Hannah Gerstmyer
There is a range of climates occurring across the Eastern Highlands. This is the main factor contributing to the diversity of flora and fauna found there. The plants and wildlife have adapted to suit the landscape and climate of their habitat.
Towards the north, in areas such as Barrington Tops, the climate is warm and the weather is similar to Sydney’s, so species found here have special adaptations to cope with hot temperatures. Rough tree ferns (Cyathea australis) and Gum trees (Eucalyptus) are both examples of plant species that have done this.
Rough tree ferns have a large trunk and root system. Their root system is what allows them to survive the harshness of direct sunlight. Excess water absorbed by the roots makes the tree wet, keeping it cool and preventing damage from the sun.
Gum trees have adapted to be able to cope with hot temperatures by pointing their leaves downwards. This minimises direct exposure to the sun. They also store dormant plant shoots inside their trunks. This means that when a bushfire damages the tree, it will be able to survive by releasing the unharmed shoots.
Mount Kosciuszko National Park is in the southern region of the Eastern highland. Snow is common here and poses a challenge for most Australian species of flora and fauna. Gum trees have made yet another adaptation to cope with this challenge. Their branches are strong enough to hold up the weight of snow, preventing it from freezing the tree's roots.
Fauna's adaptations to survive the snow include hibernation and thick coats of fur. The mountain pygmy possum has both of these adaptations. As well as allowing it to live in cold regions, the adaptations separate it from other possum species. Unlike the mountain pygmy possum, the common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) spends its time almost exclusively in the abundance of trees found in the northern areas of the Eastern Highlands. This possum uses a prehensile tail that it has adapted to assist its movement through the trees.
Other significant species found in the Eastern Highlands include the Corroboree frog, the Superb Lyrebird, Banksias, wildflowers and Acacia trees.
Towards the north, in areas such as Barrington Tops, the climate is warm and the weather is similar to Sydney’s, so species found here have special adaptations to cope with hot temperatures. Rough tree ferns (Cyathea australis) and Gum trees (Eucalyptus) are both examples of plant species that have done this.
Rough tree ferns have a large trunk and root system. Their root system is what allows them to survive the harshness of direct sunlight. Excess water absorbed by the roots makes the tree wet, keeping it cool and preventing damage from the sun.
Gum trees have adapted to be able to cope with hot temperatures by pointing their leaves downwards. This minimises direct exposure to the sun. They also store dormant plant shoots inside their trunks. This means that when a bushfire damages the tree, it will be able to survive by releasing the unharmed shoots.
Mount Kosciuszko National Park is in the southern region of the Eastern highland. Snow is common here and poses a challenge for most Australian species of flora and fauna. Gum trees have made yet another adaptation to cope with this challenge. Their branches are strong enough to hold up the weight of snow, preventing it from freezing the tree's roots.
Fauna's adaptations to survive the snow include hibernation and thick coats of fur. The mountain pygmy possum has both of these adaptations. As well as allowing it to live in cold regions, the adaptations separate it from other possum species. Unlike the mountain pygmy possum, the common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) spends its time almost exclusively in the abundance of trees found in the northern areas of the Eastern Highlands. This possum uses a prehensile tail that it has adapted to assist its movement through the trees.
Other significant species found in the Eastern Highlands include the Corroboree frog, the Superb Lyrebird, Banksias, wildflowers and Acacia trees.