Inter-Relationships

Front 1

Soils and Vegetation
Hint: 6

Back 1

1. Plants produce organic matter - decomposes and becomes humus layer of soil
2. Humus provides nutrients and retains moisture - plants absorb.
3. Vegetation speeds up rock decomposition by breaking up rocks - soil profile becomes deeper.
4. More fertile soils contain a greater range of plants e.g. jarrah are located where soils are gravelly and infertile
5. Clayey soils trap moisture, poor drainage results in water being available to roots for longer.
6. Loams soils can be penetrated easily by moisture and it can be retained for vegetation to consume.

Front 2

Climate and Vegetation
Hint: 6

Back 2

1. Hot, dry summers with extended heatwaves results in plants having xerophytic features e.g. Jarrah have tap roots in order to reach groundwater supply.
2. Heat increases transpiration so plants close stamens, have hard waxy leaves and reduced moisture outlets.
3. More exposure to fire - Banksia seed pods open after fire, Jarrah and Marri epicormic shoots grow quickly, Tuart bark smoulders but doesn't burn.
4.Rainfall affects where vegetation grows e.g. Karri grows where there is 1100mm, Jarrah where there is 600mm
5. Rainfall amount affects canopy cover - more rainfall canopy is closer together and vice versa.
6. Smaller plants in areas of low rainfall as their growth is restricted.

Front 3

Climate and Soils
Hint: 5

Back 3

1. Arid conditions cause slow decomposition of organic matter, lack of moisture and bacteria = humus production takes longer.
2. Dry conditions evaporate moisture in the soil and it becomes hard and heavy, rain needed to sustain vegetation.
3. Calcification of soil occurs when dissolved salts are left behind after evaporation.
4. Dry, sandy soils are susceptible to wind erosion which can result in the fertile top layer being blown away and the topsoil exposed.
5. Darling Scarp soils are more deeply weathered and leached than soils in areas which recieve less rainfall.

Front 4

Landforms and Climate
Hint: 6

Back 4

1. Action of wind, rain and weathering on the Darling Scarp had caused erosion and Pinjarra Plain to be built up.
2. Darling Range has a slight orographic effect, area to the west of the range recieve slightly more than area to the east.
3. Coastal lowlands experience the localised cooling effect of the sea breeze in summer.
4. Darling Ranges have slighty lower average due to elevation (500m)
5. Western and Southern slopes of the Darling Scarp have been dissected by fluvial erosion.
6. Sediment transported from upland areas built up the Swan Coastal Plain.

Front 5

Topography and Soil
Hint: 5

Back 5

1. Soils at the bottom of hill are more fertile due to decaying vegetation being deposited there.
2. Deeper soils at bottom of slope as organic, mineral particles move downslope due to gravity.
3. Water naturally moves downslope - more moisture, more vegetation and depper humus layers at the bottom of slope.
4. Clayey valley floor results from clay easily transported by water & clay accumulates when water comes to rest.
5. Top slope soils more infertile & sandy due to higher exposure to the sun's rays and erosion of top layers.

Front 6

Fauna and Climate
Hint: 3

Back 6

1. In high temp, arid areas animals burrow underground and are noctournal to protect themselves from heat.
2. Breed in Autumn and Spring in response to flower patterns.
3. Reduce water loss through low moisture scats and concentrated excretion.

Front 7

Fauna and Vegetation
Hint: 5

Back 7

1. Fauna had the capacity to digest hard, waxy leaves of the Sclerophyllous forest.
2. Vegetation offers shelter for animals nesting and breeding.
3. Fauna's excretions can assist in the spread of seeds/ plants.
4. Some plant seeds e.g. Snottygobble have to pass throough an animal's digestive tract to be fertilised.
5. Fauna's excretments add nutrients to soil, which is absorbed by plants.