Flinders Ranges

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The Flinders Ranges from Devil's Peak

The northern Flindersketten satellite image

The Flinders Ranges (English Flinders Ranges) is a mountain range in the north of the Australian state of South Australia ( South Australia), which is almost 500 km in north-south direction extends. In this region are three national parks: Mount Remarkable National Park in the south, the Vulkathunha -Gammon Ranges National Park to the north and in the center is the Flinders Ranges eponymous for the Flinders Ranges National Park (English Flinders Ranges National Park ), a 912 km ² nature reserve.

Geology and landscape

Geologically, the chain consists of the Precambrian rocks that have an age of up to a billion years. Geological investigations were led by the Australian geologist and polar explorer Sir Douglas Mawson. They provided evidence that Australia was also affected in the Precambrian of an ice age, which had perhaps captures the entire globe ( snowball earth).

Important surveys of Devil's Peak, Mount Remarkable and St. Mary 's Peak. The landscape is characterized by rugged central mountain ridges, deep gorges and sunburned valley plains.

Flora and Fauna

For the flora of the park, eucalyptus -like tree River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis ) is typical. The entire plant world has adapted to the irregular rainfall in the region. The inner walls of Wilpena Pound are equipped with rich vegetation that otherwise is more common in the south. The sheltered location and the mild climate make this possible.

33 of 93 found in South Australia, Acacia species thrive in the Flinders Ranges. In the southern Flinders, the vegetation is lush, because the relatively high rainfall and the varied terrain of the region bring a flora that would otherwise not occur in such variety and luxuriance in the Flinders. Here grow casuarina trees and ferns and orchids.

About 20 species of mammals live in the Flinders, including those introduced by humans goats, rabbits, cats and foxes that damage the bird and plant life. These animals are shot regularly to the preservation of native fauna. Different kangaroo species live in the Flinders Ranges. On the open grass plains are predominantly red kangaroos at home. They come out to graze in the humid valleys and can hardly interfere. Even the rare Yellow-footed rock kangaroos are native to this region, because the Flinders Ranges provide for this Känguruart one of the most important refuges from across Australia dar. In the cool ravines and on water bodies, the rich birdlife focused, she's here numerous with over 100 species represented. 50 species of reptiles also live in the region.