2.1.

1
T Y P E S O F N AT U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T S
THE 8 TYPES OF
N AT U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

• Heathland
• Grassland
• Wet Forest and Rainforest
• Dry Forest and Woodlands
• Wetlands
• The Coast
• The Alps
• Arid and Semi-Arid
H E AT H L A N D
Location

Heathlands are found from the coast to the mountains.

Wilsons Promontory and The Grampians National Parks
are examples.

Characteristics

They are characteristically low and shrubby, featuring

twisted trees. Heathlands are a product of exposure to
dry winds and sandy, acidic soils. Many Heathlands
have been impacted on by fire.

Flora and Fauna

Over 80 bird species inhabit these environments along

with small marsupials such as Bandicoots.

Hard leaved plants such as Banksias, Tea Trees and

Eucalypts dominate the landscape.
 GRASSLAND
Location

Prior to European settlement, Grasslands existed between

the Murray Plains and the Great Dividing Range. Current
landscapes containing Grasslands are Gippsland, the
Northern Plains and southwestern Victoria. Less than 1% of
native Grasslands exist to this day, occurring now in small
patches

Characteristics

Grasslands consist mostly of grass varieties along with small

floral flower species. They are large open areas which are
now commonly home to grazing, cropping and other
agricultural practices. Deep soil fluctuates from wet to dry
seasonally.

Flora and Fauna

Types of grass include Wallaby, Kangaroo and Spear

Grasses.

Ground dwelling birds are the major species type such as the
Bush Stone Curlew.
WET FORESTS AND
RAINFORESTS
Location

Wet Forests and Rainforests occur in southern, central and

northeast regions of the state. The Otways, Wilsons
Promontory and the Strzelecki ranges are great examples
of this.

Characteristics

In the cool mountains and gullies on the slopes of

mountain ranges, and in other wet areas at lower
elevations, wet Eucalypt forests and rainforests dominate
the landscape. High levels of seasonal rainfall occur in
these areas.

Flora and Fauna

Possums, Wombats, Frogs and Bugs feature among many

bird species.

The ‘Mountain Ash’ reaches 100 meters in hight.

Eucalypts, Gums and other types of Ash share the sky,
whilst Lilly-Pilly and Ferns are found among shrubs on the
lower levels.
WETLANDS
Location

Wetlands occur all throughout Victoria. Major

wetlands include the Murray-Darling, Gippsland
Lakes, Snowy River. Tidal River (Wilsons Prom) is a
great local example.

Characteristics

Many features make up wetlands such as; Rivers,

creeks, estuaries, lakes, swamps and groundwater
reserves. These are found on low lying areas as rain
and snow melt descends down mountains.

Flora and Fauna

Many species of birds, frogs, fish and plants cannot

exist anywhere else. E.g. European Carp (fish) and
Red Gum (tree).
 THE COAST
Location

Victoria has 2000km of coastline, ranging from

sheltered bays and inlets to rugged eroded cliffs.

Characteristics

The coast is constantly changing due to coastal

processes. Other than cliffs and other forms of
beaches; sand dunes, salt marshes and mudflats are
among common coastal characteristics.

Flora and Fauna

Over 12,000 marine species exist in the waters and

seabeds. The Orange-bellied Parrot is a major bird
found here.

Dune grasses, mangroves, herbs, coastal shrubs and

twisted heath varieties are the major types of
vegetation found on coastal environments.
THE ALPS
Location

Alpine = High mountain area. The Alps stretch from

Canberra to the Snowy Mountains of NSW and along
the Great Dividing Range through eastern VIC.

Characteristics

Alpine areas exist at high altitudes where vegetation is

low due to cold temperature and snow. Alpine areas
appear as extensive rounded mountains.

Flora and Fauna

Unique Alpine species include the Baw-Baw Frog,

Bogong Moth and the Mountain Pygmy Possum.

Heath, herbs and grass species exist among the unique

Snow Gum, twisted by the cold and high winds. The
‘Sphagnum Bog’ is a famous adapted species in Alpine
environments.
 ARID AND
SEMI-ARID
Location

70% of Australia is considered Arid or Semi-Arid.

Approximately 4 million years ago, a vast inland sea
covered the north-western part of Victoria.

Characteristics

The landscape is dominated by dry, sandy, open and

dirt covered area. Low levels of rainfall are the norm.
Arid areas receive 250ml or less of rainfall per year,
Semi-Arid receives 250-350ml, this is what defines
the two.

Flora and Fauna

Numerous Reptile and Bird species inhabit these

areas.

Plants that require little water can flourish here such as

the Desert Banksia, Saltbush, Spear Grass and a range
of native shrubs and grasses.
FA C T O R S A F F E C T I N G N AT U R A L
ENVIRONMENTS
The type of natural environment that occurs in a specific
location is dependent on 3 key factors:

1. Geology

2. Position and Aspect

3. Climate
 GEOLOGY
• Geology: “The science that deals with the earth’s physical structure and
substance, its history, and the processes that act on it”.

• The influence of geology in an area can be seen in the type of rock material
found in a particular location, soil characteristics and drainage. Geology
impacts on natural environments as certain types of vegetation and animal
species only exist in certain conditions.
 POSITION AND ASPECT
• The position and aspect of a natural environment (or its geographical location) is important in determining environment
types, for example:

• Vegetation on a hillside facing south will typically have more shade, therefore will have greater levels of soil moisture.
Vegetation on the north side will be faced with drier soils and may be different to that of the south.

• Position on the globe, specially with reference to the equator determines the amount of, and strength of the sun.

• Plants in depressions are out of the wind and will have increasingly moist soils.

• Alpine environments are a great example, they are at such high altitudes that many plant species simply cannot cope with the
cold conditions.
 C L I M AT E
• Annual rainfall, extremes in temperature, average hours of daylight and
other climatic factors such as wind patterns, evaporation, snow cover,
ground temperature and frost frequency all have a telling impact on natural
environments.