1.1.2

Question 1

Alipine

Answer 1

The highest parts of the Alps are treeless, being dominated instead by grasses, shrubs and other
small flowering plants. As the altitude drops, we find an environment dominated by eucalyptus trees,
the snow gums, and below them the ash trees.
The diversity of plant types provides habitat for many different animals, including over 40 species
of mammals such as Burramys parvus

Location: Mount Bogon
Endangered animal: Mount pigyme possum
The climate of the Alps is harsh, often being covered by snow for more than a third of the year,
suffering hot and dry summers, and being subjected to high winds and regular major fire events.
In Victoria, the Alps are protected in many parks including the Alpine National Park (the largest
national park in the state), Baw Baw National Park, Mount Buffalo National Park (one of the oldest
protected areas in Australia) and the Avon Wilderness Park.

Question 2

Grasslands

Answer 2

In Victoria, grasslands are found across the western part of the state (in the Western Victorian Volcanic
Plains), as well as to the north of the state and in some parts of Gippsland. Grasslands are dominated
by grasses and other small plants such as herbs and wildflowers. Trees are either not found at all or only
in small numbers, often as a result of fertile but rocky soils and low rainfall.
The native grasslands in Victoria support some very rare animal species, including the eastern
barred bandicoot and the striped legless lizard.
Grasslands were often kept free of trees through persistent burning from Indigenous communities,
and when the Europeans arrived in the 1700s and 1800s they recognised that these places were very
suitable for a variety of agricultural practices including cropping and grazing. This has meant that
Victoria’s grasslands are now particularly threatened.
A number of protected areas include significant grasslands across Victoria: Terrick Terrick National
Park (near Echuca), and the Derrimut Grassland and Craigieburn Grassland nature conservation
reserves (both in Melbourne).
Location: western victoria
Animal: Barred bandicoot

Question 3

Coastal and marine

Answer 3

environment is a difficult place for life. Wind,
large waves and constant salt spray create a wide
variety of landforms and put dune systems, cliffs
and shorelines under ongoing pressure.
Grasses and small shrubs and trees dominate
the coastal flora, including saltbush, tea-trees and
moonah trees. Birds are common in coastal areas,
including oystercatchers, shearwaters, penguins
and the highly endangered orange-bellied parrot.
The Victorian coast includes many iconic places such as Port Campbell, Wilsons Promontory and
The intricate features of the Victorian coast shelter
a wide variety of plants and animals.
Croajingolong national parks, as well as French Island and Phillip Island, and Gippsland and the surf
coasts.
The marine environment beyond Victoria’s coasts include an enormous range of habitats, such as
reefs, kelp forests, mudflats and seagrass beds. The many marine national parks and marine sanctuaries
preserve these and other marine ecosystems.
Ensagered animal: Coastal orange bellied parrot