A closer look at Boolcoomatta
Results of the study are particularly important given the recent few years of severe drought in semi-arid Australia. These conditions were felt intensely on Boolcoomatta where rainfall totals of 89.2mm and 56.3mm were recorded in 2018 and 2019 respectively, in comparison to the mean annual rainfall of 190mm.
In addition, the estimated population densities of kangaroos, specifically Red Kangaroos, present on Boolocomatta over these two years reached unsustainable levels of up to greater than 30 kangaroos per km².
As a result, the reserve's biodiversity suffered. There was very little perennial grass which had a negative effect on a range of other species that rely on vegetation cover and seed to survive such as granivorous birds, small mammals and reptiles.