UNIT-4 answers Q1)Discuss the major physiographic division of Australia Explain the importance of Murray-Darling river basin Australia is the flattest continent in the world. The continent does not have high mountain ranges like the Andes in South America or extensive plateau as in Africa, The deserts of Australia's interior make up a large portion of the continent. Western Australia has three large deserts: the Gibson Desert, Great Victoria Desert, and Great Sandy Desert. The Simpson Desert is located in the border region between the Northern Territory, Queensland, and South Australia. These deserts are not all sand; course grasses and various species of spinifex, a short plant that grows in sandy soil, also grow in the deserts. The Great Artesian Basin on the western edge of the Great Dividing Range receives very little rainfall. It would be classified as a desert but for its underground water resources, which support extensive farming operations. Large livestock businesses exist in Australia’s interior with massive herds of cattle and sheep. The grassy plateaus and scrublands provide grazing for domesticated livestock and even wild camels. The Great Barrier Reef, the largest barrier reef in the world, extends for 1,600 miles off the northeastern coast of Australia. It is home to a host of sea creatures and fish that draw millions of tourists each year. The reef attracts scuba divers and water enthusiasts from around the world. The reef is a main tourism attraction and brings income to the Australian economy. The Great Barrier Reef has been designated as a United Nations World Heritage Site. Brisbane is located on the Gold Coast, which gets its name from the beautiful sandy beaches. The beaches attract an important tourism market for the country. Landform Regions in Australia, Western Plateau 5 Central Lowlands 3mm =100KM Eastem Highlands Coastal Plains Ill The continent may be divided into three main physical features. * The Western Plateau© The Central Lowlands © The Eastern Highlands The Western Plateau The Western Plateau covers about two thirds of the continent and has an average elevation of 360 m above sea level. The plateau has an undulating surface with gentle slopes and consists of very ol rocks like the Deccan peninsula of India and very rich in minerals. The Central Lowlands The Central Lowlands extend from the Gulf of Carpentaria in the north to the southern coast of the continent. The central Lowlands consists of three sections . The area in the north is drained by small rivers north wards into the gulf of Carpentaria, The middle section is a large basin of inland drainage with lake Eyre in the center. The southern section is drained by the Murry - Darling river system. The Eastern Highlands The Eastern Highlands extend parallel to the east coast from Cape York peninsula in the north to Tasmania in the south. These highlands are also known as the Great Dividing Range, though they are not barriers for movement.The highlands have lower altitude and gentler slopes in the north than in the south. The high lands have a steep slope facing the east coast and gentle slopes on the west. The highlands are dissected by a number of rivers and the valleys provide easy access from the coast to the interior. 1. Great Dividing Range: Running parallel to the eastern coast, the Great Dividing Range is one of the most significant physiographic features of Australia. Stretching over 3,500 kilometers (2,175 miles), it consists of a series of low- to medium-height mountains, plateaus, and escarpments. This range acts as a natural watershed, separating the coastal regions from the inland areas. 2. Coastal Plains: Surrounding much of the continent, Australia's coastal areas are defined by extensive coastal plains. These plains vary in width and elevation, with the largest being the Nullarbor Plain in southern Australia. The coastal plains are characterized by sandy beaches, dunes, estuaries, and mangrove forests.3. Northern Tropical Lowlands: The Northern Tropical Lowlands encompass the northernmost part of Australia, including the Cape York Peninsula and the northern regions of Western Australia and the Northern Territory. This region experiences a tropical climate with wet and dry seasons. It features extensive wetlands, mangroves, and tropical rainforests, such as the Daintree Rainforest. A peculiar feature of Australia is the Great Barrier Reef which lies off the north-east coast. It lies at a distance of 30 to 205 km from the coast. The reef is formed by the skeletal remains of small marine organisms called coral polypslt is called as the Great Barrier Reef because it acts as a barrier for movement of ships towards the coast. What is the Murray-Darling Basin? Covering an area of more than one million square kilometres, or 14 per cent of mainland Australia, the Murray-Darling Basin is the country's largest river system. It runs from Queensland, into New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, then out through Victoria and South Australia Why is the Murray-Darling Basin so important to Australians? Much of Australia's “economy, food security and wellbeing depend on it, now and into the future", according to the Federal Government. The government describes the basin as "the food bowl of the nation", noting that the agriculture industry that it relies on it is worth $24 billion annually. “Over three million people have access to fresh, clean drinking water from the basin," it says. | QUEENSLAND —poaumcSf om | = ae SM | | a NEW SOUTH WALES: dn kbs a 3 at s Pecirereeseceenierced ye The Murray-Darling Basin is of significant environmental, cultural and economic value to Australia. * It's home to 16 internationally significant wetlands, 35 endangered species and 120 different species of waterbirds. * More than 2.3 million people live in the Basin, including people from more than 40 different First Nations.* The Basin attracts visitors from around the world, with tourism earning around $11 billion each year. * Around 40% of Australia’s agricultural produce comes from the Basin, including 100% of our rice, 74% of our grapes and 30% of our dairy. Q4)Briefly discuss the impact of CC on paci remedial measures. The Pacific Islands are facing devastating impacts of climate change including increasing droughts and water scarcity, coastal flooding and erosion, changes in rainfall that affect ecosystems and food production, and adverse impacts to human health (IPCC, 2014, 2018). Pacific island countries are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to their land countries and suggest some low-lying coastal geography, high dependence on natural resources, and limited adaptive capacity. The following are some of the key impacts of climate change on Pacific island countries: 1. Rising sea levels: Pacific islands face the threat of rising sea levels, which result in coastal erosion, inundation of low-lying areas, and increased salinity of freshwater resources. This poses significant challenges for infrastructure, settlements, agriculture, and access to clean water. 2. Increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events: Climate change has led to an increase in the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones, storms, and heavy rainfall events in the Pacific, These events cause widespread damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and livelihoods, leading to displacement, loss of lives, and increased vulnerability. 3. Coral bleaching and ocean acidification: Warmer sea temperatures associated with climate change contribute to coral bleaching events, which result in the loss of coral reefs and the decline of marine biodiversity. Ocean acidification, caused by the absorption of excess carbon dioxide by the oceans, also poses a threat to coral reefs and marine ecosystems, impacting fisheries and the livelihoods of coastal communities. 4, Changes in rainfall patterns: Climate change affects rainfall patterns in the Pacific, leading to changes in the timing, duration, and intensity of rainfall. This can result in prolonged droughts, water scarcity, and impacts on agriculture, food security, and freshwater resources. 5, Threats to biodiversity and ecosystems: Climate change poses a significant threat to the unique biodiversity and fragile ecosystems of Pacific island countries. Changes in temperature, precipitation, and sea levels can disrupt ecosystems, impact endemic species, and threaten traditional livelihoods such as subsistence farming and fishing 6. Health impacts: Climate change has implications for public health in the Pacific. Increased temperatures can lead to heat-related illnesses, while changes in rainfall patterns and water quality can increase the risk of waterborne diseases. Vector-borne diseases such as dengue fever and malaria may also become more prevalent due to changing climatic conditions.To address these challenges, remedial measures should focus on both adaptation and mitigation strategies: 1. Adaptation measures: * Enhancing coastal protection and infrastructure resilience to manage the impacts of rising sea levels and storm surges. * Developing climate-resilient agriculture and diversifying livelihoods to reduce dependence on vulnerable sectors * Strengthening water management systems, including rainwater harvesting, water storage, and efficient irrigation techniques. * Promoting climate-smart and sustainable practices in sectors such as fisheries, forestry, and tourism. * Implementing early warning systems and disaster risk reduction strategies to enhance preparedness and response to extreme weather events. 2. Mitigation measures: * Reducing greenhouse gas emissions through transitioning to renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency. * Promoting sustainable land use practices, such as reforestation, afforestation, and reducing deforestation. * Encouraging sustainable transportation systems and promoting public awareness about the importance of reducing carbon footprints. * Supporting international initiatives and agreements aimed at mitigating climate change, such as the Paris Agreement. Pacific island countries can take several remedial measures to address the impacts of climate change and build resilience. Here are some suggested actions: 1. Strengthening Coastal Protection: + Implement measures such as building seawalls, breakwaters, and artificial reefs to protect vulnerable coastal areas from erosion and storm surges.Promote natural-based solutions like mangrove restoration and coral reef preservation, as these ecosystems act as natural barriers against coastal hazards. Enhancing Climate-Resilient Infrastructure: Incorporate climate change considerations into the design and construction of infrastructure projects, including roads, buildings, and water supply systems. Improve drainage systems and stormwater management to minimize flood risks. Invest in renewable energy infrastructure, such as solar and wind power, to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and increase energy security. Developing Climate-Smart Agriculture and Fisheries: Promote climate-resilient agricultural practices, including sustainable land management, agroforestry, and the use of drought-tolerant crop varieties. Support farmers with access to climate information, improved irrigation techniques, and efficient water management practices. Implement sustainable fisheries management practices to protect marine resources and ensure the long-term viability of coastal communities. Strengthening Water Management: Improve water storage and rainwater harvesting systems to enhance water availability during periods of drought. Invest in water treatment and desalination technologies to ensure access to clean and safe drinking water. Promote water conservation practices at the household, community, and industrial levels. Promoting Climate Education and Awareness: Increase public awareness about climate change and its impacts through education campaigns and community engagement programs. Provide training and capacity-building programs to enhance understanding of climate change adaptation and mitigation measures. Encourage knowledge-shering and cooperation among Pacific island countries to exchange best practices and lessons learned. Enhancing Disaster Risk Reduction and Early Warning Systems: Strengthen early warning systems for tropical cyclones, storms, and other extreme weather events to enable timely evacuation and preparedness Develop and implement comprehensive disaster risk reduction plans, including community- based approaches and resilient infrastructure. Improve emergency response capabilities and coordination among relevant agencies and stakeholders, Advocating for International Support Engage in international climate change negotiations to advocate for the interests and concerns of Pacific island countries Seek financial assistance and technical support from the international community to implement climate change adaptation and mitigation measures. Collaborate with regional organizations and partners to access funding mechanisms and share experiences and knowledge* Natural resource management, including agriculture and rural development, with emphasis on (i) coastal and marine resources protection and management; (ii) integrated watershed management including sustainable forestry management and wildlife management; (iii) building synergy between adaptation and mitigation; and (iv) pursuing proactive measures in anticipation of climate change (e.g., improved soil and water management, diversification and intensification of food and plantation crop production, developing approaches to intensive commercial agriculture, and strengthening land use planning for production of key commercial and subsistence crops) © Water, focusing on (i) flood control; (i) drainage and sanitation; (ii) rural and urban water supply; and (iv) integrated water management, including improved catchment management (reforestation, soil conservation, wetland protection and management, and land use management) and reducing disaster risks from flooding by regulating development on flood plains and promoting flood-proof building design * Energy, mainly by investing in emissions reduction solutions that can include (i) energy reduction of GHG emissions from transport, solid waste and wastewater systems, and land use * Transport, consisting primarily of (i) climate proofing of roads, ports, and airports; (ii) reduction of GHG emissions from transport through the use of clean energy in vehicles; and (ii) limited investments in alternative and cleaner fuels (for example, biofuels development) In addition to these measures, international cooperation, financial support, and technology transfer are crucial for Pacific island countries to effectively address the impacts of climate change Collaborative efforts with developed nations and regional organizations can help build resilience, provide technical assistance, and facilitate capacity building to support the sustainable development of these vulnerable countries. conservation and efficiency; (ii) renewable energy deployment; and (i