The Ningaloo Coast is located in the remote
western part of Australia. It tells unparalleled stories
across time, latitudes and species, about the movement
of continents, changing climates and the evolution of
life over 150 million years. Inscribed as a World Heritage
Site in 2011, the Ningaloo Coast is home to a rich diversity
of life and an abundance of endemic plants and animals.
The site witnesses the largest annual assemblage of
whale sharks in the world. It also possesses exceptional
underwater scenery, including coral reef structures,
contrasting with the vivid colours of the arid terrestrial
landscape. It has the largest fringing reef system in the
world, extending up to 200 km. There is remarkable
evidence of human inhabitation of the site, 32,000 years
back.
With its extreme remoteness, the site enjoys a high level of natural protection. Climate change is a major threat in the area in the long run, which is evident from recent coral bleaching. Recent events of extreme temperature and flooding and frequent cyclones are all related to climate change.
he Ningaloo Coast is located in a remote part of western Australia bordered by the eastern Indian Ocean (S 220 33' 45.4896" and E 1130 48' 37.3176"). It has an area of 705,015 ha and stretches over a length of more than 300 km. It has been inscribed as a World Heritage Site for its incredible natural beauty and the vital and significant natural habitats it has for in situ conservation of biological diversity. The Ningaloo Coast's Outstanding Heritage Value is its extraordinary natural qualities and indigenous significance. It has been included in the Australian National Heritage List (Australian Government 2020). The state waters of the Ningaloo Coast were declared a national park in 1987 (Department of Environment Australia 2010).
There is remarkable evidence of human habitation of the islands, dating back more than 32,000 years. The aboriginal people in the region had exceptional knowledge of marine resources around 35,000-17,000 years ago. This evidence is available in shell beds and other archaeological deposits in rock shelters. A very small number of caves and rock shelters in the region have been explored, and there is a possibility of there being much more hidden cultural treasure (Australian Government 2020).
The site has a rich diversity and abundance of endemic species. The remarkable biodiversity in this region is due to the several global bio-geographical, oceanographic and plate tectonic movements in the area. As Pangaea broke, ocean currents shifted, and climates were transformed. A broad range of plants and animals adapted to the hot, arid conditions of the surface. The vegetation cover on the land includes eucalypt woodlands, acacia scrublands and spinifex grasslands. More than 630 plant species are to be found at the site, including the endemic Yardie morning glory (Ipomoea yardiensis).
The landscapes and seascapes of the property are
comprised of mostly intact and large-scale marine, coastal
and terrestrial environments. The lush and colourful
underwater scenery provides a stark and spectacular
contrast with the arid and rugged land. The property
supports rare and large aggregations of whale sharks
(Rhincodon typus) along with important aggregations of
other fish species and marine mammals. The aggregations
in Ningaloo following the mass coral spawning and
seasonal nutrient upwelling cause a peak in productivity
that leads approximately 300-500 whale sharks to gather,
making this the largest documented aggregation in the
world.
In addition to the remarkable aggregations of whale sharks the Ningaloo Reef harbours a high marine diversity of more than 300 documented coral species, over 700 reef fish species, roughly 650 mollusc species, as well as around 600 crustacean species and more than 1,000 species of marine algae.
The high numbers of 155 sponge species and 25 new species of echinoderms add to the significance of the area. On the ecotone, between tropical and temperate waters, the Ningaloo Coast hosts an unusual diversity of marine turtle species with an estimated 10,000 nests deposited along the coast annually.
The Ningaloo Coast enjoys natural protection
because of its relative remoteness. The site faces
threats like climate change is one. It can have extremely
severe effects in the long run, as is evident from the
coral bleaching situation (Heron et al. 2018). The
consequences of climate change are experienced in the
form of extreme weather events, ocean acidification,
a sea-level rise and an increased cyclone frequency
(Fulton et al. 2014; Caputi et al. 2014; Lafratta et al. 2015;
Feng et al. 2015; Davies et al. 2016; Jones 2019). Floods
and cyclones of increasing intensity threaten the site,
decreasing the recovery time available for corals. Forest
fires are a major threat in the area.
There are management plans in place for mitigation of bushfires. Invasive species are also a threat to the native flora and fauna. Oil spills from vessels pose a severe and irreversible threat to the marine life and the ecosystem. Corals, sessile invertebrates and other marine organisms can be lost entirely because of these threats (IUCN World Heritage Outlook 2020).
An increasing number of visitors is creating much pressure on the natural values, sensitive coastal habitats and ecological communities and is leadings to increased recreational fishing and other activities (Stevens et al. 2000; McPhee et al. 2002; Lewin et al. 2006), causing an impact on the coastal ecological communities. Unmanaged visits, both within and adjacent to the property, remain a threat.
