The desert piper

摘要

PROFESSOR CHRIS DICKMAN navigates clumps of yellowing spinifex as he climbs a red dune. The morning is quiet save for the murmur of soft voices and the subtle swish of feet on desert sand. Chris and a small group of researchers known as the Sydney University ratcatchers are surveying traps on Ethabuka station, which borders Simpson Desert National Park, in far south-western Queensland. In 2004, Chris's tireless research at Ethabuka led to the 2140 sq. km former pastoral lease being declared a Bush Heritage environmental reserve. To date, 198 species, including at least 26 mammal and 54 reptile species, have been recorded — an exceptionally rich natural community according to Chris. The arid-zone ecologist has travelled from Sydney to unearth life here since 1989. He makes the three-day drive at least four times a year and stays up to a month at a time.