The oceanography and marine ecology of Ningaloo, a World Heritage Area

Ningaloo Coast harbors one of the longest and most extensive fringing coral reef systems globally, alongside significant populations of large marine fauna like whale sharks. This ecological richness stems from unique climatic, geomorphologic, and oceanographic conditions, including low land runoff due to arid climate, warm water brought by the Leeuwin Current, and nutrient-rich upwelling events during austral summer. However, recent marine heatwaves since 2011 have caused coral mortality, though less severely than in other regions. Wave-generated cooling currents mitigate warming but not universally. Herbivores are abundant, and brown algae stands support fish recruitment. The study predicts future pressures from a weaker yet more variable Leeuwin Current and increased human use, emphasizing the need for local management actions to counteract these threats.

Vanderklift, M. A., Babcock, R. C., Barnes, P. B., Cresswell, A. K., Feng, M., Haywood, M. D. E., Holmes, T. H., Lavery, P. S., Pillans, R. D., Smallwood, C. B., Thomson, D. P., Tucker, A. D., Waples, K., & Wilson, S. K. (2020). The oceanography and marine ecology of Ningaloo, a World Heritage Area. Oceanography and Marine Biology, 143–178. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429351495-4