Regional overview
|
Vegetation map of the gulf country shows that eucalypt woodlands
with hummockgrasses dominate the Gulf Uplands and Mount Isa Inlier
bioregions, whereas grasslands, melaleuca forest and woodland and
eucalypt woodland with tussock grasses dominate the Gulf coastal
and Gulf plains regions
|
The Gulf of Carpentaria covers a vast area of the tropical
savannas of northern Australia. The region is one of the least
understood in terms of the diversity and distribution of plants and
animals that live there because of limited number of biological
surveys. Burke and Wills were probably the first European
naturalists to work in the region, reaching the coast on December
16, 1860, but they did not manage to get home in one piece to write
up their results. Nevertheless, a rich biota exists including many
species of national significance.
Gulf fauna and flora can be broken into two major types: the
inland areas dominated by extensive sandstone ranges and eucalypt
woodland (Gulf Uplands and Mount Isa Inlier bioregions), and
lowland coastal plains, rivers and seasonal wetlands (Gulf Coastal
and Gulf Plain bioregions).
Other important environments in the region are the large
offshore islands, Sir Edward Pellew Group, Mornington Island and
Wellesly Group, which provide important refuges for many
species.
Use the contents links above or click below to read about the
region you are interested in:
- Gulf Uplands and Mount Isa Inlier
- Gulf coastal and gulf plains
- Environmental issues
