Other religions include Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam. Educational attainment in both countries is relatively high in comparison with other OECD countries. In , The environment for philanthropy in Australia and New Zealand is generally good. Many plants and animals reached the islands from southern Asia during the last glacial period , when sea levels were low enough to allow for travel.
After sea levels rose, species adapted to the environment of each island or community of islands, producing multiple species that evolved from a common ancestor. Due to its isolation from the rest of the world, Australia and Oceania has an incredibly high number of endemic species, or species that are found nowhere else on Earth.
Plants traveled between islands by riding wind or ocean current s. Birds carried the seeds of fruits and plants and spread them between islands with their droppings. Ferns, mosses, and some flowering plants rely on spores or seeds that can remain airborne for long distances. Coconut palms and mangroves, common throughout Australia and Oceania, produce seeds that can float on salty water for weeks at a time.
Important flowering plants native to Australia and Oceania include the jacaranda, hibiscus, pohutukawa, and kowhai. Other indigenous trees include the breadfruit, eucalyptus, and banyan. Birds are very common in Australia and Oceania because they are one of the few animals mobile enough to move from island to island.
There are more than endemic bird species in Australia and Oceania, including many seabirds. Many flightless birds, such as emus, kiwis, cassowaries, wekas, and takahes, are native to Australia, Papua New Guinea, and New Zealand. The Pacific Islands have more than 25 species of birds of paradise, which exhibit colorful plumage. Lizard species include the goanna, skink, and bearded dragon. Australia and Oceania has more than a hundred different species of fruit bats. The few native land animals in Australia and Oceania are unusual.
Australia and Oceania is the only place in the world that is home to monotreme s—mammals that lay eggs. All monotremes are native to Australia and Papua New Guinea. There are only five living species: the duckbill platypus and four species of echidna. Many of the most familiar animals native to Australia and Oceania are marsupial s, including the koala, kangaroo, and wallaby. Marsupials are mammals that carry their newborn young in a pouch.
Almost 70 percent of the marsupials on Earth are native to Oceania. The rest are native to the Americas.
In Australia and Oceania, marsupials did not face threats or competition from large predator s such as lions, tigers, or bears. In the Americas, marsupials such as possums are much smaller. Marine Flora and Fauna The marine environment is an important and influential physical region in Australia and Oceania. Marine realm s are large ocean regions where animal and plant life are similar because of shared environmental and evolutionary factors.
The Temperate Australasia realm includes the seas surrounding the southern half of Australia and the islands of New Zealand. Its cold, nutrient -rich waters support a diversity of plants and fish that seabirds feed on.
These seabirds include different species of albatross, petrel, and shearwater, as well as the Australasian gannet and rockhopper penguin. The Great Barrier Reef is home to 30 species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises; six species of sea turtles; species of birds; and more than 1, species of fish. The south eastern Australian coastline has a mild mediterranean climate. In New Zealand, however, the climate ranges from subtropical in the North to temperate in the South, with snowfall in the higher regions of the southern island.
The Pacific Ocean islands mainly have a tropical climate, so it is warm and humid all year round. These are some of the wettest places in the world where there is six times more rainfall than in England. Traditional tribes often also believe in spirits and natural forces. Rugby is the most popular sport in the region. In Australia, the national sport is cricket.
Australian Indigenous rock art has the longest art tradition in the world. Aboriginal paintings in Arnhem Land date back more than 60, years and this art form is still practised by indigenous people in Australia. As writing forms were not explored, their artistic expression was mainly consisting of paintings and carvings.
Our Poland Facts for Kids share interesting facts about Poland, geography, country and famous Polish people, food, attractions and so much more. Our South Korea Facts for Kids provide interesting and fun facts to know about this Asian country, South Korean people, economy, food, landmarks and much more. Here they are! However, increasing pressures from growing populations, extractive industries, infrastructure developments and invasive species are increasing the risk of biodiversity loss in many countries.
The countries and territories of the Pacific Islands have also made progress in recent years in building environmental governance and policy. Our Team in Oceania Strategic Engagement.
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