Flora
While there are similarities to the plants on mainland South America, the remote location of the Galapagos and their unique ecosystems has caused the plants to morph and evolve, some hardly resembling their relatives. The amazing wildlife present on these islands is there thanks to the diverse plant life on the islands.
With over 560 native species, the Galapagos has over 180 endemic species, found nowhere else on the planet. The islands have their own species of pepper, tomato, guava, cotton and passion flower. The scalesia, or 'daisy tree' is a unique species placed in its own endemic genera. These trees have evolved as Darwin's finches did, distinct from island to island. Some of them include Darwiniothamnus, lecocaprus and macraea, and each has adapted to best fit their environment.
Due to their restricted location, many of these rare species are considered endangered, however their 'pioneer' nature makes them hardy and durable. In fact, some have successfully made it across the ocean and established a home in harsh and foreign lands. They have managed to survive despite a lack of bugs and other creatures to help them pollinate. This results in an intriguing relationship between the plants and available animals, not seen in many other ecosystems. The Opuntia or prckly pear cactus has spread to other islands thanks to its consumption by iguanas and giant tortoises.
Flora on the islands exists only in certain zones. From mangrove swamps to arid lowlands, the Galapagos ecosystems are diverse and unique. To better understand the zones, they are described in more detail below.
Life Zones
The flora and fauna have adapted to the four different zones found on the various islands: littoral, dry, transition, and humid. Plants that thrive in a certain zone are followed by the animals that consume them, adding to the often visibly dramatic differences. When possible, species, especially birds, will migrate from zone to zone in search of the ideal conditions.
Litoral Zone
This includes the coastline of the Islands, from the beaches to the mangroves and salty lagoons. Mangroves are the main plant for these areas but bushes and grasses accustomed to salty water also appear where there is less water. Four mangrove varieties thrive in this area; Rhizzophra mangle (red), Laguncularia racemosa (white), Avicenia germinans (black) and Conocarpus erects (button mangrove). A number of the smaller islands lie completely within this zone.
Dry Zone
This is the most commonly found zone on the islands. Within this zone are two subzones: lower scrub zone and upper woodland zone. It is a middle elevation zone but creeps higher at the north end of the larger islands where it is sheltered from too much rain. Plants present in this zone include the prickly pear cactus, giant candelabra cactus and other pioneer plants able to survive the harsh volcanic setting.
Transition Zone
With more rainfall and higher elevation, the plant life becomes more dense and frequent. Species from the Dry zone and Humid zone can be found here. It consists mostly of an assortment of small bushes and trees such as the endemic Guayabillo, carrying small fruit and white flowers. The endemic Galapagos tomato is also found in this zone.
Humid Zone
This zone is also often split into subzones due to variation in rain, elevation and soil: Scalesia forest, miconia scrub, and pampa zone (with fern and sedges). As the name implies, it is the most humid of zones, frequently shrouded in mist the flora is dominated by ferns, mosses and orchids.
Santa Cruz, Isabela and five of the other tallest islands are home to all four zones.
Fauna
There are a variety of endemic and native species founding the Galapagos Islands. The most famous is the Galapagos tortoise. Eleven subspecies have evolved on the different islands and sadly all of them are endangered as a result of hunters and invasive species.
Iguanas amble about the islands in an array of colors including the land iguana and the less colorful, but equally impressive, marine iguana, as well as a combination of the two. Recognized as a bird sanctuary, these islands host 57 species, while half are migrant species, the rest are endemic to the islands.
The infamous Darwin finches have evolved into 13 species to survive in their respective environments on each island. The Galapagos penguin, lava gull, Galapagos flightless cormorant, dark-rumped petrel, Galapagos dove, lava heron and Galapagos martin are a few of the many endemic species living on these islands.
Marine life of the Galapagos is also incredibly vibrant. Sharks, fur seals, sea lions, starfish, dolphins, marine iguanas and whales make their home safety of the Galapagos Marine Reserve. Visitors include the green and hawkbill turtles. Scurrying along the shoreline are brightly colored Sally-Lightfoot Crabs and other small sea creatures.
Galapagos Birds and Animals
As these islands began surfacing, migratory birds from Colombia, Peru and Ecuador took advantage of this new rest stop. With time, more birds discovered this prosperous haven. Over 700,000 birds continue to visit the islands and 19 species reside year round. Of these, 50% are endemic and 25% can only be found on these islands such as the Galapagos penguin, lava gull, flightless cormorant, swallow-tailed gull and waved albatross.
Roughly 1/3 of the planet's population of blue-footed boobies live in the Galapagos along with the largest number of masked boobies and biggest community of red-footed boobies.
Some species have remained the same over time, but many have adapted and evolved to continue life in the Galapagos, resulting in subspecies such as the short-eared owl and vermillion flycatcher. Others evolved into completely new species such as the Galapagos hawk and Galapagos dove. The finches and mockingbirds show the most remarkable evolutionary development, creating a number of sub-species adapted to each island's habitat.
The reptilian life is vibrant on the islands, with few predators. The Galapagos tortoise is the most well-known, but there are also the very unique marine iguana, sea turtles and lava lizards. With 27 species on the islands, many resemble their ancestors on the main land and 17 are endemic.
Galapagos Marine Life
Amidst the four currents, the Galapagos archipelago hosts a variety of marine creatures. Whether they prefer warmer waters or cooler, the locations has every option. There are over 2,900 marine species and more than 18% are found only beside these islands. Sharks, penguins, whales, sea lions, sea turtles, fur seals and over 300 types of fish mill about below the surface. 25% of the fish are endemic. Coral reefs are scarce, but these creatures find refuge among the cracks and creases of the impressive lava formations.
The cracks provide housing for small fish and invertebrates. Larger creatures rarely stray from the lava as this is where they hunt for their meal, feasting on sponges, goronians, anemones, shrimp, starfish and conches.
Sea Turtles
Living mostly below the ocean surface, Pacific green sea turtles can weigh up to 180 kg (400lbs) and their shells can reach one meter (3ft) in length. The Galapagos provide a safe breeding zone for these impressive creatures and are frequently seen by the island of Santiago at Caleta Tortuga Negra. The females will exit the water just long enough to lay and burying their eggs in the sand before returning to the ocean. The vulnerability of the eggs and baby turtles on their journey to the sea has caused them to become endangered. Rats and pigs will dig up the eggs to eat and birds such as the hawk and frigate bird snatch up the youngsters as they struggle to find their way across the open beach to the only slightly safer sea. Here, they are hunted by sharks and large fish.
Whales and Dolphins
As do the birds, large mammals rest in the safety of the archipelago during their migration. Blue, Sei, finback, short-finned pilot, Bryde's, sperm, minke, orca, and humpback whales can be seen near the islands. Bottle nose dolphins are often spotted playing in the waves around boats and diving deep to mingle with their friends the white-bellied dolphins whose pods can include over 100 individuals.
Viewing Marine Life
Whether you choose to dive or snorkel, you will experience a wide variety of these species in your underwater excursion. Sea lions playfully join in tug-o-war and other games at Academy Bay and elsewhere. Bright fish, hammerhead sharks, manta and eagle rays, whale sharks and Galapagos sharks swim among sea turtles and diving iguanas. Devil's Crown, a volcano that has not yet surfaced, gives one the impression of swimming in a tropical aquarium. You will not exit these waters disappointed.
