Climate change could turn more salt lakes pink, dry up others in Western Australia
The striking pink lakes of southern Western Australia attract thousands of tourists, but experts say a warming climate could affect the longevity and number of pink lakes across the state. They're calling for more research to see what can be done about declining rainfall which poses the biggest threat to the attractions.
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00:00 From the air you can see the true beauty of these salt lakes.
00:06 WA is home to several pink lakes, attracting visitors from near and far.
00:12 The colour, stopping people in their tracks.
00:15 "It's beautiful, beautiful.
00:17 Takes a good photo.
00:18 Very unique.
00:19 I've not seen anything like it at all."
00:20 But a salt lake expert says as the climate continues to change, so too will the lakes.
00:27 "As winter rainfall declines, we're expecting that these lakes are going to receive less
00:30 water and hold water for shorter periods of time."
00:34 The science behind the lakes turning pink is complex.
00:37 "This biodiversity is unmatched and it is really at risk and there is a real need to
00:42 do further study on these animals because there is not enough that we know about their
00:46 ecology which has important implications for their conservation."
00:50 Drier conditions inland could lead to some of these lakes drying up and others becoming
00:55 saline and turning pink.
00:57 "And they're really important sources of food for a variety of different wading bird species
01:02 that might fly for thousands of kilometres to come and take advantage of these systems
01:08 when they receive water."
01:10 As scientists grapple with the changing climate and what that means for lakes like these,
01:15 traditional owners are also hoping to raise awareness of their cultural significance.
01:21 "These lakes were a resource, a water resource for whenever there were walkabout on country."
01:33 A resource scientists and Indigenous people want to see protected and preserved.
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