Publications
Contextualising digital cultural heritage: Bininj GIS and 3D modelling for conservation at Ubirr rock art complex, Kakadu National Park, Australia
A groundbreaking digital approach to cultural heritage conservation at Ubirr rock art complex, Kakadu National Park, demonstrates how 3D modelling and Participatory GIS can amplify Traditional Owner voices while addressing complex management challenges. The study reveals that integrating Indigenous cultural values through photogrammetry and Unreal Engine 5 creates a culturally safe framework for heritage protection, balancing Aboriginal ownership, tourism, and conservation efforts. This methodology sets a precedent for Indigenous communities, cartographers, and practitioners to engage with digital mapping in ways that respect cultural protocols while preserving intangible and tangible heritage values.
Coproduction mechanisms to weave Indigenous knowledge, artificial intelligence, and technical data to enable Indigenous-led adaptive decision making: lessons from Australia’s joint managed Kakadu National Park
A collaborative research project in Kakadu National Park, Australia, demonstrates how Indigenous knowledge can be ethically integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) and technical data to support adaptive environmental management. The study developed coproduction mechanisms that combined qualitative Indigenous assessments of culturally significant sites with quantitative ecological data from drone and camera surveys. These mechanisms enabled local Bininj traditional owners to guide on-the-ground actions, ensuring that multiple knowledge sources were used respectfully and effectively. This approach empowers Indigenous-led decision-making while addressing complex environmental challenges, such as those faced in managing the Ramsar-listed Nardab wetland within a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Double-Differenced dNBR: Combining MODIS and Landsat Imagery to Map Fine-Grained Fire MOSAICS in Lowland Eucalyptus Savanna in Kakadu National Park, Northern Australia
Researchers developed the 'double-differenced dNBR' method, which combines high-resolution Landsat and coarse-scale MODIS/VIIRS imagery to map fine-grained fire mosaics (pyrodiversity) in Kakadu National Park's lowland eucalyptus savannas. This approach enhances contrast by subtracting long-term average dNBR from seasonal Landsat mosaics, effectively addressing the limitations of existing satellite-based fire mapping techniques. The study demonstrates that this method accurately captures pyrodiversity—critical for biodiversity persistence—in homogenous landscapes, though it may not suit heterogeneous areas. Comparison with other fire metrics suggests high accuracy, but further field validation is recommended.
Looking After the Rock Art of Kakadu National Park, Australia
A collaborative, decolonized approach to rock art conservation in Kakadu National Park demonstrates that centering Indigenous culture and traditional knowledge can enhance the protection of significant Aboriginal heritage. The study highlights how a partnership between Traditional Owners, park staff, and specialists integrates Western scientific techniques with Aboriginal stewardship practices, guided by Elders' voices. This co-designed program fosters intergenerational knowledge exchange through reconnecting families to Country, improving conservation skills among local communities and rangers. By prioritizing culture over conventional methods, the model advances best practices for preserving rock art (bim), ensuring its enduring legacy while strengthening cultural connections.
Understanding Indigenous values and priorities for wetlands to guide weed management actions: Lessons from the Nardab floodplain in northern Australia’s Kakadu National Park
Indigenous-led research on the Nardab floodplain in Kakadu National Park reveals that effective weed management must account for diverse, site-specific cultural values and priorities. The study found that relationships between Indigenous peoples and wetlands vary significantly across even small areas, necessitating tailored approaches to conservation rather than generalized strategies. Key factors guiding management included bush tucker populations, ceremonial significance, knowledge-sharing potential, and visitor experiences. This approach ensures that ecological restoration aligns with the cultural landscapes embedded in Indigenous Country, offering a model for inclusive wetland management in World Heritage Areas.
An Analysis of Motif Clusters at the Nanguluwurr Rock Art Site, Kakadu National Park, N. T. Australia
Recent analysis of Nanguluwurr, a rock art site within Kakadu National Park's Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) complex, reveals distinct clusters of motifs—spirit figures, material culture, fish, and painted hands—suggesting 'meaning clusters' that may reflect bursts of painting activity spanning millennia. The study identifies these motif groupings as significant markers of cultural expression, linking ancient Dynamic Figures to more recent X-ray fish depictions. By examining spatial distribution and chronological sequences, researchers propose that the site's artistry evolved in discrete phases, offering insights into its role within a broader cultural landscape.
Indigenous-led responsible innovation: lessons from co-developed protocols to guide the use of drones to monitor a biocultural landscape in Kakadu National Park, Australia
Indigenous-led responsible innovation protocols for drone use in Kakadu National Park demonstrate how traditional worldviews can guide ethical technological integration. These protocols empower Indigenous governance, foster trusted research relationships, and enable ongoing Indigenous-led technological advancement. Applied at Jarrangbarnmi, a biocultural landscape owned by the Jawoyn people, the protocols ensure that cultural responsibilities for knowledge sharing and stewardship inform the co-design of innovations like drones. This approach offers a model for adaptive co-management of Indigenous lands, balancing technological progress with deep cultural values.
No mammal recovery from feral cat experimental exclusion trials in Kakadu National Park
A four-year experimental trial in Kakadu National Park found no significant recovery of small and medium-sized native mammals following the exclusion of feral cats, despite their known role as a major threat. The study compared predator-free plots with those allowing cat access, alongside the effects of frequent fire, between 2013 and 2017. While cat predation was expected to suppress populations, results showed no evidence of mammal population recovery in response to exclusion. Additionally, frequent burning appeared to negatively impact native mammal diversity independently of cat presence. These findings suggest that management strategies focusing solely on feral cat suppression may be insufficient for reversing ongoing declines in tropical savanna ecosystems, where fire and introduced herbivores also significantly impede recovery.
How 3D models (photogrammetry) of rock art can improve recording veracity: a case study from Kakadu National Park, Australia
A digital inventory derived from Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry of rock art at the Blue Paintings site in Kakadu National Park, Australia, was found to be slightly less comprehensive than traditional field recordings but did not significantly impact interpretation. The study compared two field inventories with a digitally-derived one and ground-truthed the results, revealing that while some unidentified lines and blotches were missed by the digital method, human interpretation remained a key factor in inventory accuracy regardless of the recording approach.
New Insights into the Rock Art of Anbangbang Gallery, Kakadu National Park
A groundbreaking study of Anbangbang Gallery in Kakadu National Park challenges long-held assumptions about the chronology and conservation of Australian rock art. By integrating advanced technologies like pXRF analysis with traditional archaeological methods and oral histories, researchers uncovered evidence of extensive retouching and repainting of earlier imagery, reshaping our understanding of artistic practices and site narratives. This re-evaluation has significant implications for ongoing conservation efforts in the region, prompting a reconsideration of how recent rock art is interpreted and preserved.
The Eophreatoicus Nicholls, 1926 species flock from Kakadu and Arnhem Land, with a description of a new genus of Amphisopidae (Crustacea : Isopoda : Phreatoicidea)
A groundbreaking taxonomic treatment reveals the extraordinary biodiversity of microendemic isopods (Amphisopidae) in Kakadu National Park and Arnhem Land, Australia. Researchers describe 28 new species, including a novel genus, Kakadubeh, distinguished by its unique reproductive strategy—males are smaller than females and lack specialized limbs for precopula, unlike related species. Genetic and morphological analyses confirm that these species, some occurring within kilometers of each other, have ancient origins tied to the Arnhem sandstone plateau's geological history. While currently unthreatened due to protected habitats and cryptic behaviors, their reliance on permanent groundwater springs poses risks from climate change and hydrological alterations. This study underscores Australia's untapped biodiversity and the need for conservation efforts in unexplored regions.
Historical perspectives on the mangroves of Kakadu National Park
Recent research reveals significant redistribution and dieback of mangroves in Kakadu National Park. While net area changes have been minor, lower-stature mangrove species like Avicennia marina and Sonneratia alba have shown substantial shifts due to inland intrusion and seaward colonization. Aerial surveys conducted in 2016 confirmed widespread dieback, with RapidEye data indicating this occurred between late 2015 and 2016, coinciding with broader mangrove losses in the Gulf of Carpentaria. The study, utilizing historical aerial photography, CASI imagery, LIDAR, and RapidEye data, underscores the need for enhanced long-term monitoring to protect these critical coastal ecosystems.
Out of the frying pan: Reintroduction of toad‐smart northern quolls to southern Kakadu National Park
A reintroduction effort of northern quolls (Dasyurus hallucatus) to Kakadu National Park, where invasive cane toads (Rhinella marina) pose a significant threat, revealed critical insights into species survival and conservation strategies. The study found that quolls conditioned with taste aversion training to avoid toxic toads survived significantly longer than unconditioned individuals, with some even recorded mating. However, predator aversion training proved less effective, as dingo predation accounted for substantial mortality among the reintroduced quolls. This suggests that while behavioral conditioning can mitigate immediate threats like cane toads, long-term survival is hindered by other ecological pressures, such as predation and potential loss of predator-avoidance behaviors in isolated populations. These findings underscore the complexity of reintroduction efforts for endangered species and highlight the need for comprehensive strategies addressing multiple ecological challenges.
Small mammals decline with increasing fire extent in northern Australia: evidence from long-term monitoring in Kakadu National Park
A decade-long study in Kakadu National Park, Australia, reveals that small mammal populations decline significantly with increasing fire extent, rather than just fire frequency or patchiness. Fire extent—a measure combining fire size and frequency—was the strongest predictor of mammal declines, surpassing other metrics like the proportion of surrounding area burnt. Large, less patchy fires, which exceed the home range scales of small mammals, are particularly detrimental, suggesting limited escape options for these species. Despite ongoing management efforts, current fire regimes remain harmful to native mammals, underscoring the need for more targeted strategies to reduce fire size and mitigate biodiversity loss.
Predicting Visitor Satisfaction in Parks: Comparing the Value of Personal Benefit Attainment and Service Levels in Kakadu National Park, Australia
A key insight from this study is that the benefits visitors attain during their experience—such as those derived from nature and relaxation—are stronger predictors of overall satisfaction with Kakadu National Park than traditional measures of service quality. The research compares two approaches: assessing visitor service quality and measuring the attainment of perceived benefits, revealing that the latter has a more significant impact on positive responses to park visits. Factor analysis identified distinct types of benefits, which showed varying correlations with satisfaction based on visitors' proximity to the park. This finding suggests that park managers should prioritize creating experiences that facilitate the attainment of desired benefits, rather than solely focusing on service quality improvements.
Monitoring indicates rapid and severe decline of native small mammals in Kakadu National Park, northern Australia
A rapid and severe decline of native small mammals has been documented in Kakadu National Park, northern Australia, challenging the assumption that its mammal fauna remained intact. Over a 13-year study (1996–2009), species richness and total abundance decreased by 54% and 71%, respectively, with 10 out of 25 recorded species showing significant declines. The most pronounced losses were observed in northern quoll, fawn antechinus, northern brown bandicoot, common brushtail possum, and pale field-rat. The study employed consistent sampling across plots representing environmental variation and fire regimes, using regression analysis and Wilcoxon matched-pairs tests to assess change. Declines correlated with increased fire frequency, suggesting that too frequent fires, predation by feral cats, and cane toad invasion may be contributing factors. These findings indicate a major conservation crisis in northern Australia, comparable to the losses seen elsewhere on the continent.
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