Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00287:reg:3:p21
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00287
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 3 (pt 21/276)
Character Range: 70545–73371

of the island, apart from the two mountains and the land to the north, was cleared for crops or pasture (Benson 1980). Following the removal of convicts in 1855, the island supported a smaller agricultural community. Only about 100 ha were under cultivation, and much of the island was neglected and invaded by weeds (Gilmour & Helman 1989a, 1989b). In 1856, the inhabitants of Pitcairn Island were relocated to Norfolk Island. These settlers cultivated the land that had been cleared by the penal colony, and agriculture became the economic base of the island. Trade with Australia in several crops developed, with farmers transitioning from one crop to another as markets changed. Whaling was also an important commercial activity, carried out periodically for over a century from about 1850.
By the mid-1920s, previously cleared land again supported Norfolk Island pines, but dense stands occurred only in areas too steep to support grazing (Benson 1980). Introduced weeds invaded the remnant rainforest to the north of the mountains, and very little of the original vegetation was left in its virgin state (Benson 1980). Following wartime construction of the airfield, the economy of the island changed, and tourism became the dominant industry on Norfolk Island.

1.2.6        Native species
Norfolk Island has 58 threatened species listed under the EPBC Act comprising 46 plants, five birds, two reptiles and five endemic land snails (two of which are likely extinct). An additional six bird species are known to have become extinct in historical times, along with two endemic plant species. Alongside the threatened species are many other terrestrial species including birds, invertebrates and plants.

Fauna
Norfolk Island has 12 fauna species that are listed under the EPBC Act as threatened, comprising four land birds, one seabird, two reptiles and five endemic land snails (Table 4). Six species of land birds, endemic to the island, are listed as extinct under the EPBC Act, while another species that has become extinct since European settlement, the Norfolk Island ground dove (Gallicolumba norfolciensis), is not listed under the Act. There are a further 22 species of birds occurring on Norfolk Island that are listed as migratory or marine under the EPBC Act (Table 8). There are 32 species relevant to Norfolk Island National Park and Botanic Garden that relate to one or more of the bilateral migratory bird agreements with Japan (JAMBA), China (CAMBA) and the Republic of Korea (ROKAMBA). Of those species, two are listed threatened species and discussed in this plan.

Invertebrate fauna

Norfolk Island's invertebrate fauna — like that of many islands around the world — is relatively depauperate, with many groups having few or no species present. However, it is richer than would be expected given the