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Caring for Lake Eyre

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Caring for Lake Eyre

A supermarket is planning a display about water-wise choices and the places those choices can help protect. Use the field notes and map below to create an accurate, practical guide to caring for Lake Eyre. Answer every question.

Lake Eyre field notes

Lake Eyre, also called Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre, is a salt lake in South Australia. It lies in the Lake Eyre Basin, a huge inland drainage basin. Water can travel through rivers and creeks from far away before reaching the lake. Most of the time, the lake is dry or holds shallow water. After heavy rain, water may spread across parts of the lake and attract waterbirds, including pelicans. Fish can hatch and thrive when water reaches the lake. These changing conditions are natural, but pollution, careless driving and disturbance of wildlife can cause harm. Caring for the lake includes looking after waterways across the basin, taking rubbish away, staying on permitted routes and giving wildlife space. Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre is an important place for Aboriginal people, especially the Arabana people, whose connection to Country should be respected by visitors.

Far north of the basin

Rain falls; water enters creeks

↓ flows south through waterways ↓

↓ may reach Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre ↓

Investigate and advise

1.Choose the best description of Lake Eyre’s usual condition and its change after heavy rain.

It is usually dry or shallow, and rain can bring water and wildlife.
It is always deep and full of water.
It is a freshwater lake that never changes.
It disappears permanently during every dry spell.

2.Use the field notes to name two kinds of wildlife that may benefit when water reaches the lake.

3.According to the simplified journey, where may water that falls in the far north eventually go? Explain the route in your own words.

4.Talia sees rubbish beside a creek that flows into the basin. Why is picking it up and disposing of it properly a useful way to care for Lake Eyre?

5.Harper is visiting the lake. Which choice is the most responsible?

Drive wherever the ground looks firm.
Stay on permitted routes, take rubbish away and give wildlife space.
Feed birds so they stay nearby.
Collect plants and rocks as souvenirs.

6.A visitor says, “The lake is dry, so it has no environmental value.” Use one detail from the field notes to explain why this claim is mistaken.

7.Circle True or False for each statement: (a) Lake Eyre is in South Australia. (b) Water in the basin can travel from far away. (c) Visitors should disturb wildlife to get a closer look.

TrueFalse

8.Amira is helping make a supermarket display. Write a short, accurate slogan encouraging people to care for Lake Eyre, and include one practical action visitors can take.

9.Why should visitors respect the Arabana people’s connection to Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre? Give one respectful action a visitor could take.

10.Put the events in a sensible order by writing 1–3: ___ water may reach the lake; ___ rain falls in the far north; ___ water enters creeks and flows south.

11.Choose one threat mentioned in the field notes—pollution, careless driving or disturbing wildlife. Explain how a visitor’s action could reduce that threat.