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Contents 1 Kings Park 2 Swan Coastal Plain 2.1 Geology and physiography 2.2 Flora 2.3 History 2.4 Human geography 2.5 References

[edit] Kings Park

Kings Park (grid reference) is large public park close to central Perth, Western Australia. Mount Eliza, a limestone ridge offering extensive views of the Swan River and city centre, is within the grounds of the park. About two-thirds of the 406ha park has been left its natural bushland state, with the balance dedicated to cultivated gardens and recreation areas, including the Botanic Gardens. Other attractions include the State War Memorial, an elevated tree-top walkway, the DNA tower and a seasonal outdoor cinema.

Sections:

• Geology and Flora
• Memorials
• Features and attractions
• History

http://www.westernaustralia.com/en/search/product.htm?ID=9001401

[edit] Swan Coastal Plain

The Swan Coastal Plain is a low-lying coastal plain on the south-western coast of Australia. It is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the west and the Darling Scarp to the east and is between xkm and ykm wide. The plain extends from the Hill River Scarp to the north and Cape Naturaliste to the south ^[1]. The bulk of the metropolitan area of Perth lies on the Swan Coastal Plain.

The plain forms part of the surface of the Perth Basin, a thick underlying sedimentry basin which extends from the Darling Fault beneath the plain and then ocearnward to the continental shelf ^[2].

Several rivers cross the Swan Coastal Plain, including the Swan, Murray and Moore rivers. Additionally, the plain contains many important lakes, wetlands and estuaries.

• Geology and physiography
• Wetlands
• History
• Human geography
• Flora

[edit] Geology and physiography

The sediments of the Perth Basin are Tertiary and Quaternary in age immediately below Perth and include coquina, travertine and sandy limestones with abundant shelly material. Perth is sited on a set of sand dunes formed during the Pliocene-Pleistocene during the last Ice Age.

Offshore, the sand dune system and surficial deposits transition into a system of partly eroded limestones and sandy limestones. These form a series of drowned cuestas which today form submerged reefs.

Elevations in the Swan coastal plain are generally below 75 m ^[3]. Although the highest points on the plain are generally on the alluvial fans which have formed at the edge of the scarp, there are some isolated limestone outcrops such as Mount Eliza.

(wetlands)

[edit] Flora

tuart woodlands. depending on soil type below

It is dominated by Banksia or Tuart on sandy soils, Casuarina obesa on outwash plains, and Melaleuca in swampy areas. In the east, the plain rises to duricrusted Mesozoic sediments dominated by Jarrah woodland. ([broken link removed])

[edit] History

use by Nyungah aboriginal people, particular importance of wetlands. Settlement of Swan Coastal plain. Not much agriculture or clearing except on alluvial at upper reaches of rivers, due to unsuitable soils.

European settlement began with the establishment of the Swan River Colony by the British in 1829. Although capital of colony (Perth) and port (Fremantle) both on the plain, poor fertility of soils meant little agriculture until much later (further inland).

[edit] Human geography

dominated by the low density sprawl of Perth and its suburbs which extend over much of plain, especially along the coast. Much of rest of plain is dedicated to land-uses associated with Perth's rural-urban fringe (market gardens etc). Bush plan?

[edit] References