Diversity in the Galapagos Islands - 861 Words

If not for Charles Darwin, shown on the right, the world might not see the Galapagos Islands how we do today. The islands hold exotic and extraordinary plants and animals. Of these animals, some are going extinct or have already gone extinct. There are many varieties of natural and introduced plant life. Charles Darwin was born February 12, 1809 in Shrewsbury, England. He sailed on the HMS Beagle in 1831. He knew he was going to the Galapagos, but he didnt know that he would discover the theory of evolution. The plants on the Galapagos Island are very tropical and numerous in varietes. According to the Galapagos Conservancy there are about six hundred and forty native species of of plants on the Galapagos Islands. There are about eight hundred and twenty five introducer species. One hundred of the introduced species have become established in the wild. There are three major zones that the plants live in ; the coastal zone, the arid zone, and the highlands zone. In the coastal zone mangrove trees are very common and have an important role for bird breeding sites. The arid zone is very dry and has adapted to the drought conditions. Some of these plants that have adapted to the drought conditions are the succulent cacti and the leafless shrub, which only grows leaves in the rainy season. The humid zones are lush and green. There are mosses and epiphytes growing on trees for support. Some animals like the Galapagos penguin, shown on the right have adapted to theShow MoreRelatedThe Galapagos Islands1539 Words   |  7 PagesThe Galapagos Islands The Galapagos Islands are a group of 16 islands located in the Pacific Ocean that straddle the equator about 525 miles west of the South American Coastline. The islands were formed by underwater volcanoes millions of years ago and belong to Ecuador. The Galapagos are well known for their vast diversity in plant and animal populations. Some of the plant and animal life found on the islands cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The Galapagos Islands are considered toRead MoreThe Galapagos Of Fossil Fuels On Galapagos1289 Words   |  6 Pagesenergy such as coal and oil. Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands are beginning to use renewable energy sources in an effort to protect the Galapagos from the dangers of fossil fuels. Ecuador’s and the Galapagos use of wind, solar, and biofuels in the place of fossil fuel help reduce the use of coal and oil energy in boats, cars, and generators. Ecuador and the Galapagos plans have several plans for more renewable energy sources that w ill make the Galapagos a completely sustainable archipelago in theRead MoreCulture of Ecuador and the Glapagos Islands1469 Words   |  6 PagesEcuador and the Glapagos Islands Meghan Lazor Ecuador is South America’s second smallest country and is regarded as one of the most geographically and ethnically diverse countries on the continent. 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The voyage lasted for five years, and upon returning to England, he compiled hisRead MoreNational Parks Across The Planet2117 Words   |  9 Pagesof islands about 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, became officially recognized as an Ecuadorian National Park in 1959, and later a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 (Galapagos Islands Geology Volcanoes, n.d.). None other than the Galapagos Islands themselves, the park is perhaps one of, if not the most captivating National Parks on the globe. When one hears â€Å"Galapagos Islands,† the ecological diversity is often the first association brought to mind. While it holds true that the islands containRead MoreAdaptive Radiation And Species Diversification1490 Words   |  6 PagesSpeciation events occur in situations such as adaptive radiation and are what drive new branches to form on the tree of life. Adaptive radiation is a central idea in Beak of the Finch as the work of the Grants demonstrates that the finches of the Galà ¡pagos Islands stand as a key example of how new species form and adapt, resulting in the thirteen different finch species along with the variations within each. â€Å"Darwin’s finches are also a classic model of speciation: again, they figure in virtually all ofRead More219 Module Two Google Earth Exercises Student Essay1170 Words   |  5 Pagesresponses in Blackboard. Galapagos  Islands Chapter 4. This island group is famous as the site at which Charles Darwin collected evidence for evolution of species. Because the islands are so isolated, they were free of human inhabitants until relatively recently. Most of the animals never developed a fear of humans. It is a popular ecotourist destination today because of its biodiversity and historic scientific importance.    Questions: 1. Approximately how many islands can you see in this group?