Download 4.4 Future of Australia`s biota – Further questions and answers Q1

4.4 Future of Australia’s biota – Further questions and answers
Q1.
Bk Ch4 S4.4 FQ1
Investigate the research that is taking place at one of the following Australian sites: Riversleigh in
Queensland, Naracoorte, Murgon or Lightning Ridge in South Australia.
a
What kind of fossils have been uncovered?
b
How old are the fossils?
c
What do the fossils suggest about the kinds of environmental conditions that prevailed at the
times that different kinds of organisms existed?
A1.
Bk Ch4 S4.4 FA1
Use the name of the fossil site as the key words to research these sites on the Internet.
Example (Naracoorte):
a
Fossils include various examples of megafauna as well as modern-day species—wallabies;
possums; mice; bats; Tasmanian devils; reptiles including snakes, lizards and turtles; also parrots,
frogs and the extinct thylacine.
b
Fossils at the site range in age from 15 000 years old to as much as 280 000 years old.
c
Fossil types present in the sediment layers together with pollen analysis suggest that
environmental conditions have changed cyclically from cooler and wetter to warmer and drier.
The ecology appears to have included a period in which eucalypt forests were the dominant
vegetation type, giving way to more open woodland.
Q2.
Bk Ch4 S4.4 FQ2
Research the effects of humans on Australian ecosystems over the last 200 years. Include a discussion
of:

changes in the amount of forest cover,

changes in aquatic environments, and

effects on native flora and fauna.
A2.
Bk Ch4 S4.4 FA2
Since European settlement in Australia a little over 200 years ago our continental ecosystem has
undergone significant change. Clearing of the land to make way for agriculture and urbanisation has
been responsible for the removal of around 50% of eucalypt forest and about 75% of rainforests.
Clearing of trees and irrigation has resulted in salting of waterways and salination of soil. The
increased salinity of the Murray–Darling River system is responsible for the destruction of plants and
animals that lived there as well as producing unproductive farmland and water that is unfit for human
consumption. Human intervention in the form of hunting is also responsible for the extinction of the
thylacine. The introduction of exotic species has also had a negative impact on native plants and
animals.
Q3.
Bk Ch4 S4.4 FQ3
The Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) raises money and community awareness about endangered
species. The World Heritage List aims to protect natural wilderness areas from exploitation. The
Australian Conservation Foundation raises awareness of conservation issues within Australia.
Greenpeace takes action to stop the degradation of the environment.
Choose one of these groups and research the Australian issues on their agenda. The following may help
you:

Name the plants, animals or areas with which the organisation is concerned.

Outline the problems that have been identified.

Summarise the recommendations made in relation to the problem.

Are there other ways to solve the problem?

How can members of the public make a difference?
4.4 Future of biota FQA
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Search the Internet for information. Use the names of the organisations as key words in search engines
to locate different organisations.
A3.
Bk Ch4 S4.4 FA3
Example (Australian Conservation Foundation):
The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) aims to protect and sustain the environment by
addressing a multitude of issues, for example, the preservation of biodiversity; uranium mining; global
warming; land management including forest-clearing, rivers and waterways and the problem of
salinity; and the greenhouse effect.
The ACF makes submissions to government to raise the profile of environmental issues and make
recommendations to alter government policies. For example, in relation to the issue of land-clearing the
ACF campaigns to raise community awareness and change government policy to place restrictions on
logging and to protect particular areas of forest such as old-growth forest and forests that represent
unique habitats for endangered species, such as Leadbeater’s possum in Victoria. Issues related to landclearing include the greenhouse effect, loss of habitat and loss of biodiversity. Solutions include
restricting logging and woodchipping, planting more native trees, using plantation timber, greater
emphasis on recycling of materials, raising the profiles of endangered species, and reducing the use of
fossil fuels and firewood.
Members of the public can make a contribution to solving environmental problems by making
donations that help fund research and campaigns, volunteering services, supporting campaigns for
example by writing letters to government departments raising concerns and possible solutions,
becoming members of the organisation, recycling materials as much as possible at home, purchasing
household goods such as timber furniture and flooring that are not rainforest timbers, and using
alternative fuels to fossil fuels and firewood.
Q4.
Bk Ch4 S4.4 FQ4
Choose an extinct or endangered animal species for research. Choose from the list provided, or choose
another animal in consultation with your teacher
Extinct
Endangered
Thylacine
Blue whale
Rabbit bandicoot
Leadbeater’s possum
Gastric-brooding frog
Eastern barred bandicoot
King Island emu
Green and golden bell frog
a
b
c
Describe the organism, its habitat and lifestyle.
Propose reasons for its extinction or endangered status.
For endangered species outline some conservation strategies that are being or could be
implemented to improve the situation.
A4.
Bk Ch4 S4.4 FA4
a
b
c
Leadbeater’s possum, Gymnobelideus leadbeateri, is a small, nocturnal marsupial measuring
about 30 cm in length of which 15 cm is made up of tail. This agile possum is restricted to a
relatively small area of mountain ash forest in central Victoria.
The dwindling numbers of Leadbeater’s possum are due to habitat loss mainly attributable to
logging.
The implementation of policies to protect existing habitat for this species as well as breeding
programs at zoos such as Healesville Sanctuary represent strategies to improve the outlook for
this species.
4.4 Future of biota FQA
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