Australia: flora and fauna.

Australia is so far away that it is difficult to obtain a complete picture of life in this country, the continent and on lands close to it.Features of Australian nature is such that there are many common animals and plants, of which we have very few people know.It attracts interest in the study of local nature.Endemic species of animals and plants - are the famous Australia.Flora and fauna it so unique that some species are found only here.

Brief

millennia, the nature of Australia was in its own way of development.Distance from other continents has led to the fact that here almost no imported new flora and fauna that make the local natural environment is absolutely unique and absent in other continents.This is the most remarkable and important feature of Australian nature.In addition, after reading the Old World with the continent most of the animals remained endemic, that is, lives exclusively in these areas under certain conditions.

unique forests and trees of Australia

Plants of this continent for centuries were forced to adapt to difficult environmental conditions.So, within the country the soil is particularly dry, which makes difficult cultivating plants love moisture, so most of the flora grows here, which easily tolerate drought.Much of the plant is different dimmed, due to lack of water.For example, most species of Eucalyptus.But surprisingly, in the coastal areas of the country are thriving bamboo thickets and other moisture-loving plants.

most green continent is known for its pandas and eucalyptus groves, that live there.It is not surprising, because a large part of the continent is covered with such forests.Total in Australia there are almost three thousand species of eucalyptus!In addition, the continent is rich in green acacias, of which there occurs no less than a thousand varieties.For this area is characterized and other trees that are found on other continents, except in the botanical gardens.For example, there is quite often seen tea tree, cypress pine, or even incredible for Europe mangroves.

Trees of Australia, as well as other vegetation are distinguished by their originality.The third most common genus is considered to be Greville.It has about two hundred species.There are common fern, although they only grow in the humid mountain forests.

Not only the city of Sydney's attractions.On the continent there are tropical rainforests, where you can meet huge vines and palm trees.Much more often savannas and savanna forests, which is famous for Australia.Flora and fauna are highly dependent on seasonal changes.During the wet season, the savannah full of local plants of all colors and sizes, which bloom in unison, creating a real beds.It can often be found in eucalyptus and other trees with a thick stem, which can be a long time to maintain moisture reserves.Northern Australia with its flowery savannas smoothly into the western and eastern, and these regions are much drier.

With decreasing water levels in the soil and vegetation changes.The closer to the east, the less are the forests and savannas, the sparse vegetation.As a result, close to the arid regions can meet the so-called skreby - shrubs and low trees, which is not enough moisture.In central Australia is the smallest level of humidity, which makes it extremely unfavorable area for plants.

little about animals

Everyone knows that the mammals are marsupials are considered a symbol of Australia and Oceania.This is not surprising, given the fact that they are here, there are 140 species.The most popular and common among them - it's koalas, kangaroos and wombats.Kangaroo also depicted on the emblem of the country-continent.In addition, Australia is the only habitat for egg-laying mammals such as the platypus and echidna.Half of all species of birds living here are also endemic.

in Australia can boast of such rare birds as the black swan and a small penguin.Despite the fact that they are not so common, there are still likely to encounter rare animals under natural conditions.However, some representatives of flora and fauna green continent is better not to meet.For example, venomous snakes, the number of which Australia is a leader in the world.And with the crocodiles, which are often found in swampy areas is also better to miss.Natural areas

Australia

table shows what areas can be divided continent for the dissemination of flora and fauna.Even considering the above that the Australian nature is unique, from the continent still has a similarity with the fauna of South America, Asia and even Antarctica.

Natural areas of Australia (table only describes the basic characteristics) differ in representatives of fauna and flora.For more information you can read them below.

Australian natural area consists of one hundred and fifty species of marsupials.They are well distributed in almost the entire continent.Other natural areas of the continent formed under the influence of both geographical features and historical development, it is excellent fossils prove Australia.For example, there are significant differences between some species of animals from the eastern and western regions.This is due to the fact that a few thousand years ago, these regions were separated by the sea.In the northern and eastern part of New Guinea and the area often encountered different types of climbing animals, especially koalas.This widespread animal lives in the woods, spending most of the day in trees, feeding on a variety of leaves.Often you can also meet the opossum and tree kangaroos.

Animals

widespread is lower mammals that have managed to survive, as opposed to the higher - the second on the continent represented exclusively volatile and normal mice.This is due to the fact that during the period of distribution of the continents access for them to the green continent proved ordered.Other vertebrates are also mainly endemic.In river areas can meet the platypus, pereponchatolapoe animal that produces food in the water.

birds in tropical forests can meet a huge number of birds of all colors and sizes.The so-called bird of paradise - a hummingbird, honey plants, Lyrebirds - however quietly coexist with weeds chickens - Australia's unique for a European rarity.

But residents of Australia for some reason, do not be surprised that the chicken instead of brooding buries them in the garbage.In here you can find abundant waterfowl species.Furthermore, in Australia there are Siberian birds that go there to winter.Here you can meet and some flightless birds such as emus and parrots herbal.On a visit to Australia, and other fly species from the northern hemisphere.

Insects

For wet forests of northern and eastern parts of the continent characterized by some kind of familiar insects.For example, ants, butterflies.In the northern part of the continent, you can even meet with worms, the length of which may be several meters.

Kangaroo

Speaking of the green continent, a special place should be given, of course, kangaroos, which are known to Australia.Flora and fauna is most favorable to them in the northern and central part of the country in these regions may be a good idea to feed the animals, so they are home to many species.Kangaroo gather in herds.In the case of danger, they make jumps whose length can be up to ten meters in length of the animal up to three meters.The rocky and covered with scrub areas home to a variety of wallabies.During the twentieth century the population of kangaroos greatly reduced, to a greater extent this is due to human activities and the destruction of the animals, to a lesser - predators.

dingo

Not only marsupial mammals are a symbol of Australia.There is also a dangerous beast that kills these marsupials - dingo.The size of a small animal that is particularly endurance.In pursuit of prey dingo can run for many hours, until the victim decides to give up, so it overcomes the kangaroo.The animal is able to go very far for food.Most dingoes is near Lake Eyre, where they can be away for many tens of kilometers in the pursuit, or in search of food.

Not only kangaroo gets from this animal.Many species of fauna civilians suffered from them.Features of Australian nature is such that because of the increase in the population of wild sheep dogs is no longer as profitable as before.On the mainland of the continent have been attempts to cross this kind of a family dog, but widespread new breed has not received a new species lives mainly in the national park on the island of Fraser.

Echidna

One of the most famous national endemic animals - a viper.The animal is covered with needles, lays eggs in a bag, where it bears.Echidna is mostly nocturnal in order to avoid hazards.

Nature New Zealand

Although New Zealand is a country separate from Australia, their natural areas are closely connected.Extinct Animals Australia preserved here.Besides the kangaroo, an animal in this area is almost not found, but here you can find an incredible variety of birds.The hallmark of the birds of New Zealand natural zone - terrestrial life.However, dangerous animals are almost never found.

Pests and Problems

At its difficult path of development, which took place Australia, flora and fauna, with all its rare representatives often found themselves in danger.The Europeans brought new animals to the continent, which eventually became wild and harm native species.The real scourge for some time been rabbits.Globalization is also bad for the development of nature, the city of Sydney and other major cities with a lot of factories harm rare and unique species of animals that continue to disappear from the face of the Earth.

hazards for human flora and fauna

addition to these dingoes and kangaroos, which can attack the person will feel if danger in Australia, there are a couple of reasons to stay alert.For example, as mentioned above, snakes, of which there are a huge number of species.Many of them are very treacherous and dangerous.

In addition, it is often possible to meet with spiders, snakes are even worse.However, they are not always poisonous.Often you can notice here and ants that can deliver a lot of troubles.In wetter areas there are mosquitoes, and ticks, which has long been famous for Australia.The flora and fauna here can and rejoice, and to hide the danger.Fear is, and some marine species, such as sharks, which are quite close to the shore.Also dangerous animals, you can encounter and not the most pleasant plants.For example, rosyankovidnymi though for humans, they are not dangerous.There are quite rare.

Come to Australia

all the incredible local animals and plants are an excellent reason to visit this distant continent.It hides a lot of mysteries, but that's what attracts fans to solve them.Exploring the beautiful animals that can be found in Europe, not even in every zoo, leave no one indifferent, well, who can not fall in love with the baby-panda chewing bamboo?

Black Swans, koalas and eucalyptus centenary with a pleasant climate, the coast and the beautiful spa town - only the smallest part of the reason to come enjoy the local beauty.The charm of the Australian nature is impossible to convey in words, it must be seen in person to fall in love once and for all.