1. Climate and Vegetation
Australia’s
Climate and Vegetation

2. Syllabus Students Learn About: Students Learn To: patterns of: climate
natural resources
weather
vegetation
describe Australia’s major physical features and patterns
explain the interrelationships that exist in the physical environment of Australia

3. Climate and Rainfall
The size and location of Australia means a variety of climates
Australia is known as a “dry continent”
Around 80% of Australia has less than 600mm of rainfall per year
50% has less than 300mm of rainfall p.y.
Rainfall is low and inconsistent meaning droughts

4. Pressure Systems
The main reason for our “dry continent” is because our continent is dominated by high pressure
High pressure = dry, stable, sinking air

5. Pressure Systems
The wettest parts of Australia are northern and eastern
In summer, troughs of low pressure come from the equator
Low pressure = moist, unstable air (rain)

6. Temperature
Temperature is often influenced by proximity to the equator
The sun is more powerful at latitudes closer to the equator
Therefore Darwin is hotter than Melbourne as it’s at a higher latitude

7. Inland Australia is normally warmer in the summer and colder in the winter than coastal Australia.
This is because the ocean heats and cools more slowly and this impacts surrounding land.
Temperature

8. Vegetation
Australia has a wide variety of vegetation because of its size
Because of the dry climate 40% is covered by grassland and shrubs
In higher rainfall areas trees dominate
In medium to high rainfall areas much of the natural vegetation has been cleared for agriculture and industry