Why Shark Bay (Australia) is a World Heritage SiteShark Bay is recognized as one of the World Heritage Sites as it falls within all four main categories which are:* “ as an exceptional example representing the main phases of the earth's evolutionary history;* as an exceptional example representing important ongoing ecological and biological processes;* as an example of superlative natural phenomena; and* Containing important and significant habitats for the in situ conservation of biological diversity. last of their kind. This contributes to the beauty of the flora and the importance of the area. Shark Bay is well known for its beautiful marine wildlife. The populations of animal life in this area are numerous. This contributes to its importance of being on the world heritage list. The region is also known for the diversity of many reptiles and amphibians that have adapted very well to the stromatolites of this area and have used these formations as their home. There are in fact 12 species of sea grass in Shark Bay making it one of the most diverse seagrass areas in the world. These marine algae have contributed significantly to the evolution of Shark Bay and alongside which cyanobacteria have created many homes for the wide variety of organisms that exist. Barrier banks associated with marine algal growth over the last 5000 years and low rainfall have contributed to the saline Hamelin Pool and Lharidon Bight. These very salty conditions are best for the reproduction and growth of cyanobacteria which trap and bind sediment to produce a variety of mats and other structures including stromatolites. Stromatolites are found in Shark Bay and represent the oldest form of life on earth. The saltiness of this area provides the best conditions for the growth of cyanobacteria which trap and bind sediment to produce a variety of mats and structures, including these