semi-arid habitatBetween the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range and the arid desert of the interior lies the undulating region of the western plains. With distance westward from the mountains there is a reduction of rainfall, an increase in temperature, a flatter landscape and a change in the vegetation until there are broad, semi-arid expanses with sparse vegetation. Most of the semi-arid area supports extensive woodlands or low vegetation of scattered saltbush and bluebush. After rain a profusion of herbs and grasses grow quickly. Further information about this habitat can be found at these sites:
Animals living in this habitat
Threats included in this Australian Menagerie are: Cats - eat native animals, compete for food with native animals and may spread disease. Fire - frequency, intensity and seasonality changes may alter the vegetation composition and reduce or destroy shelter availability. Pollution - including oil spills, chemicals, sewage, soil washing into water, rubbush (eg. plastic bags, fishing lines and nets), may kill animals or their food supply. Rabbits - compete with native animals for food and shelter, ringbark plants and can change the vegetation composition, disturb the soil and cause erosion. Foxes - eat native animals, compete with native animals for food and shelter and may spread disease.
Management Strategies included in this Australian Menagerie are: Cats - are controlled by trapping, shooting, poisoning, fencing, animal proofing garbage disposal units and implementing education programs which encourage responsible cat ownership. Fire - extensive research to determine desirable fire regimes must be followed by appropriate management of wild fires, hazard reduction fires and fires for ecological purposes. Pollution - can be reduced through education programs and legislation which aims to reduce household, community and industrial pollution. Rabbits - numbers can be reduced by introducing biological controls (disease). warren destruction, poison baits, fumigating warrens and fencing. Foxes - are controlled by poisoning, trapping, shooting, fencing and animal proofing garbage disposal units. If you know of any links for any of the above habitat or animals please let us know so we can add them. | The Animals | The Habitats | |