original core of the flora arose as a result of the transformation of elements of the ancient flora common on the Gondwana continent.

Australia has very high endemism at all levels. There are more than 10 endemic families here (family Cephalotidae; 1 insectivorous species herbaceous plant whose trapping shells resemble small jugs). From other families: brunonium, davidsonium, tremander, biblid, acanium.

There are 570 endemic genera. Among them are several large genera from the Proteaceae family: Hakeya, Verticordia, Conospermum, etc.

The species endemism of the Australian flora is very high. The proportion of endemic species in general reaches 75-80%.

There are many characteristic families in the Australian flora. Among them, one can name, first of all, the Proteaceae family (most of the species of this family - more than 700 are concentrated here). Rosa Grevillea, Hakeya, Banksia. Representatives of this family have a very peculiar, often bizarre appearance.

There are many representatives of the myrtle family in the Australian flora. Species of the genus Callistemon attract attention with their original bright red fluffy cylindrical inflorescences (they look like a bottle brush).

Eucalyptus, the most characteristic genus of Australia, also belongs to the myrtle family. There are about 600 species of eucalyptus here. Most of them are trees, but there are also shrubs. Almost all eucalyptus trees are evergreens. life forms eucalyptus trees are very diverse, for example, the height of the giant eucalyptus is 100 m, its root system goes into the ground at 30 m. The leaves of most eucalyptus trees, located edge to sunlight, form a crown that does not shade the soil. However, many eucalyptus trees have the normally arranged foliage and crown of our hardwoods. The bluish-green foliage of eucalyptus gives (even to the evergreen subtropical forests of southeast Australia) a somewhat lifeless flavor, they do not have the bright and fresh coloring of European forests.

No less characteristic of the landscapes of the mainland are acacias (the legume family) - there are 500 species of them, or half of the species of this genus on Earth.

Acacia grows in a wide variety of conditions: both in humid forests and in deserts. Up to half of the species of Australian acacias have phyllodes, that is, the petioles have taken the form of leaves (flat green petioles various forms instead of true leaves). Acacia evergreens. Their inflorescences usually look like small fluffy yellow balls and consist of extremely small individual flowers, almost invisible to the naked eye. These are false mimosas, from which they are distinguished by a greater number of stamens.

One of the reasons for the peculiarities of the flora of the Australian kingdom is the absence of some widespread plant families and larger taxa on other continents. There are no horsetails, bamboos, representatives of the apple subfamily, Rosaceae, heather, begonia, valerian, tea families. This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as "defective flora".

Wet rainforests- kingdom of dicotyledonous plants. They are most luxurious between 14-19°S. Their luxuriously developed foliage forms a dense forest tent that shades the soil. characteristic feature The tree species of this forest are plank-shaped roots (buttresses) that support the trunk of the plant, as well as caulifloria, that is, the development of flowers and inflorescences on trunks and old branches.

The forests of Queensland contain many Malayan types, namely: figs, pandanuses, palms, aroyniki and many epiphytic ferns and orchids (the southern border of the distribution of palms - July temperature is + 25 ° C). The Malayan character of the flora is especially pronounced in the northernmost region on the Cape York Peninsula, where many genera can be found that are absent in the rest of Australia, namely, pitcher plants (cycads); palms of the genus karyota (areca); creepers (buttercup, lily (wild pepper), rattan); epiphytes (ferns).

Among the most remarkable Australian trees are conifers from the genus Araucaria. Some species in Queensland form significant forests.

The coastal region of New South Wales has almost the same type of vegetation as South Queensland, but tropical species are becoming less abundant, and the number of species of true Australian genera such as acacias and eucalypts is greatly increased. However, tropical rainforests, with tall palm trees, tree ferns and lianas, still retain a typically tropical appearance.

In New South Wales, as elsewhere in Australia, there are many representatives of the Proteus family, which reach their maximum development on the mainland. The most common genera are banksia, hakeya. Banksia are trees with stiff, toothed leaves and large, elongated flower heads.

Farther from the coast, dense rainforests are replaced by sparse eucalyptus forests with an undergrowth consisting of a variety of small trees and shrubs. All of them have a more or less pronounced xerophytic character.

In Australia deciduous tropical forests almost not represented. Tropical seasonally arid areas are occupied by eucalyptus and acacia woodlands. During the dry season, the well-developed grass cover dries up, but the eucalyptus retains its green foliage.

With further aridization, acacias with phyllodes, that is, with extended leaf petioles that perform the function of photosynthesis, are more and more noticeable.

Casuarinas with green young shoots and reduced tiny leaves also become landscapes. These shoots photosynthesize. Outwardly, they look like pine needles. The similarity with conifers is complemented by the peculiar “cones” of casuarina. However, these plants belong to one of the oldest representatives of the dicot family.

In the northeast of the mainland, dry acacia woodlands turn into groups that are characterized by the presence of various low-growing trees with swollen thick trunks of brachychitons (bottle trees). Under the canopy of trees, a shrub layer grows densely, there is no grass cover. But numerous bulbous and tuberous, including many beautiful orchids (there are also terrestrial ones) and lilies, present in the spring, together with an abundance of brightly flowering shrubs, a magnificent picture.

In interior areas, relatively moist, stretched savannas - Australian grasslands (grassy country). In the land of grasses, the trees, with their grey-green foliage, are scattered alone. Eucalyptus trees are mixed with acacias Mulga and Glakuchia, as well as casuarina, and in the northwest, peculiar “bottle trees” with a thick trunk that store water in the tissues. Scorched during the dry season, the soil of the savannahs after the first rain into an ocean of fresh grassy vegetation, agitated by the wind, like grain fields.

Here, kangaroo grass, alang-alang, bearded man, bluegrass, Mitchell grass and other grasses, bearing high plumes, rise, serving as excellent fodder for herds of sheep and cattle.

Vast areas of inland Australia (mainly watersheds) are covered with scrub thickets, consisting of thorny, densely intertwined, sometimes completely impassable evergreen shrubs. Eucalyptus scrub - malli scrub consists mainly of low-growing species of eucalyptus and is distributed in the south-west of Australia, to the southern part of the Murray basin. The thickets have a dead gray-green color. Malli scrub leaves are stiff and stand on edge (they do not give shadows). The soil under the scrub is covered with rare bunches of dry-loving cereals. This scrub is brightened up only by a variety of immortelle from Compositae.

Much more impassable and even dangerous for the traveler is the “mulga scrub”, consisting of continuous thickets of thorny acacias, reaching 4 m in height. This is a typical scrub of the desert zone of Australia, where no more than 250 mm of precipitation falls per year. It occupies vast areas to the north of the distribution of malli scrub. Interspersed with other plant associations, scrub mulga extends from western Australia to the region of the eastern lowland endorheic plains. It has almost no grassy cover, gray saltwort occasionally grows under it.

In the eastern part of the mainland, between the 20th and 33rd parallels, they are interspersed with light eucalyptus forests of the so-called Brigalow Scrub- low forests, consisting of acacias with silver-bluish foliage, to which low eucalyptus trees are mixed.

The expanses of the Great Sandy Desert, the rocky and sandy Gibson Desert and the monotonous sandy Victoria Desert are covered with bushy thickets of spinifex - a holly, prickly grass, the stems of which break away from the soil, forming wind-borne "tumbleweeds". Spinifex, growing on loose sands, fixes them. Thickets of this grass, rising in bushes up to 0.5-1.5 m in diameter, due to thorny leaves, sometimes make it extremely difficult to move in deserts. In the west, the triodia cereal is common. Species of the genus Triodia have very strong and prickly needle-shaped leaves and grow in the form of rather large rounded cushions. These plants are called "grass-hedgehog".

Subtropical deserts of Australia: spinifex and triodium. The Nullarbor Plain in the south of the mainland in the subtropical zone, as the name itself indicates (“treeless”), has absolutely no tree vegetation. The soil is covered with quinoa bushes or saltworts, forming an open cover, reaching 1-1.5 m in height. This is the so-called saltwort shrub or blue shrub, as it has a bluish tint. This vegetation is readily eaten by sheep.

In the driest regions of Australia, HD rains are rare and not confined to any particular season of the year; the haze family. 2 semi-shrubs dominate - quinoa bubble And cochia stonecrop. Either one or the other plant usually forms pure thickets. Kochia grows best in areas with a wetter climate. Due to its greenish-blue color, the plant has received the local name "blue bush".

The vegetation of the south-west of Australia - the Mediterranean zone - is the edge of endemics. It is dominated by light forests of eucalyptus, herbaceous tree (xanthorrhoea), casuarina and protea.

In the wettest areas, the forest is formed eucalyptus multicolored, which bears the local name "curry". This tall tree(up to 70-80 m) with a loose crown and a variegated trunk (orange-pink spots are scattered on a grayish-white background). The curry forest is very light, bushes grow luxuriantly under the trees, and a dense herbaceous cover develops on the soil.

In drier areas, the forest is dominated by eucalyptus bordered, or "jarra", which is also called "mahogany". Its height is much less - usually 15-40 m (maximum 40 m). It is predominantly an endemic forest: 82% of the plants that form its undergrowth are found nowhere else. There are no palm trees in these forests. They are especially rich in species of proteas (376 species), which give bright, varied colors of flowers that adorn these forests. In the eucalyptus forests of southwest Australia, there is a wide variety of acacias and members of the Proteaceae family, especially various species of the genus Banksia.

not uncommon here and grass trees. Characteristic representatives of the undergrowth of these forests are such arboreal lily ( Xanthorhoea). It has a dense dark lignified stem from 6 to 9 m in height, on which a bunch of narrow and long coarse grassy leaves exceeding 1 m in length rises. The inflorescence (ear) reaches 3 m in height. Western Australia is characterized by an abundance of beautiful ground orchids, typical Australian genera, many types of sundews.

It is noteworthy that most of the trees and shrubs of the local forest can only propagate by seed after fires. Thus, the woody fruits of banksia, which have fallen to the ground, open only after exposure to fire, and herbaceous trees do not bloom until such time as the fire has passed.

In Australia humid subtropical forests located in a narrow strip on the southeastern coast of the continent and in the lower belt of the mountains of the Great Dividing Range (up to a height of 1200 m). Various types of eucalyptus trees are abundant in these forests. Some of them are like eucalyptus almond, reach a height of 70-80 m; other species up to 150 m, with a trunk diameter of 10 m.

Trees of the genus have a lower height eugenia australis, fan palm, southern levistona.

The plant life inside the eucalyptus forest is extremely rich. There are many tree ferns (their greenery is patterned, bright, fresh), including the bearded thodea. Trees of the lower tiers are often intertwined with vines.

The trunk and branches of eucalyptus trees are covered with epiphytes, among them it is striking fern antler , part of the wide fronds of which look like bowls, where humus and rainwater accumulate. Many epiphytes bloom with bright colors, such as orchids.

Antarctic species already take part in the formation of the vegetation cover of Tasmania. Here, too, eucalyptus trees form the main plant background; it is precisely some of these species that have been transferred to Europe. Of the Antarctic species, there are evergreen southern beech and conifers (phylocladius, rhodocarpus). These forests are decorated with tree ferns - which are an essential element of the vegetation cover of Tasmania. On the trunks and branches of trees there are thickets of epiphytes, evergreen mosses and ferns. Flowering epiphytes are almost absent

Exceptionally original animal world Australia. The fauna of the mainland is also distinguished by great antiquity and endemism and has a pronounced relict character (90% of them are found only in Australia). However, the diversity of animal species is small. They form Australian faunistic region. The most characteristic fauna of Australia - a wide distribution of low-organized mammals: monotreme, or cloacal (family platypuses and echidnas); marsupials.

Marsupials gave an extraordinary variety of convergent (having similar characteristics) species corresponding to the biological types of higher mammals (marsupial predators, rodents, climbers, insectivores, herbivores). Especially numerous and diverse are kangaroos, which are greatly exterminated by man and the dingo dog, which came to Australia with a man and became wild.

Also characteristic couscous, marsupial bear koala, marsupial wombat, mole, badger and anteater. The fauna of reptiles and insects is peculiar in Australia.

Of birds endemic Australian emu, cassowaries, weed (big-legged) chickens, honey plants; also live lyrebirds, various parrots, variegated and brightly colored birds of paradise.

Australian crocodiles and turtles are found in the reservoirs. Lots of different snakes and lizards.

Bibliography.

1. Physical geography of continents and oceans: tutorial for stud. higher ped. textbook institutions / T.V. Vlasova, M.A. Arshinova, T.A. Kovalev. - M.: Publishing Center "Academy", 2007.
2. Mikhailov N.I. Physical-geographical zoning. M.: Publishing House of Moscow State University, 1985.
3. Markov K.K. Introduction to physical geography M.: graduate School, 1978

A characteristic feature of Australia is originality organic world, consisting in many endemic species. At the same time, it should be noted that the wild vegetation of Australia did not give a single plant that would play a significant role in agriculture. Among plants, the share of endemics reaches 75%. These are casuarinas with leafless filamentous branches, and a herbaceous tree, and tree ferns, there are also many types of acacias, palm trees, various herbs and shrubs.

Australia is absolutely inconceivable without evergreen giants - eucalyptus trees, of which there are more than 300 species - from gigantic (up to 150 m tall) to undersized and shrubs. Eucalyptus och it grows fast. In 20 years, one hectare of eucalyptus forest can produce up to 800 m 3 valuable timber. For comparison, none of the known tree species can produce such an amount of wood even in 120 years. Despite the paradox - eucalyptus grows on the most arid continent, the most important property of this tree is its amazing ability drain the soil, which is why the eucalyptus is called the "pump tree". It is not surprising that under the eucalyptus, not only can you not meet another tree, you will not even see a blade of grass there.

Among animals, the share of endemics is even greater - about 90%. This is a symbol of Australia kangaroo, d other marsupials: an unusually cute marsupial bear -koala, wombat, mole, marsupial wolfand others. Such ancient animals as primitive oviparous mammals: platypus and echidna. There are a lot of different birds: emu, birds of paradise, cassowaries, lyrebirds, black swans, weed chickens, parrots, etc. The Australian world of reptiles is also rich: there are especially many poisonous snakes and lizards.

On the mainland natural areas are distributed in concentric circles. In the center - deserts and semi-deserts, they are surrounded by tropical forest-steppes - savannahs and light forests. The northern and northeastern parts of the mainland are characterized by wet and variable moist forests . Various types of palms, laurels, ficuses and tree ferns intertwined with vines grow here on red ferralite soils. On the eastern slopes of the Dividing Range, eucalyptus forests. Above 1000 m, you can find separate arrays of ancient coniferous species - araucaria.

IN savannas common species are eucalyptus, acacia and casuarina on red-brown and red-brown soils. Kangaroos and emus live here. In the extreme southwestshrub steppes are changing hardwood forests and bushes, in the southeast - subtropical humid mixed forests with evergreen beeches on red-yellow ferralite soils.

In semi-deserts and deserts you can find completely impenetrable thickets, consisting of hard-leaved thorny, densely intertwined shrubs (shrub forms of eucalyptus and acacia) - scrub s. In the western and central parts of the mainland large areas occupy sandy deserts - Big, Victoria, Simpson. They are characterized by long ridges, occupied by places high tough cereals ("reed grass"). Of the animals here, there are giant kangaroos, wombats, emus and the dingo dog, which is a feral domestic animal. In deserts, the soil cover is poorly developed, in some places special desert soils are formed, painted in red.

altitudinal zonality can be found only in the Australian Alps, where on the tops of the forest are replaced by alpine-type meadows.

Due to the arid climate in Australia, there are far fewer plowed areas than pastures. However, grazing loads in many areas of the mainland are so great and intense that they have led to a noticeable change in its flora and fauna. A lot of it was brought to Australia from other continents. different types trees, shrubs and herbs. Many introduced animals (foxes, rats, rabbits) pushed aside or severely exterminated local animal species. Almost every year, Australian forests are severely affected by numerous fires.

Australia, along with Africa, is a continent with a distinct natural zonality. When moving from north to south, natural areas of australia gradually change. It is related to the change temperature regime, as well as changes in the amount of precipitation.

Woodlands and savannahs of Australia correspond. On ferrallitic red soils, as well as on red-brown soils, not only grasses grow, but also eucalyptus, acacia, bottle trees, as well as casuarina - shrubs and trees with thread-like branches without leaves. Due to the fact that small branches of this plant fall off during the year, a needle-like cover forms under them, hence the similarity of this plant with coniferous trees.

In the east of the continent, humid and variable-moist tropical forests are located, this is due to the conditions of uniform moisture. Eucalyptus, palm trees, ficuses, etc. grow there. In this climate zone inhabited by: wombats, kangaroos, marsupial anteaters. On the shores of numerous lakes lives a large number of birds.

The largest area, of course, is occupied by deserts and semi-deserts. In this zone, there are scrubs - these are thickets of dry shrubs, and undersized thorny acacias. Eucalyptus and small-leaved grasses can also be found in this area. Some areas of the desert, which are covered with spinifex - an evergreen perennial hard grass, and shrubs, are used as pastures. giant kangaroos, echidnas and a large number of reptiles.

In the south of the mainland there are subtropical forests, in which the most part is occupied by evergreen beech, eucalyptus, etc.

The most are deserts. It is here that an amazing animal lives, Australian spiked lizard- Moloch. The second name of Moloch is “prickly devil”. Its peculiarity is that the whole body, from the nose to the tip of the tail, is covered with powerful spikes. With a threatening appearance, the size of the lizard is very small, it reaches 10-12 cm in length, and its weight does not exceed 100 g.

The color of the body of the Australian spiked lizard can change depending on external conditions. This happens for disguise, and the spikes to some extent serve the same purpose. If the predator manages to notice the lizard, it can swallow a large amount of air and swell up like a ball covered with large spikes. Such a transformation often scares off predators, which allows the lizard to survive.

The natural areas of Australia (grade 7) are one of the most interesting topics in school geography. After all, this continent, despite its small size, is characterized by a very rich natural diversity. This article is given a brief description of all natural areas of the mainland.

What is a natural area? Formation of natural zones

A natural (or physiographic) zone is a part geographical envelope, which is characterized by its own set of natural components and conditions. Any natural area includes a number of structural components, namely:

• climate features;
• landforms;
• inland waters;
• soil;
• flora and fauna.

All these components are in close interaction with each other, and in each of the natural zones the nature of these connections will be different.

The main factor that influences the formation and distribution of natural zones on the planet is the ratio of received moisture and heat. This ratio will be different depending on the latitude of the area. On natural zonality other factors also influence (for example, the nature and complexity of the relief, proximity to the ocean, etc.), but the key factor is still the climatic one.

Each of the continents of our planet has its own set of natural zones. Australia is no exception here. The natural zones of this continent, namely their distribution, differ significantly from the sublatitudinal one. The reason for this is the small size of the mainland, as well as the presence of a powerful and elongated from north to south mountain system in the east of the continent of Australia.

The natural zones of the mainland, as well as their territorial distribution, are displayed on the following map:

Natural areas of Australia: table

In order to visualize the physical and geographical zoning of Australia, we bring to your attention the following table.

Australia: natural areas and their brief description

The largest area in Australia is the zone of deserts and semi-deserts, located in the tropical zone. This zone is characterized by low quantity rainfall and their extremely high volatility. Therefore, the vegetation of the Australian deserts is very poor. Quite often one can observe here extensive salt crusts covering large areas.

To the east, the zone of deserts and semi-deserts is replaced by more wet zone savannas and tropical woodlands. In this natural area vegetable world already much richer, but the lack of moisture is noticeable here.

The eastern outskirts of Australia, as you know, occupies mountain system- Big Dividing Range- the most important landscape barrier on the mainland. It was on its slopes that two natural forest-type zones were formed. Between the 15th and 28th degrees of the south latitude there is a zone of evergreen forests, and to the north of the 15th degree there is already a zone of permanently wet forests. Altitudinal zonality on this continent is clearly visible only in the Australian Alps.

Finally

So, we found out that within the smallest continent of the planet, four natural belts are distinguished.

The natural zones of Australia are the zone of permanently wet forests, the zone of evergreen hardwood forests, the zone of savannahs and light forests, as well as the zone of deserts and semi-deserts. Each of them has its own geographical features(soil, flora, representatives of fauna).