Editing Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park (section)

==Geography==

===Geology===
[[File:Schema Kata Tjuta Uluru.png|thumb|right|Geologic cross-section of the national park. <br /><small>''This image presents dubious facts, compare Website of www.environment.gov.au "Formation of Uluru-Kata Tjuta" see also [[Talk:Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park|Talk:"Geological Formation"]]''</small>]]
[[File:TreesUpUluru.JPG|thumb|right|A close up view of the crevasses on Uluru]]
These domed rock formations are composed of [[Conglomerate (geology)|conglomerate]], a [[sedimentary]] rock consisting of cobbles and boulders of varying rock types including [[granite]] and [[basalt]], cemented by a matrix of [[sandstone]]. The crevasses are due to erosion, primarily by water. Although it is a dry region, the large area of these domes collects a lot of rainwater, which runs off in steep waterfalls during rain.

From a geological point of view, analysis of Uluru-Kata Tjuta and Watarrka National Parks reveals an awe-inspiring history. 500 million years ago, the entire area was covered by an inland sea and over many centuries, sand and mud fell to the bottom of the sea, creating rock and [[sandstone]]. Kata Tjuta's domes are the eroded remains of sedimentary rock from the seabed, while Uluru is a [[Relict (geology)|relict]] of the coarse grained, mineral-rich sandstone called [[arkose]].

===Climate and seasons===
The park receives an average rainfall of 307.7 millimetres per year. Temperature extremes in the park have been
recorded at {{Convert|45|C}} during the summer and {{Convert|-5|C}} during winter nights. [[UV]] readings on
most extreme summer days reach between 11 and 15.<ref name="Welcome">Welcome to Aboriginal land: Uluru-Kata Tjuta
National Park; visitor guide and maps, Colemans Printing, Darwin, January 2006.</ref> While the Central Australian environment may at first seem stark – a barren landscape supporting spectacular rock formations – closer inspection reveals it as a complex [[ecosystem]], full of life.

Plant and animal life have adapted to the area's extreme conditions and it subsequently supports some of the most unusual flora and fauna on the planet. Many of these have long been a valuable source of [[bush tucker]] and medicine for local [[Indigenous Australian|Aboriginal]] people.
[[File:Australian bush tucker, Alice Springs.jpg|thumb|left|''[[Bush tucker]]'' (bush foods) harvested at Alice Springs Desert Park]]

The Aboriginal Australians recognise six seasons:
# Piryakatu (August/September) – Animals breed and food plants flower
# Wiyaringkupai (October/November) – The really hot season when food becomes scarce
# Itanju- (January/February) Sporadic storms can roll in suddenly
# Wanitjunkupai (March) – Cooler weather
# Tjuntalpa (April/May) – Clouds roll in from the south
# Wari (June/July) – Cold season bringing morning frosts

===Ecology===
[[File:Uluru1 2003-11-21.jpg|thumb|right|An aerial view of Uluru shows its large size]]
The park is ranked as one of the most significant arid land [[ecosystem]]s in the world. As a Biosphere Reserve under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Program, it joins at least 11 other reserves in Australia and an international network aiming to preserve the world's major ecosystem types.