🇦🇺 Burning to save Australia's Western Desert - earthrise (feature)

Summary

This video explores the return of traditional Indigenous fire management practices to Australia’s Western Desert, focusing on the Maru people's efforts to restore their ancestral lands. For thousands of years, controlled burning was essential in preventing wildfires and maintaining biodiversity. After being displaced by colonization, the Maru are reclaiming their cultural heritage, significantly reducing wildfire intensity and reviving ecosystems. Through the use of ancient burning methods and collaboration with ranger programs, they are protecting endangered species and sustaining the delicate balance of the arid environment.

Takeaways

• 😀 Australia is one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth, with a rich ecosystem managed for thousands of years by its Indigenous peoples.
• 😀 Traditional small-scale burning by Indigenous people has been a key practice for maintaining the ecosystem, but this was disrupted after colonization.
• 😀 Since the forced displacement of Indigenous people, large wildfires have become more frequent and destructive in Australia, aggravated by climate change.
• 😀 The Maru people, Indigenous to Western Australia, have seen significant environmental changes since they were removed from their ancestral lands in the 1960s, including the loss of 18 animal species.
• 😀 Recent wildfires in Maru country have been massive, burning millions of hectares, with fire events becoming more extreme due to climate conditions like heavy rain and grass growth.
• 😀 Fire management practices that include traditional Indigenous knowledge of fire have been revitalized in recent years to reduce the impact of wildfires.
• 😀 In 2002, the Maru people regained Native Title over their land, which led to the creation of a ranger program to continue traditional fire management practices.
• 😀 Traditional fire management techniques involve controlled burns that create firebreaks, preventing large, uncontrollable wildfires from spreading.
• 😀 Rangers, many of whom are from the Maru community, are working to reintroduce and monitor native species like the bilby and black-flanked rock wallaby, which are endangered due to habitat loss and fires.
• 😀 The return of Indigenous fire management practices has led to a noticeable reduction in the size and intensity of wildfires, aiding in the recovery of ecosystems and wildlife.
• 😀 Indigenous fire management is a critical component of restoring and preserving Australia’s ecosystems, with over 100 Indigenous ranger groups now working across the country to restore more than 67 million hectares of land.

Q & A

What role has fire traditionally played in Australia's ecosystems?

Fire has been an integral part of maintaining Australia's ecosystems, with Indigenous peoples using small-scale burning practices for tens of thousands of years to manage the land and promote biodiversity.

How has colonization affected the management of fire in Australia?

Since colonization, many Indigenous people have been forced off their land, leading to a loss of traditional fire management practices. This absence has contributed to the increase in large, uncontrolled wildfires, which have become more frequent and severe due to climate change.

What is the current situation regarding wildfires in Western Australia?

In Western Australia, mega fires have devastated large areas of land, with some fires burning up to two and a half million hectares. These extreme wildfires are exacerbated by increased rainfall and grass growth in the summer, which creates a highly vulnerable landscape.

How are the Maru people addressing the wildfire problem in their ancestral lands?

The Maru people are reviving their traditional fire practices, such as dry-season burning, to reduce the risk of large wildfires. These practices, which involve controlled small burns, help prevent massive fires by creating fire breaks and promoting healthy regrowth of native flora and fauna.

What are fire breaks, and why are they important for wildfire management?

Fire breaks are areas where vegetation is intentionally burned or cleared to create gaps that prevent the spread of wildfires. They are crucial for stopping large fires by limiting the fuel available for flames to travel across, particularly in areas prone to lightning strikes and storms.

How does traditional fire management help with biodiversity conservation?

By using controlled burns, traditional fire management helps maintain a mix of habitats that are vital for the survival of native species. This practice promotes the regrowth of plants and provides habitats for animals, like the bilby, which depend on specific environmental conditions.

What is the role of the rangers in Maru country, and how do they use traditional knowledge?

Rangers in Maru country are responsible for monitoring and conserving wildlife, including endangered species. They use traditional knowledge passed down by elders, such as Walker, who remembers hunting with fire. This knowledge guides their fire management practices and helps protect the land and its inhabitants.

Why are the Maru people focusing on the protection of the bilby and black-flanked rock wallaby?

The bilby and black-flanked rock wallaby are endangered species that have been significantly impacted by the absence of traditional fire management. By protecting these animals and their habitats through monitoring and fire practices, the Maru people aim to reverse some of the damage caused by large wildfires and human activities.

How have large-scale wildfires affected mammal species in Australia?

Australia has the worst rates of mammal extinction in the world, and large-scale wildfires have contributed significantly to this crisis. The destruction of habitats and the disruption of ecosystems have led to the disappearance of many species, including the bilby.

What impact has the return of the Maru people had on wildfire management in their country?

Since the return of the Maru people to their ancestral lands, where they have reintroduced traditional fire practices, the overall size and intensity of wildfires have decreased significantly. Their efforts are part of a broader movement across Australia, with over 100 Indigenous ranger groups working to restore millions of hectares of land.