Why Shark Bay (Australia) is a World Heritage Site :: Biology

Why Shark Bay (Australia) is a World Heritage Site Shark bay is recognised as one of the worlds heritage sites as it fits into all four of the major categories they are: * â€Å" as an outstanding example representing the major stages in the earth’s evolutionary history; * as an outstanding example representing significant ongoing ecological and biological processes; * as an example of superlative natural phenomena; and * Containing important and significant habitats for in situ conservation of biological diversity.† (June 4th Shark Bay World Heritage area: http://www.geology.ucdavis.edu) The shark bay region has a number of plant species that are threatened and the last of their kind.This contributes to the beautiful flora and importance of the area. Shark bay is well known for its beautiful marine fauna. The populations of animal life in this area are of great numbers. This contributes to its importance of being on the world heritage list. The region is also noted for the diversity of many reptiles and amphibians they have adapted very well to the stromatolites in this area and have used theses formations as there homes. There are in fact 12 species of sea grass in Shark bay which make it one of the most varied seagrass areas in the world. These Sea grasses have contributed significantly to the evolution of Shark bay and along side which the cyanobacteria have made many homes for the vast variety of organisms existing. The barrier banks associated with the growth of the sea grass over the last 5000 years as well as the low rainfall has contributed to the saline Hamelin Pool and Lharidon Bight. These very salty conditions are best for the reproduction and growth of the cyanobacteria which trap and bind sediments to produce a variety of mat and other structures including stromatolites. Stromatolites are found at shark bay and they represent the oldest form of life on earth. The saltiness of this area has the best conditions for the growth of cyanobacteria which trap and bind sediment to produce a variety of mats and structures including these