Nature of Australia

Australia’s unusual fauna and flora is due to the continent having been isolated for millions of years. Continental drift tore Australia away from Africa and Antarctica and sent it on a 45 million year journey northwards. The original mammal passengers on this journey were the marsupials and egg layers ( the monotremes). About 15 million years ago, as Australia drifted closer to Asia, rodents floated and bats flew over the sea to become the first placental mammal colonists. The journey north combined with global cooling to dry Australia out and give rise to its characteristic drought and fire-resistant plants.

Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………..…3
1 Geographical features of Australia……………………………………………………………….5
Physical geography of Australia………………………………………………………………..5
Relief of Australia……………………………………………………………………………....5
Climate………………………………………………………………………………………….5
2 Fauna of Australia………………………………………………………………………………...6
2.1 Origins…………………………………………………………………………………………..6
2.2 Mammals………………………………………………………………………………………..6
2.2.1 Monotremes and marcupials………………………………………………………………….7
2.2.2 Placental mammals…………………………………………………………………………...8
2.3 Birds……………………………………………………………………………………………8
2.4 Amphibians and reptiles………………………………………………………………………..9
2.5 Fish………………………………………………………………………………………….....10
2.6 Invertebrates…………………………………………………………………………...………11
2.7 Invasive species………………………………………………………………………………..12
3 Human impact and conservation…………………………………………………………...........12
3.1 The conservation Council of Western Australia………………………………………………13
3.2 The conservation Council of South Australia…………………………………………………13
Сonclusion………………………………………………………………………………………...15
Literature………………………………………………………………………………………….16