However, this native vegetation has largely been cleared, with remaining vegetation now mostly conserved in Norfolk Island National Park (approximately 462 ha, including Philip and Nepean Islands). Pre-European settlement, vegetation of the island comprised subtropical rainforest consisting primarily of Araucaria heterophylla (Norfolk Island pine). ![]() It has a subtropical climate with an average rainfall of around 1300 mm per year (falling throughout the year but mostly in June and July) and an average temperature range of 12-20 ☌ in winter and 19-25 ☌ in summer. Norfolk Island is the largest of the Norfolk Island group at 32 km2. Soils are uniformly deep volcanic overlying basalt. Norfolk and Philip Islands are the weathered remnants of volcanoes on the Norfolk Ridge linking New Caledonia and New Zealand. It is comprised of three small islands, the inhabited main island-Norfolk Island, with two smaller uninhabited islands-Nepean Island, 1 km to the south, and Philip Island 6 km to the south. The biota of this island group is distinct from Australia and other countries. The Norfolk Island group (-29☀2’S 167★7’E) is an external Australian territory situated approximately 1400 km due east of Evans Head on the eastern seaboard of the Australian mainland. The Pest Risk Area to which these conditions apply is the Norfolk Island group. Such incursions may threaten Norfolk Island’s unique flora and fauna and, in turn, the tourist and agricultural businesses of the island that depend on a relatively pest-free environment. Australia’s biosecurity policies aim to prevent exotic pests from entering, establishing and spreading on the island. Under the Biosecurity Act 2015, the Australian Commonwealth is responsible for maintaining the plant biosecurity of Norfolk Island. ![]() Australia and Norfolk Island biosecurity policy framework
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |