Physiographic Regions of Australia

The Physiographic Regions of Australia (Pain, Gregory, Wilson and McKenzie 2011) are a modification of those compiled by Jennings and Mabbutt (1977), and are based on a visual interpretation of landforms as expressed on the Shuttle Radar Terrain Mission (SRTM) digital elevation model (DEM). Apart from its descriptive role, a map of physiographic regions provides a regional system of reference for geomorphological and related physical geographical accounts. Through the groupings of physiographic regional characteristics at different levels, the action of underlying controls, for instance geologic or climatic, may be made apparent. Further, the map can provide a regional basis for an understanding of land characteristics that are dependent upon landforms, for example the distribution of soils or natural vegetation. Jennings J.N. and Mabbutt J.A. (1977) Physiographic outlines and regions. In 'Australia, a geography. Volume 1. The natural environment.' (Ed. DN Jeans) (Sydney University Press: Sydney).