Plants and animals have adapted over time to survive in the often tough environments we see in Australia. Examples of these adaptations to different environmental conditions include:
Dry/ Arid environments: Plants such as the Mulga bush have developed very deep root systems to seek out groundwater. The leaves of these plants are also very small to minimise water loss through transpiration.
Many native fish, frogs and other small animals will go to “sleep” during dry periods, often burying themselves in mud to wait for the next rains to come out of their torpor. Some frogs of Western NSW can survive up to 10 years before waking, storing up to 50% of their bodyweight in water in their bladders.
Many Australian animals have evolved water conservation strategies to minimize water loss. For example, kangaroos and other marsupials have highly concentrated urine and produce dry faeces to conserve water. Some reptiles, like the thorny devil lizard, can collect dew from their skin and channel it into their mouths to drink.
Fire: Many Australian plants have adapted to survive through bushfires. Many Eucalypt and Acacia trees in fact need the heat from fire to open their thick seed pods. Some animals have also adapted to fire. The Black Chinned Honey Eater relies on freshly burned plants for their survival as they seek out nectar from the burned branches and limbs of gum trees.
