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Home , Lord Howe Island, Mount Gower, Mount Lidgbird

Group

Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1982 Lord Howe Island Group

Map produced by the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts © Commonwealth of 2008

37 Lord Howe Island Group

Of volcanic origin, the The Lord Howe Island Group was inscribed on the World living on, or visiting, the islands. A number of these are rare Lord Howe Island Group Heritage List in 1982 for its outstanding natural universal or endangered. values: has an exceptional The endangered woodhen is one of the world's rarest bird diversity of spectacular • as an example of superlative natural phenomena species. During the 20th century the population of woodhens and scenic landscapes experienced a significant decline in numbers as a result • containing important and significant habitats for in situ within a small area. of hunting by humans, habitat loss and disturbance by conservation of biological diversity. feral animals. Over the last few years a successful captive LordThe sheer slopes of its Howe Island Group Located 700 kilometres north-east of and covering breeding program and other conservation measures have volcanic mountains an area of 1,463 km2, the Lord Howe Island Group comprises increased the numbers of these small flightless birds to and the dramatic rock Lord Howe Island, Admiralty Islands, Mutton Bird Islands, around 220. formation Ball’s Pyramid Ball's Pyramid, and associated reefs and marine The islands are one of two known breeding areas for the rise out of an underwater environments. world that is one of the , a species that is also found nesting on Nearly seven million years ago geologic movement of the , near . The Lord Howe Island most beautiful in the (an underwater plateau) gave birth to a large Group contains what is probably the largest breeding world. These marine shield on its western edge. Over time the sea eroded concentration in the world of the red-tailed tropicbird, and ecosystems form the 90 per cent of the original volcano, leaving the islands that the most southerly breeding colony of the . southernmost true coral today comprise the Lord Howe Island Group. reef in the world. The waters surrounding Lord Howe Island provide an Lord Howe Island has a spectacular landscape with the unusual mixture of temperate and tropical organisms. The isolation of this volcanic mountains of (875 metres) and The reef is the southern-most in the world and special place at the (777 metres) towering above the sea. The provides a rare example of the transition between coral junction of tropical and central low-lying area provides a marked contrast to the and algal reefs. A marine national park was declared by the temperate latitudes adjacent mountains and northern hills. State of in 1999 to increase protection of has led to tremendous the marine environment. A Commonwealth Marine Reserve There are 241 different species of native plants, of which biodiversity. The Lord was declared in 2002, covering most of the World Heritage 105 are endemic to Lord Howe Island. Most of the island property and extending around Lord Howe Island and Ball’s Howe Island Group is one is dominated by rainforests and palm . Grasslands Pyramid from three to 12 nautical miles. of the major breeding occur on the more exposed areas of Lord Howe Island and sites for in the on the offshore islands. Most of the main island and all of It is believed Europeans discovered Lord Howe Island when southwest Pacific. the offshore islands are included in the Lord Howe Island it was sighted from the British colonial naval vessel HMS Permanent Park Preserve. Supply in 1788, en route from Sydney to the on Norfolk Island. The first landing was made two months later The islands support extensive colonies of nesting seabirds, on the return voyage to Sydney. and at least 168 bird species have been recorded either

38 Lord Howe Island Group 9 3 Spanish dancers - Spanish nudibranchs or slugs ea The Island is the most southerly breeding colony of the the of colony breeding southerly most is the Island The centre: above booby masked Lord on in winter , flowers howinsula Sophora tree, vitae Lignum : The above Island Howe All images : Ian Hutton & DEWHA Hutton : Ian All images Aerial view of Lord Howe Island Group, capturing the spectacular spectacular the capturing Group, Island Howe Lord of view Aerial page: title landscape volcanic scenic and Gower Mount from view strip: The top as such animals marine fascinating support Island the around Waters top: s By the 1830s there was a small permanent settlement in settlement permanent a small was there 1830s the By a made settlers The island. main the of area lowland the vegetables, by growing and , and hunting by living ships. passing with trade for meat and fruit Island Howe Lord to introduced were which goats, and Pigs vegetation extensive caused and wild went later food, for native of populations threatening changes, habitat and a wrecked from in 1918 island the on arrived Rats species. extinction the for responsible been since have and ship, been have there decade last the Over species. bird five of pigs, Wild animals. feral these control to efforts intensive eradicated. successfully been have goats and cats an on embarked also has Board Island Howe Lord The early is in the and strategy eradication weed ambitious programme eradication a for planning of stages trials. field and approvals licensing necessary to subject the are under islands associated its and Island Howe Lord Island Howe Lord the of management and control care, is required Board the functions, its out carrying When Board. the of status Heritage World the to regard particular have to was area the which for values those conserve to and area list. the on inscribed