Boom and Dust

In issue 152 of Australian Geographic Magazine, my article is about the incredible breeding events that the flooding of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre triggers.

For the majority of the time Australia’s inland is dusty and dry. Almost 20% of the continent is desert, receiving less than 150mm of annual rainfall on average, but despite its harsh, arid nature, Australia’s arid inland supports over 200 bird species. Certain species exhibit large fluctuations in population numbers, others are highly nomadic, travelling great distances in search of new food and water sources, while some stay within a short flight of farm dams and other artificial water sources.

Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, located in the north-east of South Australia, is the lowest natural place on the surface of Australia (around 15 metres below sea level), and is Australia’s largest salt lake. It is located within the 1.2 square kilometre Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre Basin, which, although endorheic, can be arid for consecutive years.