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Biodiversity and Conservation in the Galapagos Islands
Information Sheet
Flora and fauna of the Galapagos
There is a tremendous amount of biological diversity, or biodiversity, in the Galapagos
Islands, due to the unique climate and diverse range of habitats. The isolation of the
islands, surrounded by deep ocean and being located nearly 1000km from the coast of
Ecuador, has resulted in the evolution of hundreds of endemic species - species found
nowhere else in the world.
This makes the islands incredibly interesting to scientists, particularly those following in
the footsteps of Charles Darwin, whose theory of evolution by natural selection was
inspired by the ecosystems and species of the Galapagos.
The endemic species of the Galapagos Islands represent a diverse range of groups:
Species group
Mammals
Birds
Reptiles
Fish
Invertebrates
Plants
Example
Santiago Galapagos mouse, Nesoryzomys swarthi
Galapagos penguin, Spheniscus mendiculus
Galapagos giant tortoises, Geochelone spp.
Galapagos shark, Carcharhinus galapagensis
Galapagos land snail, Bulimulus reibischi
Galapagos tomato, Solanum cheesmaniae
Galapagos habitats and ecosystems
Despite being geologically young and formed through volcanic activity, the reason for the
high diversity of species on the Galapagos Islands is the variety of different habitats on
different islands.
Variation in climate, altitude and nutrient supply has encouraged a range of habitats, in
turn providing a range of niches for species to occupy. Geographical separation and
natural selection has meant that the populations from the mainland that originally
colonised the islands have become so different that they can no longer reproduce with
the existing mainland populations, making them evolutionarily distinct species.
The main habitats of the Galapagos Islands are:
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Arid lowlands dominated by cacti
Subtropical forests, including daisy trees
Higher altitude moist forests
With kind support from
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Treeless uplands dominated by ferns
Barren, volcanic plains
Exposed rocky coastal shores and beaches
Temperate coastal waters
Cold, deep ocean
Conservation
The unique species and habitats of the Galapagos Islands make it a particularly
interesting place for scientists. This has also meant that there has been considerable
effort to preserve the islands in their natural state, as close as possible to the islands
before they were discovered and colonised. The following steps have been instrumental
in making the Galapagos Islands one of the best preserved tropical archipelagos in the
world:
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1955 - 97.5% of land area declared a National Park by the Ecuadorian
government
Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) was also founded in 1955 - an international
non-governmental organisation dedicated to conservation on the islands
CDF Conservation projects are run in conjunction with Galapagos National Park
service including eradication of introduced species that threaten endemic wildlife
e.g. goats, rats
1978 – Galapagos Islands declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site
70,000km2 area around the islands is now a designated marine reserve and
whale sanctuary
Sustainable development
The Galapagos Islands National Park Service does not want to preserve the islands to
the complete exclusion of human residents. They have opted for a sustainable
development program, allowing some development and sustainable agriculture and
fisheries. The way they do this is by splitting the various islands into zones with varying
degrees of protection:
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Natural Land Areas (National Park)
 Absolute protection – pristine areas where only observation and
monitoring is allowed
 Conservation and ecosystem restoration – area with some degree
of alteration, tourism permitted with guide, research with minimal
impact
With kind support from
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Low impact – peripheral areas with alteration e.g. near
agricultural, urban areas and roads
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Natural Marine Areas (Marine Reserve)
 Multiple use zone
 Limited use zone with various levels of restrictions e.g. on fishing,
tourism, recreation
 Port zone with varying restrictions
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Human space
 Rural area
 Urban area
The restrictions applicable to these areas are enforced by the National Park Service.
The problem is that sometimes human interests conflict with the native species’ best
interests, meaning that the Galapagos Island ecosystem constantly faces an array of
threats.
Principal source: Dirección del Parque Nacional Galápagos http://www.galapagospark.org/
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