Ningaloo Coast - (World Heritage Natural Site in Australia)

Ningaloo Coast

Short Report

The 604,500 hectare property of Ningaloo marine and terrestrial Coast, external western coast of Australia, is one of the longest near-shore reefs in the world. In the country the site features an extensive karst system and underground network of caves and watercourses. Annual meetings of whale sharks in Ningaloo Coast, is home to many sea creatures, including a wealth of sea turtles. The terrestrial part of the subterranean water masses with an extensive network of caves, conduits and groundwater streams. They support a whole range of rare species that contribute to the exceptional biodiversity in the marine and terrestrial site

Wonderful Universal Importance

Brief synthesis

The Ningaloo coast is Western Australia's external coast along the Indian Ocean. The bridged ocean and desert coast form aesthetically striking landscapes and seascapes. The coastal zone a major near shore reef system and a directly adjacent limestone karst system and associated habitats and species in a barren coast. The house has a high level of terrestrial species endemism and high marine biodiversity and abundance. An estimated 300 to 500 whale sharks total annual coincides with mass coral spawning events and seasonal localized productivity gains. The maritime part of the nomination contains a high diversity of habitats which lagoon, reef, open ocean, the continental slope and the continental shelf. Intertidal systems such as rocky shores, sandy beaches, estuaries and mangroves are also to be found in the property. The most dominant marine habitat is the Ningaloo reef, by both tropical and temperate marine flora and fauna, including marine reptiles and mammals.

The main terrestrial function of the Ningaloo Coast is the extensive karst system and underground network of caves and watercourses in the Cape Range. The karst system includes hundreds of different features such as caves, 'dolines' confiscated and subterranean water masses and supports a rich diversity of very specialized types of subterranean. Above the ground, the Cape Range Peninsula belongs to an arid ecoregion known for the high level of species richness and endemism, especially for birds and reptiles.

The landscapes and seascapes of the property consists of largely intact and large-scale marine, coastal and terrestrial environments. The lush and colorful underwater landscape offers a stark and spectacular contrast with the dry and rough areas. The property offers support for rare and large aggregates of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) together with major aggregates of other species of fish and marine mammals. The aggregations of Ningaloo in response to the massive coral spawning and seasonal nutrient upwelling cause a peak in productivity leads to collect approximately 300-500 whale sharks, making this the largest described aggregation solutions in the world. In addition to the remarkable aggregations of whale sharks the Ningaloo Reef harbors a high marine diversity of more than 300 described species of coral, more than 700 reef fish species, approximately 650 species of molluscs, as well as 600 species of crustaceans and more than 1,000 species of marine algae. The large numbers of 155 sponge species and 25 new types of echinoderms add to the interpretation of the area. On the ecotone, between tropical and temperate waters, the Ningaloo Coast offers an unusual diversity of marine species of sea turtles with an estimated 10,000 annually deposited nests along the coast.

The majority of subterranean species in the country, including aquatic species in the flooded caves are rare, taxonomically diverse and not elsewhere in the southern hemisphere. The combination of relict rainforest flora and small fully aquatic invertebrates in the same cave system is exceptional. The fauna of the peninsula is very diverse and has the largest cave fauna (troglomorphic) diversity in Australia and one of the highest in the world. Above the ground, the diversity of reptiles and vascular plants in drylands is also remarkable.

Source:whc/unesco