Wild Australians

Wetlands are a critical part of the natural environment; they protect shores from wave action, reduce flood impacts, absorb pollutants and improve water quality.

Australia is the driest inhabited continent on earth, with 70% of the land mass declared an arid zone; spanning five million square kilometres, this zone is one of the most exposed areas on the planet.

Australia is an island continent boasting nearly 35,000 kilometres of coastline; humans come to the seaside to relax, but for tens of thousands of species that live and breed on our coast, it's a battleground.

While forests only cover 16% of Australia's land area, they harbour a higher concentration of animal species than anywhere else on the continent.

Cyclones burst upon Australia's tropical coast bringing torrential rain and destruction, while ancient rain forests and coral reefs are destroyed; Aaron Pedersen explains how these ecosystems have evolved and adapted.

Australia is the driest inhabited continent on earth, and severe droughts grip the nation regularly; Aaron Pedersen explains how over millions of years of evolution, Australian life is prepared for these challenges.