Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01389:body:0:p20
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01389
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 56691–59702

enforcement activities that can be undertaken.

What we are going to do

Policies
    Policies 3.1.1 and 3.1.2 apply to the Marine Reserve Zone.

Actions
    3.2.1           So far as is practicable, support the implementation of relevant species recovery plans, particularly for marine turtles, and threat abatement plans. This may include contributing to off and on park recovery actions.

    3.2.2           Assess and monitor threats to marine ecosystems and species (including biosecurity threats and marine debris) and work with stakeholders to implement threat mitigation measures (see also Action 3.1.11).

    3.3              Research and monitoring

Background
Research and monitoring provides baseline and updated information about the resources of the park, visitor use and impacts. Monitoring is an essential management tool for keeping track of changes to the environment and for measuring the success of management actions.
During the life of the previous plan a number of studies were undertaken including investigations into the status of the Cocos buff-banded rail population, coral reefs and marine resources. In addition, a risk assessment was undertaken on the impact of climate change on the Indian Ocean Territories, and monitoring of crazy ants, weeds, seabirds and marine turtles was undertaken. Vegetation mapping also progressed, with the use of high-resolution aerial imagery, followed by ground-truthing of data.
A primary ecological value of North Keeling Island is its role as a seabird colony and as critical habitat for the endangered and endemic Cocos buff-banded rail. To increase knowledge and the capacity to manage these seabird species successfully, research and monitoring should be directed towards the breeding success, habitat utilisation and factors affecting adult and juvenile mortality of seabirds and Cocos buff-banded rail.
The vegetation of North Keeling Island is also particularly significant as the last intact remnant of the original Cocos (Keeling) Islands flora. Before being visited by people, colonisation of North Keeling Island by plants and animals occurred only by wind, pelagic drift, flight or animal carriage. The origins and development of the flora and fauna of the island provide biologists with unique research opportunities into the origin of species and access to uniquely primitive species forms. Developing in isolation and with minimal human impact, Cordia subcordata, which generally occurs as a stunted shrub elsewhere, reaches the size of a large tree; the Pisonia grandis trees of the island are exceptionally taller than usual; and the coconut trees of the island are a rare source of one of the earliest forms of the species.
A strong focus of research and monitoring on North Keeling Island has been surveys and assessment of data associated with the red-footed booby population. These surveys have been conducted regularly since 1986. This ongoing program has become significant for monitoring one of the park's key values and