5/26/2023 0 Comments Atoll meaningThe atoll constitutes a refuge for over 400 endemic species and subspecies (including vertebrates, invertebrates and plants). Due to minimal human interference, these ecological processes can be clearly observed in their full complexity.Ĭriterion (x): Aldabra provides an outstanding natural laboratory for scientific research and discovery. The atoll's isolation has also allowed the evolution of endemic flora and fauna. The tortoises feed on grasses and shrubbery, including plants which have evolved in response to its grazing patterns. The top of the terrestrial food chain is, unusually, occupied by an herbivore: the giant tortoise. The size and morphological diversity of the atoll has permitted the development of a variety of discrete insular communities with a high incidence of endemicity among the constituent species. Most of the land surface comprises ancient coral reef (~125,000 years old) which has been repeatedly raised above sea level. Marine habitats range from coral reefs to seagrass beds and mangrove mudflats with minimal human impact.Ĭriterion (ix): The property is an outstanding example of an oceanic island ecosystem in which evolutionary processes are active within a rich biota. Geomorphologic processes have produced a rugged topography, which supports a variety of habitats with a relatively rich biota for an oceanic island and a high degree of endemism. The lagoon contains many smaller islands and the entire atoll is surrounded by an outer fringing reef. The richness and diversity of the ocean and landscapes result in an array of colours and formations that contribute to the atoll's scenic and aesthetic appeal.Ĭriterion (vii): Aldabra Atoll consists of four main islands of coral limestone separated by narrow passes and enclosing a large shallow lagoon, providing a superlative spectacle of natural phenomena. It is home to the largest giant tortoise population in the world. Aldabra is one of the largest atolls in the world, and contains one of the most important natural habitats for studying evolutionary and ecological processes. Due to its remoteness and inaccessibility, the atoll has remained largely untouched by humans for the majority of its existence. Located in the Indian Ocean, the Aldabra Atoll is an outstanding example of a raised coral atoll.
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