Mortality rates of desert vegetation during high‐intensity drought at <scp>Uluru‐Kata</scp> Tjuta National Park, Central Australia

Precipitation variability and heatwaves are expected to intensify over much of inland Australia under most projected climate change scenarios. This will undoubtedly have impacts on the biota Australian dryland systems. However, accurate modelling these is presently impeded by a lack empirical research drought/heatwave effects native arid flora fauna. During 2018–2021 drought, many parts continent's experienced their hottest, driest period record. Here, we present results field survey in 2021 involving indigenous rangers, scientists national parks staff who assessed plant dieback during this drought at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (UKTNP), central Australia. Spatially randomized quadrat sampling eight common culturally important plants indicated following death rates across UKTNP (in order susceptibility): desert myrtle (Aluta maisonneuvei subsp. maisonneuvei) (91%), yellow flame grevillea (Grevillea eriostachya) (79%), Maitland's wattle (Acacia maitlandii) (67%), waxy (A. melleodora) (65%), soft spinifex grass (Triodia pungens) (53%), mulga aneura) (42%), oak (Allocasuarina decaisneana) (22%) quandong (Santalum acuminatum) (0%). The also detected that seedling recruitment was absent or minimal for all except spinifex, while generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) two-way interactions among species, size stand density as predictors survival adult plants. A substantial loss biodiversity has occurred recent with likely drivers widespread mortality being extreme multi-year rainfall deficit (2019 recorded lowest-ever annual [27 mm]) record high summer temperatures (December 2019 highest-ever temperature [47.1°C]). Our findings indicate extensive vegetation restructuring occur if severity frequency droughts increase change.