ClimAte:
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The Northern Territories of Australia reside in a tropical climate zone therefore only have two seasons: Wet and Dry. Dry season lasts from May through October and the average climate exhibits dry yet cool weather with little to no rain (at extremes precipitation falls 2-3 months at a time). Wet season lasts from November to April with high humidity and heavy rain, due to the proximity to Southeast Asia monsoon rains are common to the location therefore contributing to the regions vegetation.
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Based on the graph, rain falls heaviest during the month of January averaging around 270 mm of precipitation and rain falls the least during June with only 1 mm of rain. During dry season the temperature averages on 32˚ C and in the wet season 39˚C. It does seem a little unusual that whenever it rains the temperature is hotter and when its dry the weather is cooler, but it is called down-under for a reason.
Climate Change
Scientists predict that by 2070 the annual average temperature will increase by 1-6˚ C and that sea levels will have risen, increasing the possibility of stronger cyclones and storm surges to hit the grasslands. Climate change hasn’t majorly impacted the grasslands and hopefully it never does.
Scientists predict that by 2070 the annual average temperature will increase by 1-6˚ C and that sea levels will have risen, increasing the possibility of stronger cyclones and storm surges to hit the grasslands. Climate change hasn’t majorly impacted the grasslands and hopefully it never does.
climatographs: City of darwin & katherine
Minimum average temperature:
Jan: 29C Feb: 29C Mar: 27C Apr: 27C May: 25C Jun: 23C Jul: 23C Aug: 25C Sep: 27C Oct: 28C Nov: 29C Dec:29C |
Minimum average temperature:
Jan: 24C Feb: 23C Mar: 22C Apr: 20C May: 17C Jun: 14C Jul: 13C Aug: 15C Sep: 20C Oct: 24C Nov: 25C Dec: 25C |
Physical Features:
The a typical tropical grassland features landscapes such as vast grasslands that stretch for miles and hills covered with thick patches of grass that tower over 3 metres. But there are a variety of landscapes in a savannah due to the diversity in soil; three examples of landscapes in a grassland are savannah woodlands, ‘stone country’ and black soil plains.
Fire has also taken part in landscaping as wildfires tear through the land once every two years to break down litter and dry grass maintaining healthy vegetation, yet this creates a slightly barren landscape.
Northern Territory contains a great diversity of soil types. The soil in tropical grasslands is porous and has a thin layer of humus (decomposed plant/animal matter, not the kind of humus you want with your chips). The regions closer to the coast the soil becomes lateritic– which is one of the most infertile types of soil –this occurs due to the hot and wet climate.
Fire has also taken part in landscaping as wildfires tear through the land once every two years to break down litter and dry grass maintaining healthy vegetation, yet this creates a slightly barren landscape.
Northern Territory contains a great diversity of soil types. The soil in tropical grasslands is porous and has a thin layer of humus (decomposed plant/animal matter, not the kind of humus you want with your chips). The regions closer to the coast the soil becomes lateritic– which is one of the most infertile types of soil –this occurs due to the hot and wet climate.
Symbiosis:
“A symbiotic relationship refers to the interaction between two species that live together in a close association.”
An interesting example of symbiosis in Australia’s tropical grassland is the bond between Dingoes and Humans. Aboriginals had the greatest bond with dingoes, to the aboriginals there was no distinction between wild dog and domestic pet. Their bond resembled a mutualistic relationship wherein both sides benefited; the Aboriginals used dingoes for protection (both physically and spiritually*), hunting, and companionship whilst the dingoes were kept well fed and taken care of.
*Dingoes are sacred in the Aboriginal society as they were connected to holy places, rituals, totems etc. The human and dingo bond was so strong that there is evidence that the dogs have been buried with their owners to protect them from evil.
An interesting example of symbiosis in Australia’s tropical grassland is the bond between Dingoes and Humans. Aboriginals had the greatest bond with dingoes, to the aboriginals there was no distinction between wild dog and domestic pet. Their bond resembled a mutualistic relationship wherein both sides benefited; the Aboriginals used dingoes for protection (both physically and spiritually*), hunting, and companionship whilst the dingoes were kept well fed and taken care of.
*Dingoes are sacred in the Aboriginal society as they were connected to holy places, rituals, totems etc. The human and dingo bond was so strong that there is evidence that the dogs have been buried with their owners to protect them from evil.
Sources:
Jacklyn, Peter, Kate O'Donnell, and Emma Woodward. "Tropical Savannas: A Unique Region." Savanna Explorer - Northern Australia - All Regions. N.p., 2005-2006. Web. 01 Dec. 2016.
"Climate Change Impacts in the Northern Territory." Department of the Environment and Energy. Commonwealth of Australia, n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2016.
Tropical Grasslands (Savannas)." Defenders. Defenders of Wildlife, 2013. Web. 30 Nov. 2016.
"Australian Dingo Conservation Association." Aboriginal Connections. ADCA, 2011. Web. 30 Nov. 2016.
"Dingoes and Dogs in Indigenous Culture." Dingoes and Dogs in Indigenous Culture | AMRRIC. AMRRIC, 28 Feb. 2013. Web. 29 Nov. 2016.
Radford, Tim. "Flourishing Savanna Woodlands Mean Forests Are Still Absorbing Carbon." The Ecologist. Climate News Network, 18 May 2011. Web. 01 Dec. 2016.
TUBS. "File:Northern Territory in Australia.svg." File:Northern Territory in Australia.svg - Wikimedia Commons. Wikipidea, 5 Oct. 2011. Web. 26 Nov. 2016.
"Climate: NORTHERN TERRITORY." Climate-Data.org. Climate-Data, 2015. Web. 27 Nov. 2016.
Northern Territory Library. "Save the Dingo." Save the Dingo. Save the Dingoes, 2013. Web. 01 Dec. 2016.
"Parks Australia." Landscapes | Kakadu National Park | Parks Australia. Parks Australia, 2013-2016. Web. 29 Nov. 2016.
Jacklyn, Peter, Kate O'Donnell, and Emma Woodward. "Tropical Savannas: A Unique Region." Savanna Explorer - Northern Australia - All Regions. N.p., 2005-2006. Web. 01 Dec. 2016.
"Climate Change Impacts in the Northern Territory." Department of the Environment and Energy. Commonwealth of Australia, n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2016.
Tropical Grasslands (Savannas)." Defenders. Defenders of Wildlife, 2013. Web. 30 Nov. 2016.
"Australian Dingo Conservation Association." Aboriginal Connections. ADCA, 2011. Web. 30 Nov. 2016.
"Dingoes and Dogs in Indigenous Culture." Dingoes and Dogs in Indigenous Culture | AMRRIC. AMRRIC, 28 Feb. 2013. Web. 29 Nov. 2016.
Radford, Tim. "Flourishing Savanna Woodlands Mean Forests Are Still Absorbing Carbon." The Ecologist. Climate News Network, 18 May 2011. Web. 01 Dec. 2016.
TUBS. "File:Northern Territory in Australia.svg." File:Northern Territory in Australia.svg - Wikimedia Commons. Wikipidea, 5 Oct. 2011. Web. 26 Nov. 2016.
"Climate: NORTHERN TERRITORY." Climate-Data.org. Climate-Data, 2015. Web. 27 Nov. 2016.
Northern Territory Library. "Save the Dingo." Save the Dingo. Save the Dingoes, 2013. Web. 01 Dec. 2016.
"Parks Australia." Landscapes | Kakadu National Park | Parks Australia. Parks Australia, 2013-2016. Web. 29 Nov. 2016.