History of Australia
First Inhabitants Aborigines – Original inhabitants that settled the land 50,000 years ago Longest occupancy of any group in a single place 3% of population now Many killed off by European diseases STRONG connection to the land and family Dreamtime Oral History
Colonization British…1770 Place for criminals to live Mass migration James Cook Place for criminals to live Prisons too overcrowded Built roads/bridges Developed the land Mass migration Cheap land/work (livestock) “Squatters” Ex-convicts, farmers Gold
Isolation of Australia 13 million plant/animals species in world 1 million ONLY in Australia Eucalyptus – tree that leaves fragrant oil used in many medicines. The only food Koalas eat. “Invasive species” in California and Spain Marsupials – mammals whose females carry babies in their pouch.
Marsupials Kangaroo Koala Wallaby Wombat Tasmanian Devil Bilby
Invasive Species An non-native species introduced to an area Can cause other species to completely disappear and become extinct Can be purposefully introduced or ‘hitch hike’ Gypsy Moth, Zebra Mussels, Asian Carp
Invasive Species in Australia Introduced during colonization of Australia Rabbit – Eat grasses many native animals rely on Put Bilby in danger of extinction Dingo Kill Kangaroos and Wallabies Cane Toad – introduced on purpose, but…
Australia Fences!