Galapagos Marine Ecosystems

The Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR) and its combination of cold and warm oceanic currents has at least three distinct biogeographic (referring to the geographical distribution of animals and plants) regions. This means that the GMR has characteristics similar to both the cold waters of the southern Pacific Ocean and the tropical reefs of Panama.

© CDF Currents affecting Galapagos

In addition to these current systems, there is also a wide range of marine landscapes that include “bajos” – underwater volcanoes that rise hundreds of meters, and nearly reach the surface of the ocean. Because of the extreme variation in temperature and underwater landforms, each of the GMR’s biogeographic regions has its own distinctive mix of species.

The GMR, which Ecuador created In March 1998, is one of the world’s largest protected areas. It measures 138,000 sq. km and has a highly unusual range of biological communities, with exceptional diversity.

Marine iguana feeding underwater

More than 2,900 marine species have been reported and over 18% of those live nowhere else on earth. Living here are some of the best known coastal animals of Galapagos, such as sea lions, fur seals, flightless cormorants, albatrosses, three species of booby, two frigatebird species, sea turtles, the marine iguana, and penguins.

Galapagos Penguins

Here penguins live on the equator too and just make it into the northern hemisphere — only in Galapagos. These waters are also renowned for their healthy populations of the largest marine animals such as sharks, whales and dolphins. Smaller marine species that are at the base of the food web for many of these larger animals include sponges, corals, anemones, gorgonians, shrimps, conches, and starfish.

This spectacular wildlife is just the most visible part of a complex and unique ecosystem. CDF believes there may be many more marine species, particularly in the deep waters surrounding the Galapagos archipelago, which when investigated will enable CDF staff to give the highest quality technical advice to decision-makers of the Galapagos Marine Reserve.