TYPES OF NATURAL

ENVI RONMENTS
2. 1. 1
THE 8 TYPES OF
NATURAL ENVI RONMENT
Heathland
Grassland
Wet Forest and Rainforest
Dry Forest and Woodlands
Wetlands
The Coast
The Alps
Arid and Semi-Arid



HEATHLAND
Location
Heathlands are found from the coast to the
mountains. Wilsons Promontory and The
Grampians National Parks are examples.
Characteristics
They are characteristically low and shrubby,
featuring twisted trees. Heathlands are a product of
exposure to dry winds and sandy, acidic soils.
Many Heathlands have been impacted on by fire.
Flora and Fauna
Over 80 bird species inhabit these environments
along with small marsupials such as Bandicoots.
Hard leaved plants such as Banksias, Tea Trees
and Eucalypts dominate the landscape.
GRASSLAND
Location
Prior to European settlement, Grasslands existed
between the Murray Plains and the Great Dividing
Range. Current landscapes containing Grasslands are
Gippsland, the Northern Plains and southwestern
Victoria. Less than 1% of native Grasslands exist to
this day, occurring now in small patches
Characteristics
Grasslands consist mostly of grass varieties along with
small floral flower species. They are large open areas
which are now commonly home to grazing, cropping
and other agricultural practices. Deep soil fluctuates
from wet to dry seasonally.
Flora and Fauna
Types of grass include Wallaby, Kangaroo and Spear
Grasses.
Ground dwelling birds are the major species type such
as the Bush Stone Curlew.
WET FORESTS
AND
RAI NFORESTS
Location
Wet Forests and Rainforests occur in southern,
central and northeast regions of the state. The
Otways, Wilsons Promontory and the Strzelecki
ranges are great examples of this.
Characteristics
In the cool mountains and gullies on the slopes of
mountain ranges, and in other wet areas at lower
elevations, wet Eucalypt forests and rainforests
dominate the landscape. High levels of seasonal
rainfall occur in these areas.
Flora and Fauna
Possums, Wombats, Frogs and Bugs feature among
many bird species.
The Mountain Ash reaches 100 meters in hight.
Eucalypts, Gums and other types of Ash share the
sky, whilst Lilly-Pilly and Ferns are found among
shrubs on the lower levels.
DRY FORESTS
AND WOODLANDS
Location
Wet Forests and Rainforests occur in southern,
central and northeast regions of the state. The
Otways, Wilsons Promontory and the Strzelecki
ranges are great examples of this.
Characteristics
In the cool mountains and gullies on the slopes of
mountain ranges, and in other wet areas at lower
elevations, wet Eucalypt forests and rainforests
dominate the landscape. High levels of seasonal
rainfall occur in these areas.
Flora and Fauna
Possums, Wombats, Frogs and Bugs feature among
many bird species.
The Mountain Ash reaches 100 meters in hight.
Eucalypts, Gums and other types of Ash share the
sky, whilst Lilly-Pilly and Ferns are found among
shrubs on the lower levels.
WETLANDS
Location
Wetlands occur all throughout Victoria. Major
wetlands include the Murray-Darling, Gippsland
Lakes, Snowy River. Tidal River (Wilsons Prom)
is a great local example.
Characteristics
Many features make up wetlands such as;
Rivers, creeks, estuaries, lakes, swamps and
groundwater reserves. These are found on low
lying areas as rain and snow melt descends
down mountains.
Flora and Fauna
Many species of birds, frogs, fish and plants
cannot exist anywhere else. E.g. European Carp
(fish) and Red Gum (tree).
THE COAST
Location
Victoria has 2000km of coastline, ranging from
sheltered bays and inlets to rugged eroded cliffs.
Characteristics
The coast is constantly changing due to coastal
processes. Other than cliffs and other forms of
beaches; sand dunes, salt marshes and mudflats
are among common coastal characteristics.
Flora and Fauna
Over 12,000 marine species exist in the waters
and seabeds. The Orange-bellied Parrot is a
major bird found here.
Dune grasses, mangroves, herbs, coastal shrubs
and twisted heath varieties are the major types of
vegetation found on coastal environments.
THE ALPS
Location
Alpine = High mountain area. The Alps stretch from
Canberra to the Snowy Mountains of NSW and
along the Great Dividing Range through eastern
VIC.
Characteristics
Alpine areas exist at high altitudes where
vegetation is low due to cold temperature and
snow. Alpine areas appear as extensive rounded
mountains.
Flora and Fauna
Unique Alpine species include the Baw-Baw Frog,
Bogong Moth and the Mountain Pygmy Possum.
Heath, herbs and grass species exist among the
unique Snow Gum, twisted by the cold and high
winds. The Sphagnum Bog is a famous adapted
species in Alpine environments.
ARI D AND
SEMI - ARI D
Location
70% of Australia is considered Arid or Semi-Arid.
Approximately 4 million years ago, a vast inland
sea covered the north-western part of Victoria.
Characteristics
The landscape is dominated by dry, sandy, open
and dirt covered area. Low levels of rainfall are
the norm. Arid areas receive 250ml or less of
rainfall per year, Semi-Arid receives 250-350ml,
this is what defines the two.
Flora and Fauna
Numerous Reptile and Bird species inhabit these
areas.
Plants that require little water can flourish here
such as the Desert Banksia, Saltbush, Spear
Grass and a range of native shrubs and grasses.
FACTORS AFFECTI NG NATURAL
ENVI RONMENTS
The type of natural environment that occurs in a specific
location is dependent on 3 key factors:
1. Geology
2. Position and Aspect
3. Climate
GEOLOGY
The influence of geology in an area can be seen in the type of rock
material found in a particular location, soil characteristics and
drainage. Geology impacts on natural environments as certain types
of vegetation and animal species only exist in certain conditions.
Geology: The science that deals with the earths physical structure
and substance, its history, and the processes that act on it.
POSI TI ON AND ASPECT
The position and aspect of a natural environment (or its geographical location) is important in determining
environment types, for example:
Vegetation on a hillside facing south will typically have more shade, therefore will have greater levels of soil
moisture. Vegetation on the north side will be faced with drier soils and may be different to that of the south.
Position on the globe, specially with reference to the equator determines the amount of, and strength of the sun.
Plants in depressions are out of the wind and will have increasingly moist soils.
Alpine environments are a great example, they are at such high altitudes that many plant species simply cannot
cope with the cold conditions.
CLI MATE
Annual rainfall, extremes in temperature, average hours of daylight
and other climatic factors such as wind patterns, evaporation, snow
cover, ground temperature and frost frequency all have a telling
impact on natural environments.