World
You are viewing an archived copy of the 2017 report.
Key messages
Key Findings — Great Barrier Reef
State
- Great Barrier Reef World Heritage natural criteria
The Great Barrier Reef meets all four World Heritage natural criteria: natural phenomena and exceptional natural beauty; representing major stages of earth’s history; significant ongoing ecological and biological processes; and contain the most important and significant habitat.
- Great Barrier Reef World Heritage condition
While the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the Great Barrier Reef remains in good condition, the overall condition of some key attributes is poor and many have deteriorated since its World Heritage listing in 1981.
Pressure
- Climate change pressure on the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area
At a reef-wide scale, climate related variables are already having an effect, and are predicted to have an increasing impact on the Great Barrier Reef’s Outstanding Universal Value (OUV).
- Coastal development pressure on the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area
Changes to coastal habitat and reductions in connectivity are having an increasing effect on the Great Barrier Reef’s Outstanding Universal Value (OUV).
- Land-based run-off pressure on the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area
Although declining marine water quality is one of the most significant threats to the Great Barrier Reef, agricultural practices are improving resulting in reductions in land-based run-off entering the region and the resulting impact on the Reef’s Outstanding Universal Value (OUV).
- Direct use pressure on the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area
At a reef-wide scale, direct use of the region is a significant economic contributor and its impact on the Great Barrier Reef’s Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) is projected to increase with population growth.
- Crown-of-thorns starfish pressure on the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area
Crown-of-thorns starfish are a major predator of coral. Evidence suggests increased nutrient loads contribute to more frequent outbreaks which result in coral cover decline and deterioration of the Great Barrier Reef’s Outstanding Universal Value (OUV).
Programs
| World Heritage List | Natural and cultural places of ‘outstanding universal value’ selected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). |
| Eye on the Reef | Eye on the Reef program enables anyone who visits the Great Barrier Reef to contribute to its long-term protection by collecting valuable information about the reef health, marine animals and incidents. Contributions range from sharing photos through the app to undertaking rapid surveys of key species. All information collected through the Eye on the Reef program is combined into a centralised data reporting system available to marine park managers and researchers. |
| Great Barrier Reef Report Card and Paddock to Reef Integrated Monitoring, Modelling and Reporting Program (Paddock to Reef Program) | The Great Barrier Reef Report Card reports annually on inshore marine condition for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. It also assesses progress towards the Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan goal and targets aimed at improving land management and the quality of water entering the reef. Assessments are made through the Paddock to Reef program which uses a combination of monitoring and modelling approaches to report on water quality, land management and catchment health indicators including wetland and riparian areas, as well as marine water quality, seagrass and coral health. This information is also used in reporting to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. |
| Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report | Every five years, the Outlook Report examines the Great Barrier Reef’s health, pressures and likely future. It provides a snapshot of current condition and trend of GBR values and threats (through theme assessments). It also examines progress in protecting the reef through an assessment of management effectiveness. |
Key Findings — Wet Tropics of Queensland
State
- Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage natural criteria
The Wet Tropics of Queensland meets all four World Heritage natural criteria, displaying: features of exceptional natural beauty; outstanding examples of the major stages in the earth’s evolutionary history; outstanding examples of ongoing ecological processes and biological evolution; and is a centre of biological diversity and the only habitat for numerous threatened species.
- Wet Tropics of Queensland integrity
Invasive species, pathogens and climate change are impacting the Wet Tropics’ Outstanding Universal Value (OUV).
Pressure
- Climate change pressure on the Wet Tropics of Queensland
The Wet Tropics of Queensland is recognised as being extremely sensitive to climate change which is changing the distribution patterns and population densities of many Wet Tropics species.
- Invasive species and pathogens pressure on the Wet Tropics of Queensland
Introduction and spread of invasive species and pathogens throughout the Wet Tropics bioregion is increasing more rapidly than can be managed through existing programs for their removal.
Programs
| World Heritage List | Natural and cultural places of ‘outstanding universal value’ selected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). |
| Annual and State of the Wet Tropics reports | Since 2007 the Wet Tropics Management Authority has developed a thematic approach to the State of Wet Tropics Report, with each report summarising the scientific information in relation to each theme, and identifying current and future management actions. The Annual Report satisfies the requirements of Queensland’s Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993 and other relevant legislation. |
| IUCN Conservation Outlook Assessments | The IUCN Conservation Outlook Assessments outline how likely the World Heritage Sites are to maintain Outstanding Universal Value over time. The Conservation Outlook Assessments are based on best available information mobilized from a wide range of sources. |
Key Findings — Riversleigh section of Australian Fossil Mammal Sites
State
- Riversleigh section of the Australian Fossil Mammal Sites World Heritage natural criteria
The Riversleigh section of the Australian Fossil Mammal Sites meets two World Heritage natural criteria: major stages of earth’s history and ongoing geological processes.
- Riversleigh section of the Australian Fossil Mammal Sites World Heritage integrity
The Riversleigh World Heritage Area is representative of the fossil deposits considered adequate to maintain its Outstanding Universal Value (OUV).
Pressure
- Illegal removal of fossils at Riversleigh section of Australian Fossil Mammal Sites
Threats to Riversleigh include vandalism and the illegal removal of fossils from the area.
- Research activities at the Riversleigh section of Australian Fossil Mammal Sites
Permitted excavation and removal of fossil material for analysis is undertaken sustainably and poses a low threat to the Riversleigh’s fossil site.
Programs
| World Heritage List | Natural and cultural places of ‘outstanding universal value’ selected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). |
| IUCN Conservation Outlook Assessments | The IUCN Conservation Outlook Assessments outline how likely the World Heritage Sites are to maintain Outstanding Universal Value over time. The Conservation Outlook Assessments are based on best available information mobilized from a wide range of sources. |
Key Findings — Fraser Island
State
- Fraser Island World Heritage natural criteria
Fraser Island meets three World Heritage natural criteria: natural phenomena and exceptional natural beauty; representing major stages of earth’s history; and significant ongoing ecological and biological processes.
- Fraser Island World Heritage integrity
Fraser Island is sufficiently large, diverse and largely free from disturbance, and contains all the geological, geomorphological, hydrological and ecosystem components required for continued viability.
Pressure
- Invasive species and pathogens pressure on Fraser Island
The introduction of invasive plants, animals and pathogens to the Fraser Island World Heritage Area is having a negative impact on some values.
- Tourism pressure on Fraser Island
Increased tourism in the Fraser Island World Heritage Area is acting as a driver for a number of threats.
- Climate change pressure on Fraser Island
Climate change is predicted to impact on some of the physical characteristics of the Fraser Island World Heritage Area.
- Altered fire regimes pressure on Fraser Island
Appropriate fire regimes are critical to maintaining many of the property’s World Heritage values.
Programs
| World Heritage List | Natural and cultural places of ‘outstanding universal value’ selected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). |
| IUCN Conservation Outlook Assessments | The IUCN Conservation Outlook Assessments outline how likely the World Heritage Sites are to maintain Outstanding Universal Value over time. The Conservation Outlook Assessments are based on best available information mobilized from a wide range of sources. |
Key Findings — Gondwana Rainforests of Australia
State
- Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage natural criteria
Gondwana Rainforests of Australia meets three World Heritage natural criteria: representing major stages of earth’s history; significant ongoing ecological and biological processes; and contain the most important and significant habitat.
- Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage integrity
World Heritage values of Gondwana Rainforests of Australia are maintained through a mosaic of sites.
Pressure
- Climate change pressure on the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia
Climate change presents one of the greatest emerging challenges for the protection of Gondwana Rainforests World Heritage values.
- Invasive species and pathogens pressure on the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia
Invasive plants, animals and pathogens pose a threat to Gondwana Rainforests World Heritage values.
- Tourism pressure on the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia
Tourism has minor and site-specific impacts on Gondwana Rainforests World Heritage values.
- Altered fire regimes pressure on the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia
Appropriate fire regimes are critical to maintaining many of the property’s World Heritage values.
- Fragmentation pressure on the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia
The most significant threats from fragmentation are limited to the smaller, more isolated reserves, primarily in the New South Wales section of the property.
Programs
| World Heritage List | Natural and cultural places of ‘outstanding universal value’ selected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). |
| IUCN Conservation Outlook Assessments | The IUCN Conservation Outlook Assessments outline how likely the World Heritage Sites are to maintain Outstanding Universal Value over time. The Conservation Outlook Assessments are based on best available information mobilized from a wide range of sources. |