Australian Biomes Notes

Australian Biomes

Refer to Chapter 2.8, pages 28-29.

Access additional resources at http://www.sciencesource2.ca/resources/FLTBIOMESMAP.SWF.

Australia’s Main Biomes

Terrestrial Biomes

  • Savanna (Grasslands)
  • Forests (Old growth forests)
  • Desert

Aquatic Biomes

  • Wetlands and rivers
  • Seagrass meadows

Variety of Biomes in Australia: Reasons

  • Australia covers a large geographical area.
  • Australia has a variety of climate zones.
  • The combination of large geographical area and varied climate zones results in a diverse range of biomes.

Climate Definition

Prevailing (average) weather conditions in an area, determined by:

  • Rainfall
  • Temperature
  • Location (e.g., in relation to lines of latitude like the Equator)
  • Topography (landscape/geography)

Climate's Effect on Biomes

(Further exploration through provided URLs:

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7DLLxrrBV8
  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MN L5C
  • http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/mapping/interactive-map/?ar a=1
  • http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/mapping/interactive-map/?ar a=1&theme=Temperature+-+Year&c=0%7C0&sf=180000000)

Linking Climate and Biome in Australia

(Interconnections - Pair Work Activity)

  1. Refer to the climate zone map (Slide 11) and compare it with the map of Australian biomes (Slide 12).
  2. Identify which climate zones have only one biome and which have two or more.
  3. Draw conclusions from this data:
    • Some climate zones can support multiple biomes.
    • Some biomes can exist in more than one climate zone.
    • Climate can influence a biome.
  4. Determine the relationship between climate and biome.
  5. Record information in workbook and share.

Australian Biomes and Climate Zones

Based on the map provided, Australia includes locations such as Darwin, Weipa, Kalumburu, Katherine, Kowanyama, Halls Creek, Cairns, Broome, Tennant Creek, Port Hedland, Normanton, Mount Isa, Townsville, Telfer, Mackay, Alice Springs, Longreach, Newman, Giles, Rockhampton, Birdsville, Carnarvon, Oodnadatta, Charleville, Wiluna, Brisbane, Marree, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Cook, Ceduna, Bourke, Port Augusta, Coffs Harbour, Perth, Dubbo, Esperance, Port Lincoln, Mildura, Sydney, Adelaide, Canberra, Horsham, Melbourne, Warrnambool, Orbost, Cape Grim, St Helens, Strahan and Hobart.

The major classification groups are:

  • Equatorial
  • Tropical
  • Subtropical
  • Desert
  • Grassland
  • Temperate

Biomes of Australia (Sheri Amsel, www.exploringnature.org)

  • Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands
  • Deserts and Dry Shrublands
  • Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
  • Temperate Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands
  • Mediterranean Forest, Woodlands, and Scrub
  • Temperate Broadleaf and Mixed Forest
  • Montane Grasslands and Shrublands