The character of Australian wetlands

Abstract

Australia is often called the dry continent. With good rains, however, parts of the arid interior can change into large wetlands. These are ephemeral. In the coastal regions, wetlands are usually perennial. Some of these are static in extent but most wetlands have dynamic boundaries. Some wetlands are very big but vastness is not a necessary characteristic. Puddles, pools, and ponds are very small, but nonetheless wetlands.