Biocultural mapping: unpacking the myth of an unsuitable Country in the arid zone, Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Area, Australia

Research reveals that the Willandra Lakes Region, previously considered unsuitable for habitation due to arid conditions and European biases, was actively inhabited by Aboriginal communities prior to colonization. Using Exploratory GIS methods, the study demonstrates the existence of diverse biocultural zones of land use and occupancy, challenging the myth of 'Terra Nullius' and highlighting the ecological and hydrological significance of these areas. The findings underscore the need for biocultural GIS mapping tools to better understand and protect habitable spaces in arid regions, which have been historically ignored or damaged by settlements.

Thomas, K. (2023). Biocultural mapping: unpacking the myth of an unsuitable Country in the arid zone, Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Area, Australia. Environmental Systems Research, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40068-023-00309-4