Professional Documents
Culture Documents
We come to know natural environments in many different ways... Experiential, historical, ecological, social, and economic.
Key Concept
There are different ways that humans relate to natural environments. The different ways to encounter and understand a specific natural environment visited are Ecological perspectives
Social and historical perspectives Economical perspectives As a tourist Through experience (experientially)
Ecological perspectives
Australia used to be part of a larger landmass called Gondwana. It broke up over millions of years and through a process called Continental Drift, the continents drifted away from each other.
Ecological perspectives
Australia used to be situated in the Antarctic circle until approximately 50 million years ago. As it drifted from a cold dry location into warmer and wetter climate, the flora (plant life) and fauna (animal life) adapted. We come to know natural environments from an ecological perspective by knowing their unique physical features.
Ecosystem
Alps Grasslands Heathlands Mallee Dry forest/woodland s Wet forest/rain forest Coast Inland waters/wetlands Intertidal/rocky shores Subtidal rocky reefs Seagrass beds
Special feature
Animals
Plants
Economical perspectives
In Australias society there is a constant debate about the economy and its impact on the environment.
Technological advances have improved
Communications Farming Production Manufacturing
Economical perspectives
The industries gluttonous approach to energy consumption and throw away (instead of recycle) attitude have severely impacted on our natural environments.
Natural resources have been and continue to be exploited, some almost to extinction (sealing).
Tasmanias forests provide the economy with..
Forest management Harvesting Haulage Saw milling Timber processing and the manufacture of wood products
Economical perspectives
Watch the story of stuff Learning Activity 1.38 Find out why the following natural resources are important for society and the economy. Forests Water Fisheries Minerals What is a sustainable industry? Identify a natural resource industry that is sustainable - explain your answer.
As a tourist
The tourism industry provides ample opportunities for people to experience places through various different means e.g. sight seeing, activities, guided tours.
Do you think that a city tourist on a bus, who does a day-trip knows Wilsons Promontory as well as you do?