Task 1

Using the following pictures record your thoughts and feelings.

Use the below ‘5 Senses Template’ to help you do this.

Use your imagination to help you with the tastes and sounds.

Task 2

Read the rest of the PowerPoint and make a note of any WONDERINGS or QUESTIONS which you have.

A WONDERING is anything which you found interesting or made you think.

A QUESTION is something which you want to learn more about.

Climate Zones Around the World

Climate is the weather that a particular place experiences over a long period of time. Climate zones are based on temperature and rainfall.

Here is a simple breakdown of the world’s main climate zones.

Polar – very cold and dry all year round.

Continental – long, cold winters with shorter summers.

Temperate – cool winters and mild summers.

Tropical – hot, humid and wet all year round.

Arid – very hot and dry all year round.

Climate Zones in Australia

The continent of Australia can be divided into three main climate zones – arid (hot and dry),tropical (hot and wet) and temperate (cool).

The arid zone covers 70% of the continent. This land is classified as arid or semi-arid.

The tropical zone is located in the far north of the continent.

The temperate zone is located in the south-east, south and south-west of the continent.

The Temperate Climate Zone in Australia

Temperate climates are cooler than tropical climates. They experience the four distinct seasons of summer, autumn, winter and spring.

The temperate climate zone of Australia experiences a variation in temperature and rainfall during the year, depending on the season.

The most common vegetation type found in Australia’s temperate climate zone is eucalypt forests. These are located along the south-east of the continent, between the east coast and the Great Dividing Range.

Plants in the Australian Temperate Zone

As the name suggests, the dominant plant species found in eucalyptus forests is the eucalyptus tree. There are more than 700 species of eucalypts and nearly all of these species are native to Australia.

River red gum is the most widely distributed eucalypt and is found in all Australian mainland states. The forests of south-eastern Australia contain a wide range of dominant eucalypt species including mountain ash, messmate stringybark, alpine ash, blackbutt and spotted gum.

Plants in the Australian Temperate Zone

Spotted gum forestRiver red gum

Animals in the Australian Temperate Zone

The eucalyptus forests of Australia’s temperate zone provide a range of animal habitats such as large trees, fallen logs, shrubs, vines and leaf litter. The environment also provides food, shelter and breeding areas.

Some of the animals that live in Australia’s eucalyptus forests include:

• birds (magpies, galahs, kookaburras, rosellas, wedge-tailed eagles)

• reptiles and amphibians (snakes, lizards, frogs)

• mammals (kangaroos, koalas, sugar gliders, echidnas, bats).

Animals in the Australian Temperate Zone

KookaburraKoalas