How are humans affecting this biome?
The human race is playing a major role in how this biome is going to end up. There are some negative effects of us humans on this critical biome. Some grasslands are untouched, or don't have much human contact, but urban development, and farming has become a negative prospect in these grasslands. With more city expansion, and more land being taken up and bought for farming, the many grasslands are seeming to diminish. Humans are also hunting in these grasslands, throwing off the balance of the food chain because depending on which animal is the most popular as game, the course of nature will be altered. Although mankind is not the best for the tropical grasslands, there are also some positive take aways from humans to Australian tropical grasslands. Humans are also the ones who can create land reserves, and help endangered species repopulate. National parks are made to preserve wildlife and a lot is being done to try to undo the negative effects on the tropical grasslands. Although most of the problems being fixed by humans are problems that humans created, we're still trying to rectify the issues in the Australian tropical grassland.
Climate:
The Tropical Grasslands climate consist of two seasons: Dry season and Wet season. Dry season can last up to 2-3 months without rain whilst the Wet season receives up to 15-25 inches of precipitation. The bounteous rain is because the Tropical Grassland is located close to the Indian ocean and Southern Asia that carry seasonal winds (monsoon) to North of Australia, this proximity brings storms and heavy rains for the Wet season.
Why is this biome important? why should it be protected?
The Australian tropical grassland is important to our ecosystem for a few reasons. The first reason is because it's a main source of crops and meat, without the grasslands, there would be a loss of food, leaving humans with a drop in sustenance. Grasslands also help with clean water, and water flow that prevents flooding. But the main reason grasslands are essential to the world's ecosystems, is that grasslands are a central part of the carbon cycle. Carbon or "CO₂" is needed to support many life forms such as trees that eventually give us oxygen, so carbon is helping us in the long run. Carbon is very abundant in grasslands, so if grasslands aren't protected, we'd be deprived of a significant part of our lives.
Steps to protecting this biome
Understanding Australia’s tropical grassland is a key step to preserving its flora and fauna. There are several ways to conserve the natural habitat and these ways can be the treatment/destruction of weeds, monitoring of feral animals and the removal of invasive species. The first method of conservation is the treatment of weeds—specifically Mimosa pigra—it is an important step to eradicate the weeds as it has taken over soil therefore reducing nutrients and space for native plant life to mature. The second method of conservation is the tracking of feral animals, this step is incredibly important to Australia’s biosecurity as feral animals (such as pigs, cats etc.) carry infectious diseases that affects both humans and animals; feral animals also impact native species by competing for food and overgrazing, making it difficult for natives to survive. And the last method of conservation is the removal (complete wipe-out) of invasive species but unfortunately this method isn’t necessarily achievable as it is quite expensive. The removal of invasive species can be done periodically or it can be done only in areas that are most vulnerable due to invasive species (localised eradication) but there exist other methods such as conventional control which is fencing: this is done to exclude invasive animals from native species. There are various ways to help preserve the tropical grassland and it is time for humans to step our game up and do something about it (responsibility!).
sources:
Steps to protecting this biome:
"Feral Animals in Australia." Department of the Environment and Energy. Commonwealth of Australia, n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2016.
Jacklyn, Peter. "Biosecurity: Keeping out Unwelcome Visitors." Savanna Explorer - All Regions - Northern Australia - Biosecurity. N.p., 2007. Web. 01 Dec. 2016.
"Feral Animals in Australia." Department of the Environment and Energy. Commonwealth of Australia, n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2016.
Jacklyn, Peter. "Biosecurity: Keeping out Unwelcome Visitors." Savanna Explorer - All Regions - Northern Australia - Biosecurity. N.p., 2007. Web. 01 Dec. 2016.
all information put together by Sara Parker, Chloe Fernandez and Brielle Chan
Site design, Zoology, Anthropology: Sara Parker
Botany, Conclusion: Brielle Chan
Metereology, Geology, Conclusion: Chloe Fernandez
Site design, Zoology, Anthropology: Sara Parker
Botany, Conclusion: Brielle Chan
Metereology, Geology, Conclusion: Chloe Fernandez