Scientists analysing growth rings of 700-year-old native cypress trees in South-Western Australia's Wheatbelt say the region suffered a series of megadroughts lasting up to 30 years in past centuries.
Climatologist Alison O’Donnell said the study also suggests the region had one of the wettest periods during the 20th century.
Researchers say the future for Australia's water resources could be even more severe given megadroughts can occur in the region even without the drying impact of climate change.