When we hear that climate change is damaging natural environments, it conjures images of rising seas eroding coastlines, or heatwaves bleaching the Great Barrier Reef. But what about deserts?

In Australia’s red heart, the World Heritage-listed Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park hosts a spectacular array of unique plants and animals, admired by visitors from around the world. This week marks the 41st anniversary of the official handback of Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa to Aṉangu, its traditional custodians.

As joint managers of Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa with Parks Australia, Aṉangu bring tens of thousands of years of accumulated knowledge to caring for these lands. But lately, the local plants – and the animals that depend on them – are dying.

Aṉangu Muṯitjulu Mala Ranger Natalie Ray explains:

When we go out to look around, we see the numbers going down. We don’t know what’s going on in other places in Australia or around the world, but we can see our plants and animals suffering.

When we go out to look around, we see the numbers going down. We don’t know what’s going on in other places in Australia or around the world, but we can see our plants and animals suffering.

What is climate change doing to this special place?

Drought and soaring temperatures

Between 2018 and 2021, the most severe drought on record unfolded at Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa. While there are earlier records of very severe droughts – in the 1880s and mid-1950s to mid-60s –........

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