Deserts of Australia: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Deserts in Australia en.png|thumb|Deserts in Australia]] |
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[[File:IBRA 6 Deserts legend.png|thumb|Deserts of Australia (in red), overlaid with [[states and territories of Australia|internal boundaries]] and [[Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia|Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA)]] biogeographic regions.]] |
[[File:IBRA 6 Deserts legend.png|thumb|Deserts of Australia (in red), overlaid with [[states and territories of Australia|internal boundaries]] and [[Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia|Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA)]] biogeographic regions.]] |
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[[File:Australia-climate-map MJC01.png|thumb|Climate zones in Australia]] |
[[File:Australia-climate-map MJC01.png|thumb|Climate zones in Australia]] |
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Revision as of 13:43, 28 August 2013
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The deserts of Australia cover 1,371,000 square kilometres (529,000 sq mi), or 18% of the Australian mainland.[1] The largest of the landform types covering Australia, deserts – and their arid climatic conditions – are found primarily in the western plateau and interior lowlands of the country.
Deserts are not necessarily completely devoid of vegetation, but have large areas where vegetation is very limited in height or extent.
Deserts
| Desert | State/territory | Area | Area rank | Proportion of AU mainland area | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Victoria Desert | Western Australia, South Australia | 348,750 km2 | 134,650 sq mi | 1 | 4.5% |
| Great Sandy Desert | Western Australia | 267,250 km2 | 103,190 sq mi | 2 | 3.5% |
| Tanami Desert | Western Australia, Northern Territory | 184,500 km2 | 71,200 sq mi | 3 | 2.4% |
| Simpson Desert | Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia | 176,500 km2 | 68,100 sq mi | 4 | 2.3% |
| Gibson Desert | Western Australia | 156,000 km2 | 60,000 sq mi | 5 | 2.0% |
| Little Sandy Desert | Western Australia | 111,500 km2 | 43,100 sq mi | 6 | 1.5% |
| Strzelecki Desert | South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales | 80,250 km2 | 30,980 sq mi | 7 | 1.0% |
| Sturt Stony Desert | South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales | 29,750 km2 | 11,490 sq mi | 8 | 0.3% |
| Tirari Desert | South Australia | 15,250 km2 | 5,890 sq mi | 9 | 0.2% |
| Pedirka Desert | South Australia | 1,250 km2 | 480 sq mi | 10 | 0.016% |
Great Victoria Desert
The Great Victoria Desert lies in Western Australia and South Australia. It is over 800 kilometres (500 mi) wide and covers an area of 348,750 square kilometres (134,650 sq mi).
Gibson Desert
The Gibson Desert lies in central Western Australia. The desert is about 156,000 square kilometres (60,000 sq mi) in size. Most of the inhabitants of the area are Indigenous Australians.
Desert group
- Western Desert – is a grouping of the Gibson Desert, the Great Sandy Desert and Little Sandy Desert.
Climate issues
Australia's climate is mostly determined by the hot, sinking air of the subtropical high pressure belt.[2] Dry conditions are associated with an El Niño–Southern Oscillation in Australia. Vegetation in arid areas is primarily dependent upon soil type.[2]
Extensive areas are cover by longitudinal dunes. 40% of Australia is covered by dunes.[2] Central Australia is very dry where averages are 150 mm of rainfall each year.[2]
Ecological issues
Numerous introduced species have effect on the fauna and flora of desert regions.
Australian feral camel are presenting problems for native vegetation. This is partly because Australian desert vegetation evolved without any major herbivore present.[2]
Also un-controlled access to more sensitive areas by four-wheel drive vehicles can be an issue.
See also
References
- ^ Geosciences Australia –Deserts
- ^ a b c d e Laity, Julie J. (2009). Deserts and Desert Environments. John Wiley & Sons. p. 43, 45. ISBN 1444300741. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
External links
- The Australian Landscape, A Cultural History - A four part program exploring the way Europeans and Aboriginal people have engaged with the desert, through art, science and religion, from ABC Radio National
- Encarta (Archived 2009-10-31)
- World Book
- World Wildlife Fund, ed. (2001). "Simpson desert". WildWorld Ecoregion Profile. National Geographic Society. Archived from the original on 2010-03-08.
Further reading
- Johnson, John & Catherine de Courcy.(1998) Desert Tracks Port Melbourne, Vic. Lothian Books. ISBN 0-85091-811-1