Fraser Island's Geographical Landforms
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Fraser Island is a jewel of Australia's natural heritage, lying off the eastern coasts of Queensland. Stretching at 122km in length and 22km at its greatest width, the island is also internationally the largest sand island and the only place where rainforests over 200m high can grow on a sand medium.
Fraser Island is a segment of Australia that is generally undisturbed by mankind, with long white sand beaches and different coloured waters, being crystal clear or dark mahogany coloured. The fact how there are tall rainforests, inland sand dunes and lakes make it a striking place of beauty with a wide diversity of flora and fauna, ranging from wild flower species to migrating birds and dolphins.
Furthermore, its climate is subtropical, temperatures ranging from 14-28 degrees Celsius. Its inland areas however, consisting of sand dunes can have temperatures that soar to extreme. There is also a high rainfall, approximately 1500mm of annual rain. Plants must adapt to survive the sand medium as well as lack of sunlight and rainforest conditions in means such as increasing leaf area to capture more light.
Fraser Island is a segment of Australia that is generally undisturbed by mankind, with long white sand beaches and different coloured waters, being crystal clear or dark mahogany coloured. The fact how there are tall rainforests, inland sand dunes and lakes make it a striking place of beauty with a wide diversity of flora and fauna, ranging from wild flower species to migrating birds and dolphins.
Furthermore, its climate is subtropical, temperatures ranging from 14-28 degrees Celsius. Its inland areas however, consisting of sand dunes can have temperatures that soar to extreme. There is also a high rainfall, approximately 1500mm of annual rain. Plants must adapt to survive the sand medium as well as lack of sunlight and rainforest conditions in means such as increasing leaf area to capture more light.
Flora and Fauna
Fraser Island's species range include 230 species of birds as well pelicans, kingfishers and sea eagles. It is also not uncommon to see a dingo and their isolation on an island has ensured them they are the purest breed of dingos in Australia. Fraser Island is also home to countless numbers of fish, both in the lake and outer reef. Rarer species of sea mammals include dugongs, dolphins, migrating humpback whales and turtles.
Fraser Island's unique biodiversity is contributed by its evolution in the island's rare environment. Low 'wallam' shrubs are plant life of extremely rich ecological and evolutionary value as these shrubs have adapted to survive a high water table, seasonal flooding and very acidic soils. Likewise are acid frogs, which have adapted to survive the harsh waters of the island - having high acidity levels and dire purity and nutritional value. |