Identifying drought refuges for terrestrial species in the Cooper Basin

This task is particularly challenging during dry periods because many species of arid-adapted Australian vertebrates do not need to drink water. Therefore, through a variety of physiological adaptations, their occurrence and distribution is decoupled from the availability of surface water.

This situation precludes the use of standard methods – such as remote sensing to develop indices of ‘greeness’ or similar – to locate them.

Researchers will build on the extensive knowledge we already have of aquatic environments and use that to better manage
terrestrial environments during natural gas exploration and development in the region.

In particular, the study seeks to transfer the concept of drought refuges from freshwater environments to the land, and to develop this approach to better manage the land and its biodiversity.