Description of the natural zone of the desert and semi-desert of Australia. natural areas

Deserts and semi-deserts are waterless, dry regions of the planet, where no more than 25 cm of precipitation falls per year. The most important factor their formation is the wind. However, not all deserts have hot weather, some of them, on the contrary, are considered the coldest regions of the Earth. Representatives of flora and fauna have adapted to the harsh conditions of these areas in different ways.

How do deserts and semi-deserts arise?

There are many reasons for the formation of deserts. For example, there is little rainfall because it is located at the foot of the mountains, which, with their ridges, cover it from rain.

Ice deserts formed for other reasons. In Antarctica and the Arctic, the main snow mass falls on the coast; snow clouds practically do not reach the interior regions. Precipitation levels generally vary greatly, for one snowfall, for example, an annual norm can fall. Such snow drifts form over hundreds of years.

Hot deserts are distinguished by the most diverse relief. Only some of them are completely covered with sand. The surface of most is littered with pebbles, stones and other miscellaneous rocks. Deserts are almost completely open to weathering. Strong gusts of wind pick up fragments of small stones and hit them on the rocks.

In sandy deserts, the wind carries the sand across the area, creating undulating sediments, which are called dunes. The most common type of dunes are dunes. Sometimes their height can reach 30 meters. Ridge dunes can be up to 100 meters high and stretch for 100 km.

Temperature regime

The climate of deserts and semi-deserts is quite diverse. In some regions, daytime temperatures can reach up to 52 ° C. This phenomenon is due to the absence of clouds in the atmosphere, so nothing saves the surface from direct sunlight. At night, the temperature drops a lot, again due to the lack of clouds that can trap the heat radiated from the surface.

In hot deserts, rain is rare, but sometimes there are heavy downpours. After rain, water does not soak into the ground, but rapidly flows from the surface, washing away particles of soil and pebbles into dry channels, which are called wadis.

Location of deserts and semi-deserts

On the continents located in northern latitudes, there are deserts and semi-deserts of the subtropical and sometimes also tropical - in the Indo-Gangetic lowland, in Arabia, in Mexico, in the southwestern United States. In Eurasia, extratropical desert regions are located in the Central Asian and South Kazakh plains, in the basin Central Asia and in the Near Asian highlands. The Central Asian desert formations are characterized by a sharply continental climate.

In the southern hemisphere, deserts and semi-deserts are less common. Here are located such desert and semi-desert formations as the Namib, Atacama, desert formations on the coast of Peru and Venezuela, Victoria, Kalahari, the Gibson Desert, Simpson, Gran Chaco, Patagonia, the Great Sandy Desert and the Karoo semi-desert in southwestern Africa.

The polar deserts are located on mainland islands near-glacial regions of Eurasia, on the islands of the Canadian archipelago, in the north of Greenland.

Animals

Animals of deserts and semi-deserts for many years of existence in such areas have managed to adapt to harsh climatic conditions. From cold and heat, they hide in underground burrows and feed mainly on underground parts of plants. Among the representatives of the fauna there are many types of carnivores: fennec fox, cougars, coyotes and even tigers. The climate of deserts and semi-deserts has contributed to the fact that many animals have perfectly developed a thermoregulation system. Some desert dwellers can withstand fluid loss of up to a third of their weight (for example, geckos, camels), and among invertebrates there are species that can lose water up to two thirds of their weight.

AT North America and Asia there are a lot of reptiles, especially a lot of lizards. Snakes are also quite common: ephs, various Poisonous snakes, boas. Of the large animals, there are saiga, kulans, camels, pronghorn, it has recently disappeared (it can still be found in captivity).

The animals of the desert and semi-desert of Russia are a wide variety of unique representatives of the fauna. The desert regions of the country are inhabited by sandstone hares, hedgehogs, kulan, dzheyman, poisonous snakes. In the deserts that are located on the territory of Russia, you can also find 2 types of spiders - karakurt and tarantula.

They live in polar deserts polar bear, musk ox, arctic fox and some species of birds.

Vegetation

If we talk about vegetation, then in deserts and semi-deserts there are various cactus, hard-leaved grasses, psammophyte shrubs, ephedra, acacias, saxaul, soap palm, edible lichen and others.

Deserts and semi-deserts: soil

The soil, as a rule, is poorly developed, and water-soluble salts predominate in its composition. The ancient alluvial and loess-like deposits predominate, which are reworked by the winds. Gray-brown soil is inherent in elevated flat areas. Deserts are also characterized by solonchaks, that is, soils that contain about 1% of easily soluble salts. In addition to deserts, salt marshes are also found in steppes and semi-deserts. Groundwater, which contains salts, when it reaches the soil surface, is deposited in its upper layer, resulting in soil salinization.

Completely different are characteristic of such climatic zones as subtropical deserts and semi-deserts. The soil in these regions has a specific orange and brick red color. Noble for its shades, it received the appropriate name - red soil and yellow soil. In the subtropical zone in northern Africa and in South and North America there are deserts where gray soils have formed. Red-yellow soils have developed in some tropical desert formations.

Natural and semi-desert - a huge variety of landscapes, climatic conditions, flora and fauna. Despite the harsh and cruel nature of the deserts, these regions have become home to many species of plants and animals.

The exceptional originality and antiquity of the flora and fauna of Australia is explained by its long isolation. Most plant species (75%) and animals (90%) of Australia are endemic, i.e., are not found anywhere else in the world. There are few mammals among the animals, but species extinct on other continents have survived, including marsupials (about 160 species) (see Fig. 66 on p. 140). Characteristic representatives of the Australian flora are eucalyptus (600 species), acacia (490 species) and casuarina. The mainland did not give the world valuable cultivated plants.

Australia is located in four geographical zones- from subequatorial to moderate. The change in natural zones is due to changes in temperature and precipitation patterns. The flat nature of the relief contributes to a well-defined latitudinal zonality, which is broken only in the east. The main part of the continent lies in tropical latitudes, therefore greatest development received tropical deserts and semi-deserts, occupying half the area of the mainland.

Rice. 66. Endemic animals of Australia: 1 - kangaroo; 2 - frilled lizard; 3 - emu ostrich; 4 - koalas; 5 - platypus; 6 - echidna

natural areas

In the subequatorial and tropical geographical zones, significant territories are occupied by savannas and woodlands . The zone covers the plain of Carpentaria and the Central Lowland in an arc. There are wet, typical and desert savannas, developing respectively on red, red-brown and red-brown soils. In subequatorial latitudes, they replace each other from north to south, and in tropical latitudes - from east to west as moisture decreases. The Australian savanna is an open grassy area of bearded vulture, alang-alang, with individual trees or groves of eucalyptus, acacia, casuarina and the moisture-storing Gregory's baobab ("bottle tree"). Thickets of low-growing thorny shrubs with small leathery foliage appear in the interior regions - scrubs, consisting of drought-resistant species of acacia, eucalyptus and casuarina (Fig. 67).

An integral part of the Australian savannas are marsupials - kangaroos (red, gray, hare, wallabies), wombats. Large flightless birds- emu, cassowary, Australian bustard. Chicks are bred in eucalyptus woodlands budgerigars. Termite mounds are ubiquitous.

In total, there are 60 species of kangaroo in Australia. In nature, they "replace" the missing herbivorous ungulates. Kangaroo cubs are born tiny and immediately move into the mother's pouch - a skin fold on her stomach, where they spend the next 6-8 months, eating milk. The weight of an adult kangaroo can reach 90 kg with growth up to 1.6 m. Kangaroos are champions in jumping: the length of jumps reaches 10-12 m, while they can reach speeds of up to 50 km / h. The kangaroo, along with the emu, is the national emblem of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Rice. 67. Acacia scrub 68. Spinifex desert on brown soils

The central parts of the mainland in two geographical zones (tropical and subtropical) occupy deserts and semi-deserts . Australia is rightly called the continent of deserts.(Large sandy desert, Great Victoria Desert, Gibson Desert, etc.). On the Western Australian Plateau in tropical conditions continental climate dominated by tropical deserts and semi-deserts. In stony and sandy semi-deserts along the riverbeds stretch sparse forests of casuarina. In the hollows of clayey semi-deserts, there are thickets of quinoa and salt-tolerant species of acacia and eucalyptus. Deserts are characterized by "pillows" of bushy grass spinifex (Fig. 68). Soils of semi-deserts are gray soils, deserts are primitive stony, clayey or sandy.

In the south of the mainland in the subtropics, deserts and semi-deserts occupy the Nullarbor plain (“treeless”) and the Murray-Darling lowland. They are formed in a subtropical continental climate on brown semi-desert and gray-brown soils. Against the background of dry rare cereals, wormwood and saltwort are found, tree and shrub vegetation is absent.

Animals of deserts and semi-deserts are adapted to life in conditions of high temperatures and a small amount of moisture. Some burrow underground, like marsupial mole, marsupial jerboa, kangaroo rat. Others, like the kangaroo and the dingo dog, are able to travel long distances in search of food and water. In the crevices of the rocks, lizards (Moloch, frilled) hide from the heat and the most poisonous land snake taipan.

On the windward moistened slopes of the Great Dividing Range in four geographical zones (subequatorial, tropical, subtropical, temperate), zones variable-moist forests . The northeastern margin of the continent under conditions monsoon climate occupied by subequatorial variable-humid forests. Palm trees, pandanuses, ficuses, and tree ferns grow in them on red-yellow ferralite soils.

South of 20°S sh. they are replaced by rich evergreens rainforests on krasnozems and zheltozems, formed under conditions of humid tropical climate. In addition to evergreen trees intertwined with lianas and epiphytes (ficuses, palms, southern beeches, silver tree), conifers appear - Australian cedar and Australian araucaria.

In the southeast of the mainland and the north of about. Tasmania they are being replaced by subtropical variable wet forests. On mountain brown forest soils, forests of mixed composition grow from equilyptus, southern beech, podocarpus, agatis and araucaria. On the dry leeward slopes of the Great Dividing Range, they give way to equilypt woodlands. Temperate forests occupy only the extreme south of about. Tasmania.

Eucalyptus is one of the symbols Australian continent. Its leaves, located edge to sunshine, form a shade-free crown. The powerful root system of the tree is able to get water from a depth of 30 m, so eucalyptus trees are planted to drain waterlogged areas around the world. The fast growing eucalyptus is used not only in woodworking, but thanks to essential oils- and in medicine.

In the extreme southwest of the mainland, in a Mediterranean climate, the zone dry hardwood forests and shrubs . Eucalyptus forests with xanthorea ("herbaceous tree") grow on yellow soils and red soils; towards the center of the mainland, they are replaced by scrubs.

The fauna of the Australian forests is richer. This is the kingdom of marsupials: tree kangaroo, marsupial squirrel, marsupial bear (koala), marsupial marten(couscous). In the forests, "living fossils" - the platypus and the echidna - found refuge. The world of forest birds is diverse: lyrebird, bird of paradise, cockatoo parrots, weed chickens, kookaburra. Lots of snakes and lizards (amethyst python, giant monitor lizard). Narrow-nosed crocodiles lie in wait for prey in the rivers. In the XX century. the marsupial wolf was completely exterminated.

Environmental problems

During colonization in Australia, about 40% of all forests were reduced, with tropical rainforests most severely affected. The deforestation has led to depletion of vegetation cover, soil degradation and changes in the habitat of animals. The rabbits brought by the colonists also caused damage to the local fauna. As a result, more than 800 animal species have become extinct in the last 500 years.

Global warming has an increasing impact on the nature of the continent. Droughts have become more frequent due to reduced rainfall and Forest fires. The rivers with a constant flow became shallow, and the drying ones stopped filling up even during the rainy season. This led to the onset of deserts on the savannas - desertification, aggravated by overgrazing, which affects 90 million hectares of land. In areas of the "wheat-sheep belt" land use is difficult due to salinization and soil erosion.

The most acute problem in Australia is the shortage water resources. Previously, it was solved by pumping groundwater from numerous wells. But at present, a decrease in the water level in artesian basins has been recorded. Underground depletion water reserves along with a decrease in the full flow of rivers, it exacerbated the shortage of water in Australia, forcing the implementation of programs to save it.

One of the ways to preserve nature is the creation of specially protected natural areas. They occupy 11% of the area of the continent. One of the most visited national parks is the park Kosciuszko in the Australian Alps. In the north is one of the largest parks in the world - Kakadu, where not only wetlands are taken under protection, which serve as a habitat for many endemic birds, but also caves with Aboriginal rock art. In the Blue Mountains Park, stunning mountain landscapes with a variety of eucalyptus forests are protected. The nature of deserts has also been taken under protection (parks Great Victoria Desert, Simpson-Desert). A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Uluru-Katayuta Park has recognized the giant red sandstone monolith of Ayers Rock, sacred to the natives (Fig. 69). The fabulous world of corals is guarded in the underwater park Great Barrier Reef.

In the Big barrier reef there is the greatest diversity of corals on the planet (up to 500 species). A threat other than pollution coastal waters and poaching, represents polyp-eating starfish"crown of thorns". An increase in the temperature of ocean waters due to global warming climate causes bleaching and death of corals.

Bibliography

1. Geography grade 8. Tutorial for the 8th grade of institutions of general secondary education with the Russian language of instruction / Edited by Professor P. S. Lopukh - Minsk "Narodnaya Asveta" 2014

Australia is located in the southern and eastern hemispheres of the planet. The world's smallest continent occupies only 5% of the Earth's land mass. The area of the continent with the islands is 7,692,024 km². The length from north to south is 3.7 thousand km, and from west to east - about 4 thousand km.

The coastline stretches for 35,877 km and is slightly indented. The waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria protrude into the territory of the northern coast of the continent, and the Cape York Peninsula protrudes noticeably against the background of the main coastline. The main bays are located in the southeast of Australia.

The most extreme points of the continent include:

in the north - Cape York, washed by the waters of the Coral and Arafura Seas;
in the south - Cape Saunt Point, washed by the waters of the Tasman Sea;
in the west - Cape Steep Point, washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean;
in the east - Cape Byron, washed by the waters of the Tasman Sea.

The largest island belonging to Australia is Tasmania. Its total area is 68,401 km². Off the northern coast are Groote Island, Melville and Bathurst, as well as the large Derk Hartog Islands to the west and Fraser Island to the east. Within the mainland shallows are the islands of Kangaroo, King and Flinders.

The Great Barrier Reef is a priceless natural monument located along the northeast line of the continent. It includes clusters of small underwater and surface islands, as well as coral reefs. Its length will be more than 2000 km.

In the north, west and south, Australia is washed by Indian Ocean and to the east the Pacific Ocean. In addition, the continent is washed by the waters of four seas: Timor or Orange, Arafura, Tasmanovo and Coral, which all year round attract tourists from all over the world.

Relief

Blue Mountains, Australia

The relief of Australia is dominated by flat areas. Mount Kosciuszko, 2228 m above sea level, is the highest point of the continent. The average height on the continent is 215 m. The Australian platform, which was once part of the ancient continent of Gondwana, is the foundation of the continent today. The basement area is covered by strata of marine and continental sedimentary rocks.

The modern relief includes the Western Australian Plateau, the Central Lowlands and the East Australian Mountains. As a result of the uplift and subsidence of the earth's crust, a trough filled with sedimentary rocks formed in the east of the Australian Platform. rocks. A large watershed range is located in the eastern part of the mainland. The mountains formed in have collapsed over time. Only the Australian Alps exceed the 2,000 mark. This is the only place on the continent where there is snow in places in shaded gorges.

There are no active volcanoes and earthquakes on the mainland. It is located in the center of the Australian plate, which saved it from seismically active faults at the boundaries of tectonic plates.

desert

Great Sandy Desert in Australia

Australia is the driest continent on earth. Desert zones make up 44% of the entire region. They are mainly located in the northwest of the continent. The largest deserts in Australia are listed below:

Great Victoria Desert

The largest area, which occupies 4% of the total area of the continent. Named after the British Queen. Part of the territory belongs to the natives. Agricultural activity is not possible due to lack of water.

Great sandy desert

It occupies an area equal to Japan. Due to the peculiarities of the climate, the sand forms high dunes. There is no permanent population. Precipitation does not fall every year, and there are no reservoirs.

Tanami Desert

A little-studied area in the north of the continent. There are shallow water basins, precipitation falls periodically. But due to high temperatures, moisture evaporates very quickly. There is gold mining in the desert.

Simpson Desert

The scarlet sands that roll over the area are famous among tourists. The region is named after an English geographer. In the 20th century, they searched for oil here to no avail. Today, the desert is popular with off-road enthusiasts.

Gibson Desert

Situated between the Great Sandy Desert and the Victorian Desert. There are several saline lakes on the territory. The state has created a reserve here for animals adapted to severe climatic conditions.

Small sandy desert

There are several lakes in the area. The biggest one is Disappointment. The water in it is unsuitable for drinking and household needs, although this did not prevent the natives from settling in the desert.

Desert Strzelecki

Named after the Polish explorer. Around the desert there are several villages whose population is engaged in agriculture. Located on the territory national park, which offers entertainment for fans of extreme tourism.

Inland waters

The main river system on the continent is the Murray River and its tributaries: the Darling, the Murrumbidgee and the Goulburn. total area is more than 1 million km². Due to low rainfall, most rivers dry up. The springs originating in the mountains of Eastern Australia and the rivers of Tasmania have a permanent outflow.

The largest lakes: Eyre, Gairdner, Frome and Torrens are located in the south. Most time they are pits covered with salt-bearing clays. On the southeast coast there are numerous lagoons separated by shallows from the sea. Freshwater lakes are located on the island of Tasmania. Great Lake is exploited for hydrotechnical purposes.

Australia has large reserves of artesian water. The total reserves of freshwater underground sources are about 3240 thousand km². However, they are deep, warm and often saline. The water is suitable for watering livestock, but unsuitable for farm use due to its high minerals. The large Artesian basin occupies 1751.5 thousand km². The development of agriculture on the mainland depends on it.

Climate

The continent is located in three climatic zones:

Tasmania is in temperate climate. Since Australia is located south of the line, winter starts from June and summer from December. Sudden temperature changes or extreme weather conditions not visible. From May to October it is always sunny, the air humidity is 30%. average temperature in winter period usually not lower than 13º C. A cold winter is considered when the thermometer drops to zero. Summer is a period of cyclones and thunderstorms, the air warms up to 29º C. On the southeast coast, the climate resembles. The coldest region of Australia is Tasmania. In winter, frosts occur there. In the central regions of the continent, slight temperature differences are observed.

Flora and fauna:

Vegetable world

The flora is quite peculiar and endemic, since Australia is located at a considerable distance from the rest of the continents. The climate is characterized by a sharp aridity, because of this, exceptionally viable plants dominate in nature. Trees have a powerful root system, which is adapted to suck water from a depth of up to 30 meters. In some plant species, the leaves are hard, leathery and turn away from the sun to avoid excessive evaporation. Dominated by eucalyptus bottle tree, palms and ficuses.

Represented by acacia and soddy cereals. In places where there is a lot of precipitation, the same eucalyptus trees grow, but accompanied by horsetails and ferns, as well as other plants characteristic of the Mediterranean climate. continents are small. The total area of green areas is 5% of the territory of Australia, including artificial plantations of pine and other softwoods. The colonists brought in European species of trees, herbs and shrubs. Grapes and cotton have taken root well, as well as fruit trees and vegetables. Corn, rye, oats, wheat and barley grow well on Australian soil.

Animal world

Since Australia was discovered later than other continents and developed separately, it is home to animals that are unique and are not found anywhere else in the world. There are practically no ruminants, ungulates and monkeys on the mainland. But there are a lot of representatives of marsupials: kangaroo; marsupial squirrel; ant-eater; Tasmanian devil; marsupial mouse. In total there are about 250 species. There are many bizarre animals: echidna, koala, platypus, frilled lizards. Among the unusual birds include lyrebirds and emus. By the number of dangerous representatives of the fauna of Australia, you can give the palm. It is better to stay away from the wild dog Dingo, cassowary, reptiles and spiders. The most dangerous animal, oddly enough, is considered a mosquito from the genus Kusaki. He is a carrier of dangerous diseases. Marine animals are also dangerous. Species of sharks, jellyfish and octopuses can pose a serious threat to people resting on the coast.

Minerals

The main wealth of the continent is considered, the potential of which is 20% higher than in the rest of the world. Australia has a lot of bauxite. Since the second half of the XX century. development began iron ore. In the west are deposits of polymetals. Gold is mined in the southwest of the mainland. Scientists have found that there are deposits in the bowels natural gas and oil. On the this moment research is underway.

Ecological situation

The country's economy is kept in high positions due to the extraction of minerals. Mining depletes the subsoil and destroys the topsoil. As a result, the area under Agriculture. Chronic water shortages have forced the government to create a series of bans. At certain times of the year, people are not allowed to water lawns, wash cars, or fill swimming pools.
At times cold war carried out throughout the country nuclear tests. This negatively affected the radiation situation. Maraling, the area where the tests were carried out, is still considered contaminated.

Modern uranium springs are located close to Spencer Gulf and Kakadu National Park. This worries the public: the precedent, when dirty water was poured into the reserve, has already been created. Aboriginal life depends on natural factors. As a result of the desertification of the continent, they have to leave their inhabited settlements forever. State and world famous public organizations make every effort to preserve the unique Australia and its. New nature reserves and national parks are being created.

Population

The first generation of colonists arrived on the mainland in 1788. At that time, Australia was a place of exile for lawbreakers. The number of the first settlers was just over a thousand people. As a result of forced immigration, the number of people has increased significantly. Australia ceased to be a place of exile for convicts in 1868. The influx of voluntary colonialists is associated with the development of cattle breeding and the discovery of mines.

Modern society does not remind of the difficult years of development and formation of the country. The population is 24.5 million people. In terms of population, the country ranks 50th in the world. The number of aborigines is 2.7%. Migrants most often have British, German, New Zealand, Italian and Filipino roots. Within the country there is a large number of confessions. official language considered Australian English. It is used by 80% of the population.

Population density differ in different regions. On average, no more than three people live per square kilometer. The southeastern coast of the mainland is most densely populated. Australia has a high life expectancy of the population, on average about eighty years. The process of rapid aging due to low birth rates, as in Europe, is not observed. Australians are still among the young nations.

The exceptional originality and antiquity of the flora and fauna of Australia is explained by its long isolation. Most plant species (75%) and animals (90%) of Australia are endemic, that is, they are not found anywhere else in the world. There are few mammals among the animals, however, species extinct on other continents, including marsupials (about 160 species), have survived. Characteristic representatives of the Australian flora are eucalyptus (600 species), acacia (490 species) and casuarina. The mainland did not give the world valuable cultivated plants.

Australia is located in four geographical zones - from subequatorial to temperate. The change in natural zones is due to changes in temperature and precipitation patterns. The flat nature of the relief contributes to a well-defined, disturbed only in the east. The main part of the continent lies in tropical latitudes, therefore, tropical deserts and semi-deserts, occupying half the area of the mainland, have received the greatest development.

The central parts of the mainland in two geographical zones (tropical and subtropical) are occupied by deserts and semi-deserts. Australia is rightly called the continent of deserts (Great Sandy, Great Victoria Desert, Gibson Desert, etc.). Tropical deserts and semi-deserts dominate the Western Australian Plateau in a tropical continental climate. In stony and sandy riverbeds, thin forests of casuarinas stretch along the riverbeds. In the hollows of clayey semi-deserts, there are thickets of quinoa and salt-tolerant species of acacia and eucalyptus. Deserts are characterized by "pillows" of bushy cereal spinifex. Soils of semi-deserts are gray soils, deserts are primitive stony, clayey or sandy.

The shortage problem is the most acute in Australia. Previously, it was solved by pumping groundwater from numerous wells. But at present, a decrease in the water level in artesian basins has been recorded. The depletion of underground water reserves, along with a decrease in the full flow of rivers, has exacerbated the shortage of water in Australia, forcing the implementation of programs to conserve it.

One of the ways to preserve nature is the creation of specially protected natural areas. They occupy 11% of the area of the continent. One of the most visited is the Kosciuszko park in the Australian. In the north is one of the largest parks in the world - Kakadu, where not only wetlands are taken under protection, which serve as a habitat for many endemic birds, but also caves with Aboriginal rock art. In the Blue Mountains Park, stunning mountain landscapes with a variety of eucalyptus forests are protected. The nature of deserts has also been taken under protection (parks Great Victoria Desert, Simpson Desert). Ayers Rock, a giant red sandstone monolith sacred to the aborigines, has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Uluru-Katayuta Park. The fabulous world of corals is protected in the underwater park of the Great Barrier Reef.

The Great Barrier Reef has the largest variety of corals on the planet (up to 500 species). The threat, in addition to pollution of coastal waters and poaching, is the polyp-eating starfish crown of thorns. Rising ocean temperatures due to global warming are causing coral bleaching and death.

The main feature of the animal and flora Australia - the predominance of endemics. Australia is the most deserted continent. Global, depletion of water resources, depletion of flora and fauna pose a threat to the nature of the mainland. specially protected natural areas occupy 11% of the area of the continent.

Beyond the most big deserts Australia - Victoria and Great sandy desert, on the territory of the Green Continent there are also other dry areas.

If you are interested in the deserts of Australia, then you worth knowing that the mainland has both tropical and subtropical desert areas. What are these dry zones?

The Gibson Desert is located in the center.

For the first time, Europeans visited this desert covered with rubble, unfavorable for agriculture. in 1874.

Despite harsh climatic and natural conditions people living in this area Australian Aboriginal Pintubi tribe.

This indigenous tribe of the mainland is one of the topics that preserved the traditional ancient way of life of the natives Green Continent.

Also, the Gibson Desert rich in animal world . Typical representatives of Australian animals live here - red kangaroo, marsupial badger, moloch lizard, grass wren and emu.

The marsupial badger also lives here, which previously inhabited 70% Australian territory, and today is on the verge of extinction. The main vegetation of the Gibson Desert is spinifex and acacia.

Simpson Desert

Simpson Desert, which is located in the heart of Australia- This is a protected zone of the Green Continent, on which the world-famous is located.

This body of water temporarily filled with water, fed from underwater Australian rivers and being home to many of Australia's animals.

live here ducks, eagles, gulls, Australian pelicans, kingfishers, budgerigars, pink cockatoos, swallows and other representatives of the avifauna of the mainland.

Also found here marsupial jerboas, desert bandicoots, marsupial mice and moles, dingo dogs, wild camels and kangaroo.

The flora of the Simpson desert is represented by drought-resistant grasses and thorns. Today in the desert there are a number of protected areas. Tourists come here to take off-road trips through the dunes.

Interesting fact! In the 19th century, they wanted to graze cattle and build settlements here, but the climate did not allow it. Also, the Simpson Desert was a disappointment for oil seekers who searched here in the 70s of the last century and did not find this natural resource.

Small Sandy Desert

The Little Sandy Desert is located in the west of the Green Continent. The flora and fauna, as well as the relief of this desert area, is similar to the characteristics of the Great Sandy Desert.

On the territory of the Lesser Sandy Desert is its the main watercourse is the Savory Creek River, which flows into Lake Disappointment located in the north of the desert.

Despite the rather harsh climate that the deserts and semi-deserts of Australia are famous for, tribes of the indigenous population of the mainland live here. The largest one is tribe Parnngurr.

The only way through the desert, namely the Canning cattle route, runs in the northeast of the Little Sandy Desert.

Deserts of Australia - Tanami and The Pinnacles

Another desert area of \u200b\u200bAustralia called Tanami, which is located in, has been explored more than the rest of the dry zones of the mainland. Europeans made expeditions here before 20th century.

The Tanami Desert is a rocky-sand dunes, the area of which 292,194 km².

The climate of Tanami semi-desert. The average annual rainfall here is much higher than in other Australian deserts.

In 2007 The North Tanami Aboriginal Protected Area has been established here and covers an area of approximately 4 million hectares. Today, gold is being mined here. AT last years developing various areas of tourism.

It's important to know! The North Tanami Protected Area is home to critically endangered Australian fauna and flora.

The desert called The Pinnacles is a small area that is located in the southwest of the Green Continent.

The name translates as "desert of pointed rocks" and speaks for itself. The sandy territory of the desert is “decorated” with towering stones from one to five meters.

Learn more about the drylands of Australia, it becomes clear why some species of unique Australian animals could not survive in such difficult climatic conditions.