The Galápagos Islands

History of the Galapagos Islands chain of volcanic islands 16 major islands 6 smaller islands and a series of islets Located west of Ecuadorian coast First discovered in 1535 by the bishop of Panama, Tomás de Berlanga

Major Threats to the Galapagos Islands introduction of invasive species increased tourism demographic growth illegal fishing and governance issues

Mainland Migration Migration and tourism have drastically increased population Population increase of over 300% in a few decades 25,000 people currently inhabit the Galapagos

Introduced Plant Life Introduction of non-native plant Guava Avocado hill raspberry wild blackberry citrus oranges grapefruit lemon

Wild Dogs Prey on islands birds and small reptile life destroy bird and tortoise

Goats Feed on almost any plant Believed to be responsible for the local extinction of 4 – 5 local species of plants Compete for the same food sources as the Galapagos Tortoise Eradicated in 2006

Fire Ants Pose a problem for ground nesting birds and reptiles Destroy nests Prey on the young as they hatch

Rats Non-native rodents Black rats Norway rats house mice threaten the survival of over 5o species of birds, reptile life, and native plant life pose high risk of spreading disease and infection

Pigs Believed to have led to the disappearance of the land iguana responsible for both consuming and destroying many main sources of food Eradicated in 2002

Efforts to Control The Galapagos National Park The Charles Darwin Foundation Galapagos Conservatory Galapagos Inspection and Quarantine System (SICGAL)

Works Cited "Galápagos Islands." Wikipedia. 5 May May "Galapagos Conservatory." Galapagos Conservatory. 7 May "Galápagos Islands." United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.. "Endangered Species Search by Area Selection." Earth's Endangered Creatures.. "Galapagos Islands." Encyclopedia Britannica. 7 May "Environmental Issues of the Galapagos." galapagosislands.com. 7 May enviroment.html