Fig. 2.

Generalized representation of: (A) the climate in Darwin in the Australian wet–dry tropics; (B) hydrological changes on the Magela floodplain in Kakadu National Park (variability is represented by dashed lines); and (C) an Aboriginal calendar from Kakadu National Park. A 14 month period is shown to illustrate the extension of seasons across the calendar year. The meteorological information was derived from Hoatson et al. (2000), hydrological information was adapted from Sanderson et al. (1983) by Finlayson et al. (1990a), and the aboriginal calendar from Ovington (1986) and Morris (1996). The aboriginal seasons are described in the following manner: Gunumeleng, pre-monsoon season; Gudjewg, monsoon season; Banggerreng, harvest time; Yegge, cool weather time; Wurreng, early dry season; Gurrung, hot dry season.