The Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands
Brandy Nicole Welch
SCI 230
Instructor Amy Hurst
July 25, 2009
‘Hence, both in space and time, we seem to be brought somewhat near to that great fact – that mystery of mysteries – the first appearance of new beings on this earth’ was the description Charles Darwin gave when describing his experience on the Galapagos Islands during his five year expedition on board the Beagle. (Levy, 2007) Many may ask ‘what are the Galapagos Islands, and why are so many trying to save them?’ The Galapagos Islands are also called the Islas Incantadas. They are located about 600 miles west of Ecuador and are straddling the equator. The Galapagos has a total land area of 7,882 square kilometers which consist of 13 major islands, six small islands and many islets and rocks. Each of the islands included in the archipelago are of volcanic origin. Two of the islands, Fernandina and Isabela, are still both sites of frequent eruptive activity. (Finch, n.d.) Although Charles Darwin was not the founder of the Galapagos Islands, he is considered “the most celebrated visitor to Galapagos”. He arrived on board the HMS Beagle in 1835 on his way home after charting the coasts of South America from the Rio Plata round to Chiloe in Southern Chile. It was on the Galapagos that Darwin stumbled upon many diverse life forms. (Finch, n.d.) The beauty and uniqueness Charles Darwin recognized on the Galapagos Islands are in danger of extinction by human interaction. More than 100,000 people travel to the Galapagos a year to tour the multiple sites on the islands. The introductions of both domestic and non-domestic animals to the islands threaten the native creatures. In an effort to preserve the creatures and plant life on the islands there are multiple conservation programs currently in place to minimize the effects of human interaction on the Galapagos. (Finch, n.d.) There are multiple diversities of life forms found on the Galapagos Islands. The finches are
Brandy Nicole Welch
SCI 230
Instructor Amy Hurst
July 25, 2009
‘Hence, both in space and time, we seem to be brought somewhat near to that great fact – that mystery of mysteries – the first appearance of new beings on this earth’ was the description Charles Darwin gave when describing his experience on the Galapagos Islands during his five year expedition on board the Beagle. (Levy, 2007) Many may ask ‘what are the Galapagos Islands, and why are so many trying to save them?’ The Galapagos Islands are also called the Islas Incantadas. They are located about 600 miles west of Ecuador and are straddling the equator. The Galapagos has a total land area of 7,882 square kilometers which consist of 13 major islands, six small islands and many islets and rocks. Each of the islands included in the archipelago are of volcanic origin. Two of the islands, Fernandina and Isabela, are still both sites of frequent eruptive activity. (Finch, n.d.) Although Charles Darwin was not the founder of the Galapagos Islands, he is considered “the most celebrated visitor to Galapagos”. He arrived on board the HMS Beagle in 1835 on his way home after charting the coasts of South America from the Rio Plata round to Chiloe in Southern Chile. It was on the Galapagos that Darwin stumbled upon many diverse life forms. (Finch, n.d.) The beauty and uniqueness Charles Darwin recognized on the Galapagos Islands are in danger of extinction by human interaction. More than 100,000 people travel to the Galapagos a year to tour the multiple sites on the islands. The introductions of both domestic and non-domestic animals to the islands threaten the native creatures. In an effort to preserve the creatures and plant life on the islands there are multiple conservation programs currently in place to minimize the effects of human interaction on the Galapagos. (Finch, n.d.) There are multiple diversities of life forms found on the Galapagos Islands. The finches are
Cited: Anthro.palomar.edu. (2009). Early Theories of Evolution: Darwin and Natural Selection. Retrieved June 30, 2009, from http://anthro.palomar.edu/evolve/evolve_2.htm Finch, R. and Finch J. (n.d.). Origin of the Galapagos Islands: A Photo Essay. Retrieved July 11, 2009, from http://www.rutahsa.com/gal-orig.html#beginning Galapagos Conservancy. (2008). About Galapagos. Retrieved July 10, 2009, from http://www.galapagos.org/2008/index.php?id=81 Galapagos Conservation Trust. (2008). Charles Darwin. Retrieved July 10, 2009, from http://www.gct.org/darwin.html Galapagos Conservation Trust. (2008). Galapagos Flora. Retrieved July 10, 2009, from http://www.gct.org/flora.html Levy, S. (2007, June/July). The Continuing Saga of the Galapagos Finches. National Wildlife, 45(4). Retrieved July 10, 2009, from http://www.nwf.org/nationalwildlife/article.cfm?issueID=115&articleID=1472