What was done
Based on their study of the mineralogical characteristics of a 436-cm radiocarbon-dated core taken from a lake in the alpine region of the Snowy Mountains of southeastern Australia, the authors developed a 12,000-year record of aeolian activity for this corner of world.

What was learned
From 7600 to 5500 years ago, there was a period of more modest aeolian activity characterized by "reduced wind strength or fewer storms" that corresponds with the time when lakes in southeastern Australia experienced some of their highest levels.  This period of time has often been called the mid-Holocene Climatic Optimum.  Since that time, the authors report that "the last 5500 years of the record saw a progressively increasing intensity of aeolian activity," saying they "interpret this change of climatic conditions for the latter part of the Holocene as a 'downgrading' of climatic stability with the predominance of wet and dry periods, such as we know them today and that are strongly influenced by the El Niņo Southern Oscillation (ENSO)," which they say was "less effective" prior to 5500 years ago.

What it means
If we were to turn this history around and run it backwards, we may get some idea of what a continuation of the past century's warming of the globe might someday mean for southeastern Australia: much-reduced ENSO activity, greater water availability, and a more stable climate with weaker and/or fewer storms.  Not a bad outcome!