Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01389:body:0:p57
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01389
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 164328–167243

2070
     * Possible reduction in rainfall during the dry seasons
     * An average sea level rise of 14 centimetres in 2030, 40 centimetres by 2070 and up to 1.1 metres by the end of the 21st century (worst case scenario)
     * A doubling of the number of intense tropical cyclones by 2030, decreasing by 2070 (AECOM 2010).
As the island rises only four meters in elevation and lies within a cyclone prone area of the Indian Ocean, rising sea levels and more severe storm events predicted to occur as a result of climate change have the potential to severely impact the vegetation, wildlife and morphology of the island.
Hyder recommended a review of existing strategies and activities related to the management of weeds, invasive pest animals, visitor access and commercial activities (such as recreational fishing) in and around the park (Hyder 2008). The management actions and policies in this plan provide a suitable response to these recommendations, maximising protection of habitats within the park through minimising the potential impacts of human visitation, invasive species and commercial operations.
The Territory Administration commissioned a climate change risk assessment for the Indian Ocean Territories, which was finalised in 2010. Recommendations from this risk assessment will be considered during/through the implementation of this plan.
Terrestrial environment
Flora
North Keeling Island is a very remote oceanic island that has always been isolated from any large land mass. Before it was first visited by people, colonisation of the island by plants and animals could have occurred only by wind, pelagic drift, flight or animal carriage. The origins and development of the flora and fauna of the island into a unique assemblage of 'travelling' species has long fascinated biologists.
In terms of geological substrate and elevation, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands have similarities with some of the islands of the central and western Indian Ocean, for example the Maldives and the Farquhar Group. All of these low islands have evolved in isolation from a continent, through the combined forces of vulcanism, subsidence and coral growth. They all now rise less than 10 metres above sea level (Williams 1994b). The low habitat diversity of these islands leads to a flora characterised by very low endemicity with indigenous taxa of pan-tropical or Indo-Pacific distribution dominating (Renvoize 1979).
The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are no exception to this general pattern, with only one endemic plant, Pandanus tectorius ssp. cocosensis (Renvoize 1979). Sixty-one plant species have been recorded on Cocos (Keeling) Islands and 40 plant species have been recorded in the park.
North Keeling Island has a number of species not found on the southern atoll, including:
    * African cabbage (Cleome gynandra)
    * maunaloa (Canavalia cathartica)
    * Indian coral tree (Erythrina variegata)
    *