The Vegetation of Western Australia

Abstract

The State of Western Australia lies between 14 and 35 degrees South latitude. About two thirds lies to the south of the tropic of Capricorn, so that it comes within the tropical and South warm temperate zones. Climatically the greater part of the area comes under the influence of the trade winds, which, blowing from the south east or more correctly the east south east, over the continent-have a desiccating effect over much of the territory under consideration. The northern quarter of Western Australia experiences a submonsoonal summer rainfall alternating with a long period of winter drought, while the southern quarter, especially the south western quarter, experiences a winter rainfall due to the northern movement in winter of the thermal equator, and this in turn alternates with a long period of summer drought. Only in the extreme south west is there any amelioration of these conditions, and here the winter season is more prolonged.