New Caledonian barrier reef
UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
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Location | New Caledonia (state party: France) |
Includes |
|
Criteria | Natural: (vii), (ix), (x) |
Reference | 1115 |
Inscription | 2008 (32nd Session) |
Area | 1,574,300 ha (3,890,000 acres) |
Buffer zone | 1,287,100 ha (3,180,000 acres) |
Coordinates | 20°24′43″S 164°33′59″E / 20.41194°S 164.56639°E |
The New Caledonian barrier reef is a
The New Caledonian barrier reef surrounds
In 2008, the barrier reef and its enclosing lagoon was inscribed on the
Ecology
The reef systems of New Caledonia are considered to be the second largest in the world after the Great Barrier Reef of Australia, the longest continuous barrier reef in the world with a length of 1,600 km and its lagoon, the largest in the world with an area of 24,000 square kilometers. This ecosystem hosts along with Fiji, the world's most diverse concentration of reef structures, 146 types based on a global classification system, and they equal or even surpass the much larger Great Barrier Reef in coral and fish diversity.[1]
The reef has great species diversity with a high level of endemism. In total, there have been 2328 fish species observed in the reef, belonging to 248 families.[2] In addition, the reef is home to third-largest population of endangered dugongs (Dugong dugon) on Earth, and is an important nesting site for green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas).[1]
In the lagoons of New Caledonia there are many other marine species, including over 2000 species of molluscs
Environmental threats
Most of the reefs are generally thought to be in good health. Some of the eastern reefs have been damaged by effluent from nickel mining on Grand Terre. Sedimentation from mining, agriculture, and grazing has affected reefs near river mouths, which has been worsened by the destruction of mangrove forests, which help to retain sediment. Some reefs have been buried under several metres of silt.[5] In 2008, an assessment of northwest near-shore reefs concluded that many would be dead within years, and at best decades, if present trends relating to mining sediment and silt run-off continued.[6]
In January 2002, the
There are 13 local management committees, composed of tourist operators, fishermen, politicians and chiefs of local tribes which work with the community to monitor the health of the lagoons.[7]
Human use
Scuba Diving is common, with several dive sites in the lagoon and around the reef. These include the Prony needle, the Shark Pit and the Cathedral.[8]
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ASTER image of the lagoons
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 27 December 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
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- ^ "New Caledonia Barrier Reef". WWF. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
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- ^ "Historic Local community meeting in New Caledonia to strengthen World Heritage conservation". UNESCO. 20 July 2015. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
- ^ "Scuba Diving". nouvelle caledonie. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2016.