Climate change corrupting natural cues

4 Jul 2012, 1:26 pm   -   Source: AAP

Natural cues Aboriginal people rely on to signal changes in their land are becoming corrupted by climate change, an inquiry has been told.

Climate change is corrupting natural cues Aborigines have traditionally relied on in northern Australia to find food, an inquiry has been told.

On Wednesday a House of Representatives inquiry into how climate change may impact biodiversity in Australia heard evidence in Darwin.

Peter Whitehead, an expert in indigenous peoples land management, told the inquiry that as well as impacting on the environment, climate change appeared to be changing Aboriginal people's relationship with their lands.

He said an ecological event that previously would have indicated a relationship to a food source may no longer function in the same way as climate change takes hold.

"The flowering of a plant that previously signalled the laying of crocodile nests might not work so well together any more," Dr Whitehead said.

He said indigenous people talked about their knowledge of the land being corrupted.

"There is a reliance on the relationships amongst different events to make good use of the land," Dr Whitehead said.

"These changes in climate are breaking down some of those relationships."

He said there were reports this breakdown in the relationship was already underway.

The inquiry also heard from Alaric Fisher, the executive director of the biodiversity conservation division at the Northern Territory's Department of Natural Resources, Environment the Arts and Sport.

Dr Fisher warned climate change was likely to impact on the NT, and could make existing threats like introduced weeds and feral animals, more of a problem.

Asked whether wetlands hurt by rising sea water levels could retreat further and animals could adapt, he said that didn't appear likely because flood plains butted up against elevated land.

"Essentially they are drowning river valleys and flats," Dr Fisher said.

He also warned that pastoralists could be hit by the impacts of climate change, due to changes in pasture composition and yields and feed impacts on stock.

"The management of those is a big issue for the future," he said.

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