NINGALOO COAST World Heritage Wonders...NINGALOO COAST World Heritage Wonders Diverse Range of...
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NINGALOO COAST World Heritage Wonders Diverse Range of Habitats A rare mix of intact, diverse and large scale terrestrial, coastal and marine habitats which form an incredible interconnected ecosystem. The Ningaloo Coast has been given the highest level of internaonal recognion and is acknowledged as one of the most exceponal and unique places on Earth with its inscripon on the World Heritage List 24 th June 2011. The Ningaloo Coast was World Heritage listed for the area’s outstanding natural beauty and exceponal biological richness including the following outstanding universal values. Once of the longest, most prisne and biodiverse fringing reefs in the world with over: 200 coral; 500 fish; 650 mollusc; 600 crustacean; 1000 marine algae; 155 sponge; and 25 echinoderm species found in a range of habitats from the shore to the deep sea. Many of these species are new discoveries. The stark and striking contrast of the rugged, arid Cape Range, the sparkling white beaches and the clear, turquoise colours and underwater scenery of Ningaloo Reef. Land and Sea Contrast Mega Marine Life Ningaloo Reef Biodiversity Turtle Rookery Photograph © Tony Howard Photograph © Tony Howard One of the largest, most reliable and best managed Whale Shark aggregaons in the World (an esmated 300-500 whale sharks). This is due to the mass coral spawning event and seasonal nutrient upwellings that occur annually on the coast. Globally important and threatened mega marine life such as humpbacks, orcas and other whales, dolphins, manta rays, dugongs, sharks, turtles and large fish including tuna and billfish. The area is one of the most important turtle rookeries in the Indian Ocean for three turtle species: the endangered loggerhead and green; and the crically endangered hawksbill. Together these 3 species can dig up to 10,000 nests each year. Under Cape Range lies a complex, limestone karst (cave) system. These caves are home to over 80 weird and wonderful creatures (called stygofauna and troglobites) which is the highest level of diversity in Australia and one of the highest in the world. Cape Range Karst (cave) System Whale Shark Aggregation Cape Range Plants and Animals Cape Range has an exceponally high diversity of plants, birds and reples many of which are found nowhere else in the world. This is because the area is a biogeographical transion zone between the tropical, temperate and desert regions. Photograph © Brad Daw Photograph © Sunday Sunset Images Photograph © Ma Prophet Photograph © Axel Passeck Photograph © Tony Howard
Transcript of NINGALOO COAST World Heritage Wonders...NINGALOO COAST World Heritage Wonders Diverse Range of...
N I N G A L O O COA STWorld Heritage Wonders
Diverse Range of HabitatsA rare mix of intact, diverse and large scale terrestrial, coastal and marine habitats which form an incredible interconnected ecosystem.
The Ningaloo Coast has been given the highest level of international recognition and is acknowledged as one of the most exceptional and unique places on Earth with its inscription on the World Heritage List 24th June 2011. The Ningaloo Coast was World Heritage listed for the area’s outstanding natural beauty and exceptional biological richness including the following outstanding universal values.
Once of the longest, most pristine and biodiverse fringing reefs in the world with over: 200 coral; 500 fish; 650 mollusc; 600 crustacean; 1000 marine algae; 155 sponge; and 25 echinoderm species found in a range of habitats from the shore to the deep sea. Many of these species are new discoveries.
The stark and striking contrast of the rugged, arid Cape Range, the sparkling white beaches and the clear, turquoise colours and underwater scenery of Ningaloo Reef.
Land and Sea Contrast
Mega Marine Life
Ningaloo Reef Biodiversity
Tur tle Rookery
Photograph © Tony Howard
Photograph © Tony Howard
One of the largest, most reliable and best managed Whale Shark aggregations in the World (an estimated 300-500 whale sharks). This is due to the mass coral spawning event and seasonal nutrient upwellings that occur annually on the coast.
Globally important and threatened mega marine life such as humpbacks, orcas and other whales, dolphins, manta rays, dugongs, sharks, turtles and large fish including tuna and billfish.
The area is one of the most important turtle rookeries in the Indian Ocean for three turtle species: the endangered loggerhead and green; and the critically endangered hawksbill. Together these 3 species can dig up to 10,000 nests each year.
Under Cape Range lies a complex, limestone karst (cave) system. These caves are home to over 80 weird and wonderful creatures (called stygofauna and troglobites) which is the highest level of diversity in Australia and one of the highest in the world.
Cape Range Karst (cave) System
Whale Shark Aggregation
Cape Range Plants and AnimalsCape Range has an exceptionally high diversity of plants, birds and reptiles many of which are found nowhere else in the world. This is because the area is a biogeographical transition zone between the tropical, temperate and desert regions.
Photograph © Brad Daw
Photograph © Sunday Sunset Images
Photograph © Matt Prophet
Photograph © Axel Passeck
Photograph © Tony Howard
