Publications
Mortality rates of desert vegetation during high‐intensity drought at Uluru‐Kata Tjuta National Park, Central Australia
A severe drought from 2018 to 2021 caused widespread plant mortality at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, with species-specific death rates ranging from 91% for desert myrtle to 0% for quandong. The study, conducted in 2021 by indigenous rangers, scientists, and national parks staff, used spatially randomized quadrat sampling of eight common plants to assess dieback. Record-low rainfall (27 mm in 2019) and extreme heat (47.1°C in December 2019) were key drivers of mortality, with minimal seedling recruitment observed except for soft spinifex grass. A generalized linear mixed model revealed interactions among species, plant size, and stand density as critical predictors of survival. The findings suggest significant biodiversity loss and vegetation restructuring under future climate change scenarios.
Closing the climb: refusal or reconciliation in Ulu r u-Kata Tju t a National Park?
The permanent closure of the Uluru Climb in Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, Australia, marked a significant shift in reconciliation efforts between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians. The decision, made by the Anangu Board of Management, sparked diverse reactions from visitors, reflecting ongoing colonial discourses around nationalism and individual rights. Through qualitative research involving two fieldwork periods (2012 and 2019), the study identified emotional responses such as ownership, empathy, and shame among visitors, which hold potential for transforming perspectives on cultural restrictions and reconciliation. The research underscores the importance of relational ethics in fostering affective change, offering insights into the complexities of reconciliation within settler-colonial contexts.
A Journey to the Heart: Affecting Engagement at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Interpretive signage in Ulu r u-Kata Tju t a National Park reflects a hierarchical valuation of places, often prioritizing colonial/settler and natural heritage narratives over Indigenous perspectives. This study reveals that such signage may alienate contemporary communities by adopting a detached, scientific tone that distances visitors from lived cultural experiences. Through textual analysis, the research demonstrates how affective engagement—emotional connection to country and history—can be both constrained or fostered depending on interpretive strategies. The findings highlight the need for more inclusive storytelling in protected areas to bridge the gap between Indigenous heritage and public interpretation.
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