Editing Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park (section)

==Biology==

===Flora===
[[File:Wildflowers1218.jpg|thumb|Wildflowers in bloom with Kata Tjuta in the background]]
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park [[flora]] represents a large portion of plants found in Central Australia. A number of these species are considered rare and restricted in the park or the immediate region. There are many rare and [[endemism|endemic]] plants at Uluru and [[Kata Tjuta]]. A number of other species, while found elsewhere in central Australia, may be endangered within the park.

The desert flora has adapted to the harsh conditions. The growth and reproduction of plant communities rely on irregular rainfall. Some plants are able to survive fire and some are dependent on it to reproduce. Plants are an important part of [[Tjukurpa]], and there are ceremonies for each of the major plant foods. Many plants are associated with ancestral beings. Collection of plant foods remains a culturally important activity, reinforcing traditional links with country and Tjukurpa.

Flora in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park can be broken into the following categories:
* Punu – trees
* Puti – shrubs
* {{lang|pjt|Tjulpun-tjulpunpa}} – flowers
* Ukiri – grasses

[[File:Desert Oaks3484.jpg|thumb|Desert oaks with Kata Tjuta in the background]]
Trees such as the [[Acacia aneura|mulga]] and centralian [[bloodwood]] are used to make tools such as spearheads, [[boomerang]]s and bowls. The red [[sap]] of the bloodwood is used as a disinfectant and an inhalant for coughs and colds.

Others such as the [[river red gum]] and [[Duboisia|corkwood trees]] like [[grevillea]] and hakeas are a source of food themselves. The white flaky crust from river red gum leaves can be rolled into balls and eaten like a lolly and the nectar from the flowers of the corkwood trees can produce a sweet drink.

The witchetty bush looks like a shrubby mulga with broad round-ended leaves. Witchetty grubs are found in the roots of this tree.
[[Asteraceae|Daisies]] and other ground flowers bloom after rain and during the winter. Others such as the wattles bloom as spring approaches. Anangu collect wattle seed, crush and mix it with water to make an edible paste which they eat raw. To make [[bush bread|damper]], the seeds are parched with hot sand so their skins can be removed before they are ground for flour.
[[File:Spinifex grass.jpg|thumb|Spinifex grass]]
The prickly hard [[Triodia (plant genus)|spinifex]] hummocks have enormous root systems that prevent desert sands shifting. The hummock roots spread underground beyond the prickly clump and deeply into the soil, forming an immense cone. Anangu use a resin gathered from the gummy spinifex to make [[Spinifex resin|gum]]. They thresh the spinifex until the resin particles fall free. These particles are heated until they fuse together to form a moldable black tar which Anangu work while warm. The gum is used for hunting and working implements, and to mend breaks in stone and wooden implements.

The naked woolybutt and native [[millet]] have seeds that are important Anangu foods. Women rub the seedheads from their stalks and then separate the seeds from the chaff by skilful winnowing. Using grinding stones, they then grind the seeds to flour for damper.

There are several rare and endangered species in the park. Most of them like adder's tongue ferns ([[Ophioglossaceae]] sp.) are restricted to the moist areas at the base of the [[monolith]]s, which are areas of high visitor use and subject to erosion.

Since the first Europeans arrived, 34 exotic plant species have been recorded in the park, representing about 6.4% of the total park flora. Some such as perennial buffel grass (''Cenchrus ciliaris'') were introduced to rehabilitate areas damaged by erosion. It is the most threatening weed in the park and has spread to invade water and nutrient rich drainage lines. Where infestation is dense, it prevents the growth of native grasses – a source of food for animals and humans. A few others such as burrgrass were brought in accidentally, carried on cars and people.

===Fauna===
[[File:Black-footed Rock-wallaby(small).jpg|upright|thumb|Black-footed rock-wallaby (''Petrogale lateralis''), Australia]]
Historically 46 species of native [[mammal]] are known to have been living in the Uluru region; there are currently 21 according to recent surveys. Anangu allege that a decrease in the number has implications for the condition and health of the landscape. Moves are supported for the reintroduction of locally extinct animals such as [[mallee fowl]], [[Brushtailed possum|brushtail possum]], rufous hare [[wallaby]] or ''[[Rufous hare-wallaby|mala]]'', [[bilby]], [[burrowing bettong]] and the [[black-footed rock wallaby]]

The [[mulgara]], the only mammal listed as vulnerable, is mostly restricted to the transitional sandplain area, a narrow band of country that stretches from the vicinity of Uluru, to the northern boundary of the park, and into Ayers Rock Resort. This very important area also contains the [[marsupial mole]], [[woma python]], or kuniya, and great desert skink.

[[File:Brushtail possum.jpg|thumb|left|Brushtail possum, Australia]]
[[File:Perentie Lizard Perth Zoo SMC Spet 2005.jpg|thumb|Perentie lizard, Australia]]

The bat population of the park comprises at least seven species that depend on day roosting sites within caves and crevices of Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Most of the bats forage for aerial [[prey]] within an airspace extending only 100&nbsp;m or so from the rock face.

The park has a very rich reptile fauna of high conservation significance, with 73 species having been reliably recorded. Four species of frog are [[Abundance (ecology)|abundant]] at the base of Uluru and Kata Tjuta following summer rains. The great desert [[skink]] is listed as [[Vulnerable species|vulnerable]].

Anangu continue to hunt and gather animal species in remote areas of the park and on Anangu land elsewhere. Hunting is largely confined to the [[red kangaroo]], Australian [[bustard]], [[emu]] and lizard such as the sand [[goanna]] and [[perentie]].

The pressures exerted by introduced predators and herbivores on the original mammalian fauna of Central Australia were a major factor in the extinction of about 40% of the native species.

Of the 27 mammal species found in the park, six are introduced: the [[house mouse]]; camel; fox; cat; dog; and rabbit. These species are distributed throughout the park but their densities are greatest in the rich water run-off areas of Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Large numbers of rabbits led to the introduction of a rabbit control program in 1989. This has resulted in a great reduction of the rabbit population, a noticeable vegetation recovery and a reduction in [[predator]] numbers. Camels have been implicated in the reduction of plant species, particularly the more succulent species such as the [[quandong]]. The house mouse is a successful invader of disturbed environments and habitats that have lost native rodents. Subjective estimates of cat and fox numbers have been collected in association with the rabbit control program. The national threat abatement programs may provide the framework for controlling them. Anangu knowledge and tracking skills are invaluable in the management of these introduced animals. The park regulations prohibit visitors bringing animals into the park unless they are a [[guide dog]] for the blind or deaf, or a permit is granted by the Director of National Parks.

Iconic birds of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park include the [[pied butcherbird]], [[black breasted buzzard]], [[black-faced woodswallow]] and [[crimson chat]].

===Fire management===
Fires have been a part of central desert land management for thousands of years and have shaped the landscape, habitats, survival of animals and patterns of vegetation. Controlled burning usually takes place during the winter months due to the cooler weather while natural fires mostly occur in the early summer months. They are usually started by the lightning strikes of dry electrical storms from the north west. When the storms arrive the weather is usually hot, dry and windy – conditions ideal for raging fires. Damage can be severe and widespread. Destructive bushfires burnt much of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and luxury accommodation at the Ayers Rock Resort was destroyed in 2002–03.

Traditional burning of the Uluru area stopped when Anangu were driven from the region during the 1930s. During the 1940s rainfall was good and vegetation flourished. The 1950 fire, fed by the fuel grown during the previous 20 years, wiped out about one third of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park's vegetation. The pattern repeated itself and in 1976 two fires burnt 76% of the park. Over the same period more species of medium-sized mammals became extinct around Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Today most fires in the park are lit following land management patterns traditionally practiced by Anangu. Traditional fire and land management skills enable Anangu to burn in a way that will give the desired result. These skills are vital for the preservation of the central Australian ecology.