There are few inhabitants, however. The Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands is composed of two groups of islands and reefs in the Indian Ocean off the northwest Australian coast. Ashmore Reef was declared a national nature reserve in 1983. It was transferred to Australia from Great Britain in 1933. The area is permanently frozen, and strong winds and blizzards dominate the climate.
Plant life is limited to mosses and lichens.
The coastal region contains migratory seabirds, penguins, and seals. There is no permanent population, but the territory is regularly visited by scientists based at Mawson, Davis, and Casey stations. Members of the Antarctic Treaty, including Australia, adopted the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources in 1980. The islanders depend almost entirely on the mining of phosphate rock for their livelihood. Christmas Island supports a dense rain forest and various animals.