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The isolation of the Australian island continent for 55 million
years has resulted in a unique Australian flora and fauna. Of more
than 700 bird species listed in Australia, 400 are found nowhere
else, and Australia has 20,000 species of plants.
Over the immensity of the land there are many varieties of
habitat, including tropical rainforest, temperate rainforest,
sclerophyllous forests, savanna and steppe, alpine grasslands, and
deserts.
 In all these areas except the rainforests the universal tree is
the eucalypt. It is the most common tree in the country, with over
500 species. Its species dominate the forests and woodlands of the
better-watered regions of Australia.
Acacia or wattle tree is another major species in the Australian
landscape. There are over 600 species in Australia. In the drier
woodlands and semi arid areas wattles are co-dominant with the
eucalypts.
With the unique variety of birds and insects that are available to
pollinate flowering plants, many Australian plants have developed
distinctive methods of attracting particular species. These
include dramatically colored flowers, unusual shapes  designed to
brush against birds or insects as they feed, and abundant supplies
of nectar. The Kangaroo Paw, Grevillea, and Hakea are examples of
this.
Some Australian trees and plants (for example banksias) produce
hard woody fruits and seeds, which not only survive fire but
require fire to develop. Fire also burns back undergrowth. Some
species' seeds are adapted to grow only in the presence of those
nutrients available after a fire's burning. |
