Aus Outdoor Enviro. Before Humans Flashcards
What are the three characteristics?
- biological isolation
- geological stability
- climatic variation
If relationships is in a question you should respond with?
- perceptions
- interactions
- impacts
How long ago did Aus breakaway from Antartica?
50 million years ago
How did biological isolation affect Aus flora and fauna?
- There was no way species could mix, compete or relate with any other (besides on Aus soil)
- left alone to evolve
What type of animals dominated Aus?
Marsupials such as the koala and kangaroo
What is an example of fauna affected by biological isolation?
Water rats adapted into the new species of platypus due to less diversity in their breeding partners
Why is the soil quality poor in Australia?
Its in the middle of a tectonic plate, therefore no earthquakes, volcanoes or glaciers have changed the shape for 200 million years
How have plants adapted to the Australian landscape?
- grey dull leaves
- leaves hang down
What are examples of geological stability?
- eucalyptus dominate
- koalas eat eucalyptus leaves to cater for lack of nutritional value, they adapted to be the only animal to be able to eat it
What is La Niña?
Warm body of water that bounces between Aus and South America. When wrap water is near Aus it leads to rainfall (floods) due to increased evaporation
What does El Niño result in?
Less rain due to less evaporation (drought)
What are some features of drought?
Species develop strategies to conserve or reduce water requirements
What are some features of plants in bushfires?
Plants fuel and also adapt to fires (fermentation often occurs eg. Eucalyptus, mountain ash, banksia)
What are some features of floods?
Leads to bird migration, to use new wetland areas
Why have plants adapted to have grey or dull leaves?
Less chlorophyll/ less energy
Why have Aus plants adapted to have hanging leaves?
Less midday sun so they don’t lose too much water, but still get light in morning and evening
How have wombats adapted to climatic variation?
They live underground to keep cool
How have kangaroos adapted?
95% of the energy from the first hop is retained for the following hop
What are the possible causes of the extinction of megafauna?
Indigenous Australians, ice age, introduction of dingos
What does the perception of worship mean?
Protection and connection to the land
What does the perception of worthship mean?
Land is perceived based on its value and ability to provide resources, food and provide a profit
What is the purpose of fire stick farming?
- burn undergrowth
- flush out animals
- burn grass
Why does burning grass through fire stick farming help the enviro.?
Allows new grass to grow back and attracts animals
What does flushing out animals by fire stick farming result in?
Easier hunting
