Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01389:body:0:p89
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01389
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 258163–260880

Cocos and Keeling Group. Closed canopy forests on the island are unusual as they are composed of species generally found as stunted shrubs in successional forests on the shoreline of tropical islands elsewhere in the region. The island is of very high importance to Indian Island seabird populations, supporting the most diverse populations in this ocean. Nineteen species are found on the island, 12 of which breed here. This is significant as the island is the only rookery within 900 kilometres. The island also supports a diverse land crab population, with six species occurring here. The island is the habitat of several rare species including the robber crab, which is listed as vulnerable to extinction in the IUCN red data book. The buff-banded rail, listed as endangered by IUCN, is restricted to this island. Two species of turtle listed as endangered by IUCN, the green and hawksbill turtles, nest on the island's beaches. The island is also significant as one of the four remaining red-footed booby nesting areas in the world. The Cocos Islands were the only coral atolls visited by Charles Darwin in the 1830s. The flora and fauna observed by Darwin on Cocos Island at that time is now found only on North Keeling.
The island is of particular significance in the history of Australia in World War I, due to the sinking of the SMS Emden by the HMAS Sydney in 1914. The wreck of the Emden is also significant as a wrecksite of a World War I cruiser, which has research potential in marine archaeology.
Commonwealth Heritage official values
Criterion A
The place has significant heritage value because of the place's importance in the course, or pattern, of Australia's natural or cultural history
Values
   * North Keeling Island is of unique importance to Indian Island seabird populations, supporting the most diverse population in the Indian Ocean. Nineteen species are found on the island, 12 of which breed here. The island is the only seabird rookery within 900 kilometres.
   * The island also supports a diverse land crab population, with six species occurring here.
   * It is significant in island biogeography as one of the few pristine islands in the Indian Ocean.
   * It contains rare ecosystems that have evolved in isolation.
   * It is the only remaining undisturbed island in the Cocos Keeling Group that retains original flora and fauna.
Criterion B
The place has significant heritage value because of the place's possession of uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of Australia's natural or cultural history
Values
   * The robber crab found on North Keeling Island is listed as vulnerable to extinction in the IUCN red data book.
   * The buff-banded rail, listed as endangered by IUCN,