Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Management Plan 2021
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Climate change
In recent years global climate change has emerged as a key issue for biodiversity and environmental management. A climate change strategy (DNP 2012) was developed for the park from 2012-15 which identified the following potential impacts:
• pressure on native flora and fauna and impacts on biodiversity
• increased spread of invasive species
• introduction of exotic species
• reduced groundwater and surface water availability
• increased incidence of fire events
• indigenous and cultural impacts
• visitor impacts and human health
• increased pressure on park infrastructure.
A report about the expected effects of climate change on the park (Hyder Consulting 2008) suggested that the park could be affected by increases in average temperatures, more days over 35°C, increases in evaporation and reduced rainfall, resulting in less surface water being available. These impacts may be reduced by managing existing threats to the park’s cultural and natural values and utilising research and
monitoring programs to assess the resilience of species or habitats under changing climatic conditions (see Section 3.1 Knowledge for managing country). Climate change may also have implications for visitor safety and consequently the management of visitor services and facilities (see Section 5.1 Visitor experience and site management).