Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01389:body:0:p5
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01389
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 14427–17275

is significant to studies of island biogeography because of its evolution in isolation. The Cocos (Keeling) Islands were the only coral atolls visited by Charles Darwin in the 1830s. The assemblage of flora and fauna observed by Darwin on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands is now found only on North Keeling Island.

Management of the park
Pulu Keeling National Park was proclaimed on 12 December 1995. The park is a Commonwealth reserve under the EPBC Act and is managed by the Director of National Parks in accordance with the Act, the regulations made under it, and this management plan.
This plan sets out how the park and its natural and cultural values will be managed, protected and conserved for the next 10 years.

Natural heritage management
Natural heritage management within the park is primarily focused on biodiversity monitoring and management of invasive species, with some limited opportunities for research. Limitations in accessing the park during the year make comprehensive on-ground management difficult to achieve, but also reduce the likelihood and impacts of threats.
The park is home to thousands of migratory birds and is listed as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. Monitoring of bird populations in the park is ongoing, with particular attention given to the red-footed booby population.
Recent studies of fish species observed in the park provided a baseline list of 201 species of fish from 41 families. This list is likely to significantly lengthen in future surveys. Monitoring of the health of coral within the park will also continue.
During the life of the previous plan, the central lagoon closed to the sea due to natural deposition of sediment. This natural change in ecological character has impacted on the biodiversity of the park, removing habitats for some species (particularly marine species within the lagoon) and providing new opportunities for others. As a result, ongoing change in the distribution, abundance and health of species within the park will need careful monitoring.
Six exotic or naturalised plant species occur on North Keeling Island. A survey program (the Island Wide Survey) which includes a weed-mapping component was initiated in late 2009 and repeated in 2012; this will guide future weed management programs.
The invasive yellow crazy ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes) is found across the island and is a possible threat to the Pisonia grandis forest – as yellow crazy ants are associated with large populations of scale insects, particularly Pulvinaria urbicola, that are also implicated in the canopy dieback of pisonia. While such scale has not been detected in the park, careful biosecurity measures and monitoring need to be undertaken to ensure accidental introduction of scale insects and other foreign and invasive species, such as rats and weeds,