The Galapagos Islands and Marine Reserve contain a unique combination of land and oceanic ecosystems, with many distinct habitats and communities to be found in each. The Galapagos are situated at the point where major ocean currents meet, and the islands straddle the junctions between several shifting tectonic plates. These circumstances combine to make an area that truly is like no other place on earth.
Galapagos is one of the best-conserved tropical oceanic archipelagos in the world. Species that have adapted successfully to a barren and inhospitable landscape often occupy a unique niche in that ecosystem, and have little competition for food, water and space. The introduction of a new species into such simple ecosystems can have rapid and far-reaching effects.
The fact that such a tiny surface area of land and its surrounding sea as the Galapagos archipelago should contain a bewildering variety of climatic and oceanographic extremes and such unique plants, animals and ecosystems, as well as being in a nearly unaltered state over much of its area, gives the islands the same magic appeal as Antarctica, yet the land area of Galapagos is infinitesimally small by comparison. Galapagos is a very small but very valuable jewel in the biodiversity crown. Biodiversity Conservation and Human Population impacts in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. MacFarland, C. and M. Cifuentes. 1996. Case Study: Galapagos, Ecuador. Pages 135-188 In: Dompka, V. ed. Human Population, Biodiversity and Protected Areas: Science and Policy Issues. Report of a Workshop April 20-21, 1995, Washington, D.C. American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Washington, D.C.
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The Galapagos Islands are situated on the equator and about 1000 km off the Pacific coast of Ecuador. Galapagos is comprised of 14 major islands, more than 120 smaller islets and rocks, and the surrounding ocean. The total land mass is almost 8,000 sq. km and the Galapagos Marine Reserve surrounding the archipelago is 138,000 sq. km. The present islands are all younger than 4 million years and were formed separately from other land masses as a result of volcanic eruptions.
Humans — both residents and tourists — have become part of the Galapagos ecosystem, as have many species of plant and animal that have been introduced by humans to the islands. One of the challenges CDF faces, as do all those involved in protecting and conserving Galapagos, is how best to integrate the needs of the human population whilst limiting our impact on this unique part of the world. Environmental, economic and social sustainability cannot be separated.