Anchialine Habitats

Connected Sites: 4

Bodies of haline water usually with a restricted exposure to the open air, always with more or less extensive subterranean connections to the sea and showing noticeable marine as well as terrestrial influences". Anchialine habitats include landlocked open pools, similar pools in the interior of caves and entirely submerged cave passages

Connected Sites

  • Jeju
    Jeju
    Republic of Korea
    Inscribed: 2007
    3.52
    118
    10
    Yongcheon Lava Tube Lake "The lake appears to be a unique feature that has not been reported in other lava tubes around the world although there are a number of lakes known in lava tubes. There is some evidence that this lake is anchialine (freshwater lies on top of more saline water) and the presence of aquatic invertebrates (copepods) demands that this lake be more closely studied, and carefully conserved, as such anchialine communities have proved to be of very considerable significance elsewhere around the world." - Nomination File
  • Galapagos Islands
    Galapagos Islands
    Ecuador
    Inscribed: 1978
    4.60
    114
    9

    See www.tamug.edu
  • Ningaloo Coast
    Ningaloo Coast
    Australia
    Inscribed: 2011
    3.48
    38
    4
    An unprepossessing exterior protects the secrets of Bundera Sinkhole; a closer look over its rocky edge reveals aquamarine waters and a wealth of anchialine life (Nom File)
  • Hawaii Volcanoes
    Hawaii Volcanoes
    United States of America
    Inscribed: 1987
    4.04
    152
    12

    See science.nature.nps.gov