The main natural areas of Australia. Australia: natural areas. Methodical goal: to show the methods of creating conditions for the formation of theoretical knowledge and skills of systematization and structuring of educational material using individually differentiating

Australia, along with Africa, is a continent with a distinct natural zonality. When moving from north to south, natural areas of australia gradually change. This is due to a change in temperature, as well as a change 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 climatic zone live: wombats, kangaroos, marsupial anteaters. A large number of birds live along the shores of numerous lakes.

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 a length of 10-12 cm, and its weight does not exceed 100 grams.

The body color 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.

Main questions. What natural area occupies the largest area on the mainland? What is the difference between flora and fauna?

Australia amazes travelers with its colors. The colors of the mainland are dominated by red, brown, red tones. there is little green, blue, and even the sky, as if reflecting the hot earth, seems yellow. Red color also prevails in soils. Red ferrallitic soils, red-brown and red-brown desert soils are widespread. (Study the soil distribution map on the mainland.)

The fauna of Australia is exceptionally peculiar. Nature has created in Australia, as it were, a huge nature reserve. (Fig. 2) Animals very close to those that inhabited the Earth in ancient times have been preserved here. Among the Australian animals are especially interesting marsupials: kangaroo, wombat, marsupial mole, marsupial squirrels, etc. Young marsupials are born very small, and the mother wears them in a fold of skin on her stomach, as if in a bag.

stand out platypus and echidna. They are called "living fossils". The platypus and echidna hatch their young from eggs and feed them like mammals with milk.

natural areas. About half of the territory of Australia is occupied by deserts and semi-deserts. Australia ranks first among the continents in terms of the relative area of ​​deserts and the last in terms of forest area.

Zone humid and variable-humid equatorial forests situated north of 20°N Palm trees, laurels, and ficuses grow on red lateritic soils and red-yellow ferralitic soils. In the forests of the Great Dividing Range, the trees reach enormous heights, with many vines twining around them. Rattan palm, giant eucalyptus trees are striking. Ferns and orchids grow in the lower tier. thick rainforests characteristic of the entire eastern margin of the mainland. Eucalyptus is the symbol of Australia. There are over 300 species of eucalyptus. The foliage of some has a bluish or grayish tint, which gives them a special charm. Trees with powerful roots, like pumps, suck out moisture from great depths. Eucalyptus grows very quickly and reaches the height of a 200-year-old oak tree at the age of 35. Among them there are giants reaching 150 m in height. They almost do not give shade, as the leaves are edged to the rays of the sun. (Figure 1.2)

There are many climbing animals in the forests. Noteworthy are the tree kangaroo, marsupial bear (koala), which is nocturnal and feeds on eucalyptus leaves. Platypus with webbed feet and a flat beak settles along the rivers. Birds are very diverse - cassowaries, lyrebirds, budgerigars, birds of paradise, parrots. Weed chickens are endemic to Australia. Black swans live along the banks of reservoirs, having the largest number of feathers (up to 25,000) among birds. (Figure 2) ( Study the location of natural areas on the map.)

The forests are moving into savannas and tropical woodlands. In their appearance, they resemble parks and occupy a large area on the mainland. (Determine on the map what soils are in the savannah). Among the tall dense grasses rise eucalyptus, acacia, casuarina, bottle tree. Acacias with leafy petioles instead of pinnate leaves adapt to a wide variety of conditions. Often they can be seen under the canopy of eucalyptus forests and in deserts. A bottle tree with a thickened trunk makes the Australian savanna different from other continents. Withcrabs – thickets of hard-leaved, thorny, densely intertwined, sometimes completely impenetrable evergreen shrubs of eucalyptus and acacia.

In areas with large food supplies, kangaroos live. giant marsupials kangaroo reach 3 m in height. Relying on strong hind legs, they jump 8-10 m in length. At the same time, the variety of animal species is small: anteater, echidna, wild dog dingo, emu ostrich. Echidna looks like a hedgehog, the body is covered with needles. Echidnas are hunted for their tasty meat.

The savannahs are the main wheat growing areas in Australia. Large areas are occupied by pastures.

The vast expanses of the inner parts of the mainland are occupied semi-deserts and deserts. (Fig. 4) Small-leaved grasses grow on loose sands, reptiles, emu ostrich live. Lots of poisonous snakes, lizards, locusts. Peculiar prick Moloch, covered with huge spikes; numerous snakes asps. The most poisonous snakes on land are dangerous - taipan and tiger snake. (Show on the map the large deserts of Australia)

Hardwood forests and shrubs subtropical belt grow in the southwestern part of Australia on red and red-brown soils. In the Australian Alps it is expressed altitudinal zonality. In Australia, there were no plants that a person could grow, and animals that could be tamed. All cultivated plants and domestic animals were brought here from other countries.

The natural landscapes of Australia have changed significantly due to mining, deforestation and burning of forests, immoderate grazing of sheep on pastures. (Fig. 3) Importation of animals from other continents and uncontrolled hunting led to the destruction of a peculiar natural world. Rabbits caused great damage to natural vegetation. Now the reserves are expanding. In the largest protected natural complexes from eucalyptus forests to alpine meadows. The unique world of corals, a real miracle of nature, is preserved in the underwater park Great Barrier Reef. In order to protect the unique desert territories, the largest park has been created Great Victoria Desert.

Ecological problems. The natural landscapes of Australia have changed significantly due to mining, deforestation and burning of forests, and immoderate grazing of sheep on pastures. The importation of animals from other continents and uncontrolled hunting during colonization led to the extermination of the original animal world of Australia, exacerbated the problem of its protection. Currently, the networks of reserves are expanding. In the largest National Park. Kosciuszko special attention is paid not so much to the conservation of rare plants and animals as to the protection of natural complexes - from eucalyptus forests to alpine meadows. The unique world of corals, a real miracle of nature, is preserved in the underwater park Great Barrier Reef. The most important problem in Australia is the protection of unique natural complexes of desert territories. For this purpose, the largest park on the continent has been created. Great Victoria Desert in the center of the country. Its area is over 2 million hectares. The country ranks fourth in terms of the area of ​​specially protected natural areas (570 thousand km 2).

Australia is a mainland of tropical deserts and semi-deserts with a predominance of endemics (from Greekéndēmos - local) - species of plants and animals characteristic only of this territory. There are few forests in Australia, their total area is only 6% of the mainland.

*one. Orally describe the features of plants and animals of the mainland, using the completed advanced tasks. 2. Compare the location of the natural zones of Africa and Australia. **3. Suppose you are going on a tourist trip to one of the natural areas of Australia. Make an itinerary with an explanation: 1) What places would you like to visit? 2) What items do you need to bring with you? 3) What would you like to bring back from Australia as a memento of your trip?

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 gives a brief description of all the natural zones of the mainland.

What is a natural area? Formation of natural zones

A natural (or physiographic) zone is a part of a geographic envelope, which is characterized by its own set of natural components and conditions. Any natural zone 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. Other factors also influence natural zonality (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 precipitation and extremely high evaporation. 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 a more humid zone of savannahs and tropical woodlands. In this natural area, the plant world is already much richer, but the lack of moisture is noticeable here as well.

The eastern outskirts of Australia, as you know, are occupied by a mountain system - the Great 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 is distinguished by its geographical features (soil, flora, representatives of the fauna).

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 gives a brief description of all the natural zones of the mainland.

What is a natural area? Formation of natural zones

A natural (or physiographic) zone is a part of a geographic envelope, which is characterized by its own set of natural components and conditions. Any natural zone 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. Other factors also influence natural zonality (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 precipitation and extremely high evaporation. 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 a more humid zone of savannahs and tropical woodlands. In this natural area, the plant world is already much richer, but the lack of moisture is noticeable here as well.

The eastern outskirts of Australia, as you know, are occupied by a mountain system - the Great 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 is distinguished by its geographical features (soil, flora, representatives of the fauna).

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, therefore, tropical deserts and semi-deserts, occupying half the area of ​​the mainland, have received the greatest development.

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 continent of deserts (Great Sandy, Great Victoria Desert, Gibson Desert, etc.). Tropical deserts and semi-deserts dominate the Western Australian Plateau in a tropical continental climate. 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, serving 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). Ayers Rock, a giant red sandstone monolith sacred to the aborigines, has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Uluru-Katayuta Park. The fabulous world of corals is protected in the underwater park of the Great Barrier Reef.

The Great Barrier Reef has the largest variety 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. Rising ocean temperatures due to global warming are causing coral bleaching and death.

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