Hosnies Spring

* About the images

We took care to attach appropriate images that are as close to representative of each species as our resources and the availability of images allowed. however, we could not ensure perfect accuaracy in every case. Some images show species that share the same genus but not at the species or subspecies level.

Christmas Island is an Australian External Territory located in the Indian Ocean approximately 2800 kilometres west of Darwin and 500 kilometres south of Jakarta, Indonesia. The Island is approximately 13 500 hectares in size, 63 per cent of which is national park, including two Ramsar wetlands: Hosnies Spring and The Dales. Christmas Island National Park is managed by Parks Australia. Hosnies Spring is a small area of shallow freshwater streams and seepages, 20-45 metres above sea-level on the shore terrace of the east coast of the island. The Ramsar site consists of a stand of two species of mangroves of the usually tidal genus Bruguiera. The Ramsar site includes surrounding terrestrial areas with rainforest grading to coastal scrub, and includes an area of shoreline and coral reef. Whilst mangroves of this group are distributed widely across the region, on Christmas Island the species are rare. The stand represented at Hosnies Spring is most unusual in that it occurs high above sea level (24-37 metres) on an inclined surface, the mangroves are unusually tall (up to 30-40 metres high) and because it appears that the stand has persisted at the site for approximately 120 000 years. The stand is maintained by the permanent freshwater spring. The structure of the stand is also unusual in that it consists of a few very large individuals and abundant saplings and seedlings, typical of a population of long-lived trees where few individuals reach full height. The site is an example of a specific type of wetland unique to Christmas Island and perhaps unique worldwide. The Ramsar site also provides part of the restricted habitat of the blue crab which is protected on the island. Other crab species that occur in the site are the red crab and robber crab. Hosnies Spring is isolated and relatively inaccessible so there is minimal human impact on the area.

Government evidence of impact of climate change:

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  • Australian Government, Hosnies Spring Ramsar Site, Ecological Character Description

    Climate change Direct physical damage to Medium Medium to increased storms mangroves; potential loss of entire long term stand. crazy ants There is no evidence that there has been any change to the hydrology; geomorphology or biota at Hosnies Spring since listing.
    The general climatic pattern is warm to hot temperatures and high rainfall occurring year round.
    There is uncertainty in the predicted change in climate for Christmas Island; and it is not known if rainfall will decrease or increase by a small amount.
    Climate change Direct physical damage to Medium Medium to increased storms mangroves; potential loss of entire long term stand.