The great sandy desert
The Great Sandy Desert is a desert located in the North West of Western Australia it is between the Pilbara and southern Kimberley regions. It is the second largest desert in
Australia after the Great Victoria Desert and encompasses an area of
284,993 square kilometres. The Gibson Desert lies to the south and the Tanami Desert lies to the East of the Great Sandy Desert.
Australia after the Great Victoria Desert and encompasses an area of
284,993 square kilometres. The Gibson Desert lies to the south and the Tanami Desert lies to the East of the Great Sandy Desert.
climate
Great Sandy Desert experiences exceptionally high daytime temperatures and overnight temperatures along with far below average humidity levels. Numbers of clear days are above average and wind speed and rainfall is below average. Numbers of cloudy days are average. The Great Sandy Desert has a wet and dry season. The wet season in Great Sandy Desert begins around November and ends around May. Over the course of the wet season, Great Sandy Desert receives around 307.8mm of rain. In the dry season from June to October, less than 39.7mm of rain falls in
total. Temperatures in the wet season average between 29.2 and 38.8OC during
the day and 15.6 and 25.2OC overnight. Temperatures in the dry season
average between 26.2 and 36.9OC during the day and 11.8 and
22.2OC at night.
total. Temperatures in the wet season average between 29.2 and 38.8OC during
the day and 15.6 and 25.2OC overnight. Temperatures in the dry season
average between 26.2 and 36.9OC during the day and 11.8 and
22.2OC at night.
Flora and fauna
Most of the Great Sandy Desert is dominated by spinifex. Spinifex has traditionally had many uses for Aborigines. The seeds were collected and ground to make seedcakes. Spinifex resin was an important adhesive used in making spears. Smoke signals were made to communicate with families and groups a long distance away, as burning spinifex produces a strong black smoke. Bunched together it can be used for trapping fish.
The Great Sandy's wildlife population is concentrated around wetlands and lakes. It includes some 150 to 200 bird species, more than six dozen reptile species, at least some three dozen mammal species as well as numerous other wildlife forms. Some species occur nowhere else these include the great desert skink, a gecko, several burrowing frogs, a scorpion, an earthworm and a land snail. Unfortunately, native wildlife and plants are threatened by various invasive species, many of them imported by European and other settlers during the 19th century such as foxes, camels and rabbits.
The Great Sandy's wildlife population is concentrated around wetlands and lakes. It includes some 150 to 200 bird species, more than six dozen reptile species, at least some three dozen mammal species as well as numerous other wildlife forms. Some species occur nowhere else these include the great desert skink, a gecko, several burrowing frogs, a scorpion, an earthworm and a land snail. Unfortunately, native wildlife and plants are threatened by various invasive species, many of them imported by European and other settlers during the 19th century such as foxes, camels and rabbits.
people and cultures
The region is not very populated. The main population is made up of Indigenous Australians. There are two main tribes; Martu in the west and Pintupi to the east. Many of these indigenous people were forced from their lands during the 20th century and relocated to settlements such as Papunya in the Northern Territory. Recently,some of the original inhabitants have returned. Young . Indigenous adults from the Great Sandy Desert region travel to and work in the Wilurarra Creative programs to maintain and develop their culture.