[1][2] Melbourne experiences a temperate oceanic climate (Köppen classification Cfb), characterised by warm summers, mild autumns, cool winters, and variable springs.
The city's weather is famously changeable, largely due to its location between hot inland regions and the cooler Southern Ocean, which brings frequent shifts in air masses.
Additionally, the city’s surrounding bushland areas are more vulnerable to bushfires during dry, hot summer conditions, which have important ecological impacts on vegetation regeneration and habitat availability.
Conversely, drought conditions place stress on local flora and fauna, with reduced soil moisture impacting vegetation growth and increasing competition for water resources among wildlife.
The city is built on a unique blend of volcanic plains, sedimentary formations, and coastal dunes, each contributing to a variety of soil types and landforms that support diverse ecosystems.
Melbourne's native flora is shaped by its diverse climates, soils, and landforms, supporting a range of ecosystems that include grasslands, woodlands, coastal heathlands, and wetlands.
These woodlands provide essential habitat for a wide range of wildlife, including marsupials, diverse bird species, and insects that rely on the trees for shelter and food.
The sparse, open nature of these grasslands allows for abundant sunlight, promoting a range of grasses and wildflowers that are crucial for maintaining soil health, providing habitat for insects, and offering foraging grounds for native birds and small mammals.
These trees and shrubs help stabilise riverbanks, reduce erosion, and create habitat corridors for wildlife, linking isolated patches of native vegetation and supporting local biodiversity.
Native mammals such as the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), and sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) are frequently seen in Melbourne's suburban areas, parks, and reserves.
[7] Melbourne is home to a rich variety of bird species, including the widely recognized Australian magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), which has adapted to urban environments and even engages in complex social behaviours with humans.
Birds of prey, such as the wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax) and peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), are also found in Melbourne’s outskirts, especially in open or mountainous areas.
Wetlands across Melbourne attract waterbirds such as the black swan (Cygnus atratus) and royal spoonbill (Platalea regia), both of which play a role in maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems.
Amphibians like the common eastern froglet (Crinia signifera) and southern brown tree frog (Litoria ewingii) are key indicators of wetland health, with their presence often reflecting the quality of local water sources.
[9] Melbourne’s coastal areas support marine species such as the Australian fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) and bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus), which are frequently sighted along the shoreline and attract significant interest from locals and tourists.
Air quality in Melbourne is generally good, but pollution levels can spike due to factors like vehicle emissions, industrial activity, and seasonal bushfires.
Nutrient pollution, largely from fertilisers and detergents, can lead to eutrophication in rivers and bays, promoting excessive algae growth that depletes oxygen and harms aquatic life.
Heavy metals and pesticides from industrial and agricultural sources also pose risks to both wildlife and human health, as they can accumulate in sediments and bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms.
These efforts involve government agencies, non-profit organisations, local communities, and academic institutions working collaboratively to enhance biodiversity, restore habitats, and mitigate the impacts of urbanisation and climate change.