3.1.1 Australia Pre History Flashcards
Define pre history
Before humans settled
Before Indigenous Australians
Climate Variation
Define
Describe
Example
Changes in climate Driest habitat on continent Large areas desert/ arid lands Significant in development of flora/ fauna Evolved/ adapted/ endured Eg. Ice ages, periodic warming events
El Niño
Cold/ dry Warm body water drifts to South America Dry conditions across NE Aus Drought, bushfire, decrease air quality Cool water temp
La Niña
Warm/ wet
Warm body water near us
Rainfall, flood
Warm water temp
ENSO
El Niño Southern Oscillation (Side to side)
Warm water= evaporates quicker= more rain
Geological stability
Placed in middle of indo-Australian plate Low tectonic/ volcanic activity Earthquakes are rare Result in poor soil Difficult for flora to grow Tough plants evolved Eg. Eucalypts Flat landscape
Biological isolation
Separation of Australia- Antarctica 50mil years ago
Flora/ fauna lost ability interact other species
Dominance marsupials, mammals
Eg. Koala, kangaroo
Plant adaptions
Eg. Eucalypts, banksias, wattles
Grey/ dull leaves- Plants have less chlorophyll, require less energy
Leaves hang down- Hide midday sun, morning/ evening sun time, manage water loss
Toxins in leaves- Eucalypts are poisonous, kolas evolved to consume only
Evergreen- Saves plants energy, don’t have to regrow after winter
Picture plant- Traps insects in nectar, breaks down to gain nutrients
Animal adaptations
Nichè ecosystems- Live in specific environment
Eg. Baw Baw frog
Koala- Eats eucalypts, result in small brain, energy efficient
Wombat- only marsupial that lives in burrow to keep cool, nocturnal, energy efficient
Kangaroo- Hops, retains energy previous jump, minimum energy
Hold an embryo for months, wait for drought to break before giving birth
Nocturnal
Pouch to carry young, continue to move
