Australia & New Zealand Ecosystem

Students: Nadia A., Jonathan H., Creston H,, Paul K., Summit K., Timothy P.

BIOL 102L-022, Seth Hester

September 14, 2022

Overview

Australia and New Zealand are regions defined by the endemic species that occupy the tropical islands.

Australia is a large and relatively flat continent with varying ecosystems, from their intense deserts, to their vast bushlands, to their beautiful beaches. The continent is well known for it's large variety of organisms and it's profound heat.

New Zealand is much smaller and wetter in comparison, though it makes up for it with it's vast landscapes: mountains, glaciers, lakes and forests. New Zealand is also described as having much milder and cooler weather than Australia.

Despite their differences, their unique flora and fauna set them apart from everywhere else on the planet, making them popular choices for tourists and adventurers.

Ecosystem Information

Australia and New Zealand are home to various types of ecosystems and a diverse group of organisms.

Mycobacterium bovis

Mycobacterium bovis is a bacteria that acts as a pathogen and is the cause of bovine tuberculosis in many species in Australia and New Zealand.

Candida spp.

Candida spp. is a yeast that causes fungal infections that lead to a high associated mortality rate for the immunocompromised.

Lepidium oleraceum

Lepidium oleraceum is an edible herb plant found all over New Zealand and surrounding islands.

Albugo spp.

Albugo spp., more commonly referred to as White Rust, is an infectious parasite that relies on plants to spread and reproduce.

Arctocephalus forsteri

New Zealand Fur Seals are a non-migratory species found on the coastlines of New Zealand and South Australia.

Macrotis lagotis

The Greater Bilbies are small omnivores that occupy the deserts, dunes, and grasslands of Northwestern Australia.

References

Information:

https://saylordotorg.github.io/text_world-regional-geography-people-places-and-globalization/s15-australia-and-new-zealand.html