What is the flora and fauna of Australia?
More than 80 per cent of the country’s flowering plants, mammals, reptiles and frogs are unique to Australia, along with most of its freshwater fish and almost half of its birds. Australia’s marine environment is home to 4000 fish species, 1700 coral species, 50 types of marine mammal and a wide range of seabirds.
What makes the flora and fauna of Australia so unique?
“Australia has a unique fauna because it was isolated from the rest of the world for very long periods. The Australian continent was surrounded by ocean for many millions of years, and so the plants and animals on that very large life-raft were able to evolve in distinctive ways.
How many species of flora and fauna are found in Australia?
Australia probably has between 200,000 and 300,000 species, about 100,000 of which have been described.
What is the fauna and the flora?
/ˌflɔːr.ə ən ˈfɑː.nə/ The flora and fauna of a place are its plants and animals. Plants & animals – general words.
What flora can be found in Australia?
Largest angiosperm families in Australia
| Family | % of total flora1 | Notable genera |
|---|---|---|
| Fabaceae | 12.0 | Acacia, Pultenaea, Daviesia, Bossiaea |
| Myrtaceae | 9.3 | Callistemon, Eucalyptus, Melaleuca, Leptospermum |
| Asteraceae | 8.0 | Brachyscome, Olearia |
| Poaceae | 6.5 | Triodia |
What plants are grown in Australia?
Australia’s plants
- Acacia (Wattles) Australia boasts more than 1,200 species of Acacia, which are commonly known as wattle trees.
- Eucalypts. With 2,800 species of eucalypts (gum trees), these are the trees most commonly associated with Australia.
- Proteaceae.
- Melaleuca.
- Wildflowers.
- Haemodoraceae.
- Eremophila.
What is the main characteristic of flora in Australia?
Prominent features of the Australian flora are adaptations to aridity and fire which include scleromorphy and serotiny. These adaptations are common in species from the large and well-known families Proteaceae (Banksia), Myrtaceae (Eucalyptus – gum trees), and Fabaceae (Acacia – wattle).
How many types of plants are in Australia?
Australia’s plants. There are an astounding 24,000 species of native plants in Australia, making the country’s flora one of our most prized assets. Here are some of the more common species, and where you can spot them in the wild.
What is the importance of flora and fauna?
Flora and fauna are very important for human existence. The flora liberates oxygen that is consumed by the fauna for respiratory activities. Fauna, in turn, liberates carbon dioxide consumed by the flora for photosynthesis. Flora and fauna hugely benefit mankind through its medicinal and food offerings.
What is the difference between flora and fauna give one example of each?
Examples of flora include palm trees, grass, sunflowers, etc. Fauna includes lions, tigers, bears, cows etc.
What plant life is in Australia?
Australian vegetation is dominated by two types of plants—the eucalyptus and the acacia. There are 569 known species of eucalypts and 772 species of acacia. Nevertheless, a great deal of botanical diversity exists throughout this large continent.
What is the most common plant in Australia?
Eucalypts
Eucalypt. The most widespread of Australian plant species is the eucalypt, also known as a gum tree. Eucalypts are iconic forest trees in Australia. About 80 per cent of forests in Australia are eucalypt forests, or forests in which gum trees are the dominant (but not the only species).
What is flora and fauna essay?
Flora refers to all plant life and fauna refers to all animal life. Fauna cannot prepare their own food so they depend upon the flora for their food.
What are the factors affecting flora and fauna?
The important elements are rainfall, temperature, soil, altitude and geographical structure.
What is the difference between flora fauna and vegetation?
The sum of the plant species in a given geographical are is known as the Flora. The sum of the animal species in the given geographical area is known as the Fauna of that area. Th term vegetation takes into account a bigger geographical area. In many cases, the term is used for all the plants on a global scale.
What is the most famous plant in Australia?
Eucalyptus. Eucalyptus is the most iconic symbol of the Australian native environment. They are perfect for your home garden, especially if you are looking for something unique.
Why is it important to protect flora and fauna?
The importance of flora and fauna is linked with the very air we breathe and the food we eat. The flora produces important the medicines, and the water absolutely necessary for life to exist, would not be if flora and fauna all things in an ecosystem are interdependent.