Introduction
The Blue Mountains is a mountainous region and ecosystem located within a mountain range in New South Wales. It is within the boundaries of both the Nepean and Hawkesbury Rivers, the Wolgan and Colo Rivers, and the Coxs River to Lake Burragorang. It covers a significant area of 1436 square kilometers. The Blue Mountains is classified as a tourist attraction. It is a place to visit for tourists, locals, and residents of Australia.
Abiotic Factors
An abiotic factor is a non-living essential component of the ecosystem. Several different types of abiotic factors affect the living elements within the ecosystem. These include air, sunlight, water, light, soil, oxygen, climate, and temperature.
Two different types of abiotic factors that can be measured in the Blue Mountains ecosystem are climate and soil.
Climate
The Blue Mountains consist of one million hectares with a variety of cliffs, waterfalls, and canyons. The winds in this area are usually dry. On an annual basis, the Blue Mountains region incurs around 80 days that are clear and 145 cloudy and rainy days. It receives rainfall of 1050mm and 50mm every year. Similarly, the average temperature in summer is around 22 degrees Celsius whilst the average temperature during winter is approximately 2-3 degrees Celsius. Depending on the climate, the Blue Mountain’s ecosystem has around two or three snowfalls every year.
These climatic conditions are somewhat mild. The reason for this is to encourage plant growth and maintenance. This is pivotal especially during spring as this season is classified as the season of growth and nourishment.
Soil
Soil is a contributing factor to the Blue Mountains ecosystem. There is a plethora of soil types that can be found in this region. Depending on the area and location soil differs and is distinguished between rich soil to sandstone ground. For example, in the Mt Tomah region, the soil is fertile and very rich. This is caused by Basalt. Basalt derives from molten rock found deep in the ground. When this is visible to the sun, the basalt rock elements turn into red soil. This red color is produced from high iron. This soil becomes like a fertilizer and is very strong and moist allowing for plant growth to be successful. It also provides a habitat for animals and for different types of plants to grow.
In other regions, the ground is found to be sandstone with granite, basalt, and shales surrounding it. These soils are typically dry, acidic, infertile, and have minimal phosphorus. This means that plant growth in this region is slow and inconsistent which in turn will not allow it to survive.
Biotic Factors
A biotic factor consists of all the living elements that form the ecosystem. This includes flora, fauna, bacteria, and fungi. These elements allow organisms to utilize their survival strategies and allow them to be balanced and feasible. Many biotic factors rely on abiotic factors found in the ecosystem. These factors when joined together are the basis for life and survival.
Two different types of abiotic factors that can be measured in the Blue Mountains ecosystem are flora and fauna.
Flora
The Black-Eyed Susan is a type of plant found in the Blue Mountains. This plant is a shrub that has hairy leaves. Small pink flowers grow on them. Similarly, the Wollemi pine is also classified as one of the oldest and rarest plants. There are less than 100 trees that currently exist in the blue mountain region; with each tree reaching 40 meters in height and a diameter of 1 meter. Furthermore, the Spider Orchid is also a short hairy leaf. This type of plant only grows from August to October and its flowers are coloured yellow and green with a brown petal.
Fauna
The Blue Mountain consists of several animals. These animals are classified as carnivores and herbivores. The following animals are found in the Blue Mountains ecosystem:
- Owl.
- Swamp wallaby.
- Koalas.
- Eastern Grey Kangaroos.
- Large-eared pied bat.
- Green frogs.
Climate change
Climate change is best described as a change in conditions like rainfall and temperature. This is a process where our planet heats up. Climate change will only impact the weather making it unpredictable and unknown. Climate change is caused by increases in temperature and rainfall.
There are many advantages and disadvantages of climate change. An example of an advantage is that there is potential for plants and agriculture to improve their growth and productivity. It also increases vegetation and forest growth which assists in habitation.
Climate change impacts animals, plants, and humans. A negative impact of climate change is that animals are not able to adapt to this sudden and unexpected change. This also impacts water supplies, risks of fire, ecosystem change, increased stresses, and deaths due to the heatwaves and extremely hot weather. This also impacts the environment as rainforests release carbon dioxide due to dry regions. Additionally, climate change results in economic loss and damage including damage to buildings and infrastructures and reduced levels of water supplies. This places consumers and businesses at a risk of economic loss resulting in depression and anxiety. Moreover, human health is also impacted significantly increasing death rates and hospitalization.
Impacts of Bushfires on the Blue Mountains
The smoke that comes from the fire is orbiting the planet and is increasing carbon dioxide emissions. The smoke rising from the fires is being absorbed around the planet, inserting aerosols in the top section of the atmosphere and raising the amount of carbon dioxide. However, the fire can burn and damage various properties such as the blue mountains and communities such as the rainforests that can take more than 100 years to recuperate. This issue can also kill individuals and animals and can also cause erosion and sedimentation of creeks and wetlands. Furthermore, this issue can impact animals in the Blue Mountains region by injuring their habitats and their food sources. The unintended effects of bushfires are more sensitive and contain the social and financial costs of reconstructing damaged organizations as well as environmental effects such as destruction to water drainage and possible effects on the international carbon progression.
In addition, a strategy that can be applied to the bushfire in the Blue Mountain region is fuel reduction to reduce the fuel levels in an indicated area. Also, another strategy is ecological where it attains biological objectives. The use of water drainage defense is used to limit the spread of bushfires in forested water in drainage areas.
Sustainability
Environmental sustainability is the interaction and collaboration with the environment to avoid the reduction and ruin of natural resources and allow for such resources to be sustained.
The positive effects of environmental sustainability are that it helps ensure that the needs of the current population are met. It also does not jeopardize the opportunity for future generations to utilize these natural resources of the planet.
In the past, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have implemented several fire management strategies to reduce the likelihood and chances of a bushfire from occurring. This fire management consists of lighting fires in certain areas that are prone to bushfires during the dry season in March and July.
These mini-fires reduce the fuel loads and create fire breaks. This results in certain areas being burnt and unburnt. This alternative eliminates fuel for bigger fires in the dry season especially when the weather is humid and hot. This is an advantage as it protects the habitat for animals as well as plants.
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Essay on Australia Mountains.
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