The Greater Blue Mountains Area was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000 in recognition of its outstanding natural values and global ecological significance. The World Heritage designation protects more than one million hectares across eight conservation reserves, encompassing sandstone plateaus, gorges, forests, and heathlands. This region represents an exceptional example of the evolution of Australia’s distinctive eucalypt-dominated flora. The area is notable for its remarkable plant diversity, boasting nearly 100 species of eucalypts, which account for 13% of all eucalypt species worldwide. The Greater Blue Mountains also provide critical habitat for numerous rare and threatened species, including the Wollemi pine—a so-called “living fossil” once thought extinct. The UNESCO listing acknowledges the region’s unique biodiversity, its importance for evolutionary studies, and its value as a refuge for ancient plant life that has persisted in restricted microsites for millions of years. This status not only highlights the global importance of the Blue Mountains’ natural heritage but also ensures stronger protections and international recognition for the region’s ongoing conservation.
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