Question

Briefly describe the climate and vegetation of the south-eastern and south-western coasts of Australia.

Answer 1

The presence of the Eastern Highlands causes heavy rains along the eastern coast and rainfall decreases westwards, away from the coast. So, most central and western Australia has high temperatures and very little rainfall resulting in the formation of a desert.
South-eastern and south-western parts which experience rain in winter from the onshore Westerlies. Winter conditions prevail from April to September for this reason.
The temperate forests are found in the south-eastern and south¬western parts of Australia and in Tasmania. Eucalyptus (locally called eucalypt or gum tree) is the main tree of these forests. There are over 900 species of eucalyptus trees found in Australia. This tree does not shed its leaves, but the bark peels off and is replaced by new white or light coloured bark. Eucalyptus trees dominate the landscape of Australia.