What are people doing to protect the Galapagos Islands?
In 1998, the Ecuadorian government enacted the Galápagos Special Law, a legal framework to protect the Galápagos, and created the Galápagos Marine Reserve. WWF supported its establishment and continues to be involved in the management process that helps the reserve succeed.
Why are the Galapagos Islands in danger?
The Galapagos Islands, which have been called a unique “living museum and showcase of evolution” were inscribed on the Danger List in 2007 because of threats posed by invasive species, unbridled tourism and overfishing. The Committee found that significant progress had been made by Ecuador in addressing these problems.
What could be an effect of this human activity on Finch biodiversity?
Human activity can influence the gut microbiota of Darwin’s finches in the Galapagos. Summary: In the Galapagos Islands, Darwin’s finches drawn to junk food are experiencing changes in their gut microbiota and their body mass as compared to finches that don’t encounter human food, according to a new study.
What is the one of the threats to the existence of islands today?
The Threat: Sea-Level Rise The existence or well-being of many small island states is mainly threatened by climate change and sea-level rise over the next century and beyond . Sea-level rise will pose a serious threat to the ecosystems, economy, and, in some cases, existence of many small island states.
How is pollution affecting the Galapagos Islands?
Pollution can have a devastating effect on the native wildlife of Galapagos, especially plastic pollution. Debris in the ocean is mistaken for food by marine creatures such as turtles and ingested, and rubbish can cause injuries or entrapment for both land and marine wildlife.
Why do tourists visit the Galapagos Islands?
Many visitors to the Galapagos Islands are attracted to the archipelago by its unique wildlife and stunning landscapes. Giant tortoises, iguanas and Galapagos penguins are very popular species to spot and the wealth of birdlife also make the Islands a hotspot for ornithologists.
What is the theory of where the first ancestor finch came from?
Funk and Burns suggested the successful colonization of the Galapagos Islands was a result of two traits. First, the finches’ ancestors were more likely to wander than other species and consequently encountered islands more often. Second, these ancestors had a large amount of genetic variation in bill size and shape.