The Ningaloo Coast is located on Western Australia’s remote coast along the East Indian Ocean. The interconnected ocean and arid coast form aesthetically striking landscapes and seascapes. The coastal waters host a major near shore reef system and a directly adjacent limestone karst system and associated habitats and species along an arid coastline. The property holds a high level of terrestrial species endemism and high marine species diversity and abundance. An estimated 300 to 500 whale sharks aggregate annually coinciding with mass coral spawning events and seasonal localized increases in productivity. The marine portion of the nomination contains a high diversity of habitats that includes lagoon, reef, open ocean, the continental slope and the continental shelf. Intertidal systems such as rocky shores, sandy beaches, estuaries, and mangroves are also found within the property. The most dominant marine habitat is the Ningaloo reef, which sustains both tropical and temperate marine fauna and flora, including marine reptiles and mammals. The main terrestrial feature of the Ningaloo Coast is the extensive karst system and network of underground caves and water courses of the Cape Range. The karst system includes hundreds of separate features such as caves, dolines and subterranean water bodies and supports a rich diversity of highly specialized subterranean species. Above ground, the Cape Range Peninsula belongs to an arid ecoregion recognized for its high levels of species richness and endemism, particularly for birds and reptiles. Criterion (vii) contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance
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. Criterion (x) contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation. 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 majority of subterranean species on land, including aquatic species in the flooded caves are rare, taxonomically diverse and not found elsewhere in the southern hemisphere. The combination of relict rainforest fauna and small fully aquatic invertebrates within the same cave system is exceptional. The subterranean fauna of the peninsula is highly diverse and has the highest cave fauna (troglomorphic) diversity in Australia and one of the highest in the world. Above ground, the diversity of reptiles and vascular plants in the drylands is likewise noteworthy. Statement of Integrity – The property is embedded into a comprehensive legal framework for the various protected areas and all other land. As a National Heritage area, it is subject to the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act of 1999 (EPBC) according to which all proposed activities with possible significant impacts on the values of the site require assessments. The EPBC is applicable to activities located outside of the boundaries of the property. While no formal buffer zones have been established for the property, the Act therefore serves as a legal buffer zone. The boundaries encompass the key marine and terrestrial values with the exclusions being small in size and not conflicting with the maintenance of the values if managed adequately. Both the marine and the terrestrial areas may face a number of threats to the property’s integrity. Learmonth Air Weapons Range Facility, located within the property, includes an ancient reef-complex and cave fauna of exceptional importance. It was one of Australia’s most active bombing ranges until around 1990 and future bombing activities may pose a threat, in particular for the Bundera sinkhole which is located on Defence Land. Tourism is on the increase leading to associated threats such as damage to vegetation, illegal fishing, sewage and waste disposal and disturbance to wildlife. Comprehensive management programs and an overall tourism development strategy are functioning as well as appropriate responses which require consolidation in anticipation of further increasing visitation. Future concerns include increased water demand leading to water abstraction with potential effects on the groundwater systems as well documented in arid areas with abruptly increasing numbers of visitors. Fire, historically part of local indigenous management, is a potential threat to the terrestrial vegetation and requires monitoring and control. Livestock raising on pastoral leases continues to be an important land use which is compatible with nature conservation when managed appropriately. Potential off-shore hydrocarbon extraction in the region surrounding the property requires careful consideration in order to prevent potential pollution and disturbance. The coastline’s significant length and remoteness poses major challenges to responses to pollution incidents suggesting a need for further investments in emergency response. Sea level rise and increases in seawater temperatures associated with climate change have had comparatively little effect on the property. The good overall integrity suggests a higher resilience that in disturbed systems under additional stress. Still, careful monitoring is highly recommended. A concern affecting both marine and terrestrial parts of the property and requiring permanent monitoring and management are invasive alien species, most importantly foxes, cats, goats and weeds on land and some marine species.
Ningaloo Coast
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Government evidence of impact of climate change:
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Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, World Heritage Places - The Ningaloo Coast
Sea level rise and increases in seawater temperatures associated with climate change have had comparatively little effect on the property.
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IUCN World Heritage Outlook, Ningaloo Coast, 2014
The greatest threats are from climate change; increasing visitation and associated pressures; such as recreational fishing and there are always risks which cannot be predicted; such as an accidental oil spill or extreme weather events.
Habitat Shifting Alteration High Threat Inside site Outside site Sea level rise and increases in seawater temperatures associated with climate change have had some negative impact on the property.
The arid climate results in extremely low levels of runoff.
Fire Local Uncontrolled fire or inappropriate fire regimes; in part due to climate change; could threaten a number of WH values.
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IUCN World Heritage Outlook, Ningaloo Coast, 2017
Climate change induced temperature anomalies had already caused damage to coral reef areas in the past however; Ningaloo coral reefs appear to have escaped the coral bleaching which affected many other areas in 2016.
The arid climate results in extremely low levels of runoff.
Nonetheless; the risk of future bleaching events remains high and therefore strategies and ongoing investment are required to improve understanding and developing resilience within natural systems to anticipated incremental climate changes (IUCN Consultation; 2017).
Potential Threats High Threat The greatest potential threat is the further unknown effects of climate change that could result in sea level rise ; change in cyclone frequency; drought; or change in the temperature of seawater; all of which would impact WH values greatly.
Storms Flooding High Threat Inside site; throughout( 50 ) Outside site The greatest potential threat is the further unknown effects of climate change that could result in sea level rise; the risk of catastrophic fire; change in cyclone frequency; drought; or change in the temperature of seawater; and coral bleaching all of which would impact World Heritage values greatly.
Fires from artificial sources; increased severe weather (lightning strikes) and burning through altered landscapes remain a threat (IUCN Consultation; 2017).
The greatest threats are from increasing visitation and associated pressures; such as recreational fishing and there are always risks which cannot be predicted; such as an accidental oil spill or extreme weather events.
Fires from artificial sources; increased severe weather (lightning strikes) and burning through altered landscapes remain a threat (IUCN Consultation; 2017).
Fires from artificial sources and increased severe weather remain a threat.
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IUCN World Heritage Outlook, Ningaloo Coast, 2020
Climate change poses the greatest threat to the long term conservation of the site.
The arid climate results in extremely low levels of runoff.
Ocean acidification; Temperature extremes; Storms Flooding (Climate change) High Threat Inside site; throughout( 50 ) Outside site Climate change poses the biggest threat to the long term conservation of the property.
While Ningaloo is one of only three (of 29) World Heritage listed coral reefs not expected to experience bleaching at least twice per decade by 2041 (a frequency that is likely to cause total mortality) under Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 8.5 climate projections (Heron et al. 2017) the same models predict that bleaching will occur at least twice per decade after 2041; a frequency that will rapidly kill most corals present and prevent successful reproduction necessary for recovery of corals and annual bleaching by 2049 (Heron et al. 2018).
Potential Threats High Threat The Ningaloo Coast site is predicted to become increasingly vulnerable to climate change impacts (Fulton et al.; 2014 Caputi et al.; 2014 Lafratta et al.; 2015 Feng et al.; 2015 Davies et al.; 2016 Jones; 2019); and hence the greatest potential threat to the site is further effects of climate change.
Ocean acidification; Temperature extremes; Storms Flooding (Climate change) High Threat Inside site; throughout( 50 ) Outside site The greatest potential threat is the further unknown effects of climate change that could result in the risk of drought; catastrophic fire; change in cyclone frequency; increased wave energy; change in the temperature of seawater; coral bleaching; ocean acidification; and sea level rise and its associated impacts on coastal communities and habitat (i.e nesting habitat for turtles) all of which would impact biodiversity (coral; seaweed seagrass; fish and other marine fauna species) World Heritage values greatly (Moore et al.; 2012 Fulton et al.; 2014 Caput et al.; 2014 Lafratta et al.; 2015 Feng et al.; 2015 Davies et al.; 2016 Frolicher Laufkotter; 2018.; Jones; 2019 DBCA; 2019 Perry et al.; 2018).
However; impacts from climate change including increases in sea temperatures; air temperatures and ocean acidification pose a significant threat to the site’s values.
Of most concern is that the threat of climate change and its effects on the site’s World Heritage values is predicted to increase in the future.
Climate change is a significant future threat.
Some studies conclude that subterranean species globally are particularly sensitive to climate change (Mammola et al.; 2019).
High diversity of marine invertebrates and algae High Concern Trend Deteriorating The Ningaloo Coast coral reef ecosystems are considered as being likely to be very vulnerable to climate change (Fulton et al.; 2014); and coral bleaching (and flow on impacts on marine species) have been recorded at the site in the past; particularly associated with a severe ocean heat wave event that impacted the site in 2011.
The concerns are greater for the Ningaloo Coast site’s marine areas; with climate change impacts in particular registering as a significant threat.
The Ningaloo Coast coral reef ecosystems are considered as being likely to be very vulnerable to climate change (Fulton et al.; 2014); and coral bleaching (and flow on impacts on marine species) have been recorded at the site in the past; particularly associated with a severe ocean heat wave event that impacted the site in 2011 (Holmes et al; 2017).
Factors negatively affecting provision of this benefit Climate change Impact level High; Trend Increasing Pollution Impact level Low; Trend Increasing Overexploitation Impact level Low; Trend Increasing Invasive species Impact level Low; Trend Continuing Habitat change Impact level Low; Trend Increasing The diversity of landscapes and ecosystems in the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage site offers many opportunities for recreation and tourism.
Fires from artificial sources; increased severe weather (lightning strikes) and burning through altered landscapes remain a threat (IUCN Consultation; 2017).
Fires from artificial sources and increased severe weather also remain a threat.
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Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Ningaloo Coast: World Heritage nomination
Reef is magnified in a climate of rising and severe pressures on reefs around the world; due to increasing Similar arid zone karst settings include the Socotra anthropogenic impacts. archipelago and the Nullarbor Plain in Australia.
Consequently; human modification of conservation and is not subject to any major risks; and impacts on the terrestrial and marine ecosystems except climate change pressures.
These factors; together with the unique oceanographic situation of Ningaloo Reef; are likely to give the Ningaloo Coast ecosystems greater natural resilience to climate change than can be expected of coral reef and karst environments that are already suffering multiple environmental pressures.
The world’s coral reefs and associated ecosystems This event has been attributed to cold air temperatures; a are all potentially under threat from climate change.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has indicated that there is some evidence that regional frequencies of tropical cyclones may change.and that the peak intensity may increase by 5 per cent to 10 per cent and precipitation rates may increase by 20 per cent to 30 per cent Visitors and tourism present a relatively minor pressure to the nominated property.
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Australian Government and Western Australian Government, Ningaloo Coast: Strategic Management Framework
Climate change All of the world’s coral reefs and associated ecosystems are potentially under threat from climate change.
Sea level rise associated with climate change is anticipated to be between 0.5 and 1.4 metres above 1990 levels by 2100.
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