physical geography australia. essential questions how have australia’s location, climate, and...
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PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
Australia
Essential Questions
How have Australia’s location, climate, and natural resources affected where people live?
How have Australia’s location, climate, and natural resources impacted trade?
Key Terms
Marsupial- an animal that carries its young in a body pouch
Coral- a rocklike material made up of the skeletons of tiny sea creatures
Geyser – A hot spring that ejects a column of water into the air.
Tectonic plate- a large piece of the Earth’s crust
Location! Location! Location!
What does the location mean?
Located in Southern hemisphere (south of the Equator): seasons opposite of those in the U.S.
Located in the Eastern hemisphere
Far from large landmasses So what does this mean?
Unique Environment
Plants & Animals unique to the region.
Biologically unique- Marsupials (Almost all mammals are marsupials in Australia)
Kiwi & Yellow-eyed Penguin
Marsupials
Why So Unique??
Tectonic Plates: Australia & Oceania are part of the
Indo-Australia plate. Once part of large landmass that
included Antarctica. Moved NW in Pacific Ocean
Wild life slowly changed, b/c islands are isolated these living things did not spread to other regions
Where do people live in Australia?
Most Australians live along Australia’s E & SE coasts This plain has most
fertile farmland & receives ample rain
Moist winds from the PO bring rain & mild pleasant climate
Presence of the Murray & Darling rivers
Great Dividing Range
W of GDR is rain shadow.
People depend on wells for fresh water
Outback: desert & grassland
Great Barrier Reef
Great Barrier Reef
Tourism – The business of providing tours and services for tourists.
Great Barrier Reef
1. Located in the Coral Sea –NE Australia
2. Includes 2600 individual reefs, 900 islands, and an area of 133,000 square miles.
3. Became known to Europe in 1770-Captain Cook
4. # 1 destination for tourism, especially scuba divers
5. Cities along coast offer daily trips
Who takes care of the GBR?
GBR Marine Park Authority
Australian Government manages reef: zoning, management plans, permits, education used to conserve GBR
1981 selected as World Heritage Site
2004, GBR Marine Park became largest protected sea area in world.
Great Barrier Reef
Environmental Concerns
1. RunoffSeveral major cities along NE coast. Large areas of coastal lands have been used for
agricultural & pastoral purposes. Sediment & chemical runoff from farming Loss of coastal wetlands which are natural filter Results in 400 of 2600 reefs are within risk zone were
water quality has declined Crown-of-Thorns starfish natural predator of
corals, dramatic increase in species caused by decreased water quality
Crown-of-Thorns Starfish
Environmental Concerns cont. . .
Global Warming
Many corals living at upper edge of temp. tolerance.
This can lead to Coral Bleaching Corals release photosynthesizing cells- turn white If water doesn’t cool down w/in a month, coral dies
Also brings about more violent tropical storms
Environmental Concerns
2. Coral Bleaching
Many corals living at upper edge of temp. tolerance.
Corals release photosynthesizing cells-turn white If water doesn’t cool down w/in a month, coral dies Brings about more violent tropical storms
Coral Bleaching