Journey to the Galapagos, a land of unique animals and plants

A trip to the Galapagos is like a trip to paradise. Animals living in the wild, nature in its pristine form, a stunning landscape – there’s a reason why the archipelago is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The place is magical, but human activity is destroying the natural ecosystem day after day. So a discussion has been undertaken on how to save the Galapagos from anthropogenic influences.

Why is the Galapagos archipelago so remarkable?

The Galapagos Archipelago is a group of 13 large islands, six smaller islands and more than 100 islets and rocks located in the Pacific Ocean, in the equatorial zone. Also known as the Turtle Islands, it provides a unique habitat for many endemic plant and animal species. The archipelago belongs to Ecuador, and its total area is approx. 60,000 km². Although typical hotel tourism has not developed there, human activity has still significantly deteriorated the ecosystem. What really delights in the Galapagos and how to protect what is most precious – the unique species of animals and plants?

Galapagos biodiversity – home to rare animal and plant species

The biggest distinguishing feature of the Galapagos is its fauna and flora. The islands are home to numerous endemics, or unique species that exist only in a particular place. The archipelago has one of the highest levels of endemism in the world! About 80 percent of land birds, 97 percent of land reptiles and mammals and 30 percent of plants are found nowhere else. As much as 20 percent of sea creatures are found only in the Galapagos. The best-known species are the giant Galapagos tortoise, the marine iguana, the flightless cormorant and the Galapagos penguin.

Flora of the Galapagos

The islands are located in the dry Pacific belt, so only the highlands receive enough rainfall for lush tropical plants to thrive. The rest of the Galapagos is desert in nature. The islands have distinguished more than 600 native plant species and about 825 introduced species (most of which were initiated by humans).

Galapagos Fauna

The main representative of the Galapagos fauna is the giant tortoise, which is currently found in only two places on the planet. In addition, the Galapagos is home to 7 different species of lava lizards, which can change color and throw back their tails when threatened. Land and marine iguanas found on the islands, as well as the only penguins in the Northern Hemisphere, are also a remarkable attraction. The Galapagos is also home to nearly 30 species of birds.

Threats to the ecosystem

The Galapagos ecosystem is influenced by the unique location of the archipelago. Here, four ocean currents meet, which, combined with the isolation of the islands, promotes the formation of diverse ecosystems and ideal living conditions for many animal and plant species. However, many of these creatures are unable to migrate, so changing climatic conditions are becoming a real threat to their survival.

Extreme weather events (e.g., El Niño involving the persistence of above-average high temperatures at the water’s surface) and climate change are having a significant impact on the biodiversity of the Galapagos. On the one hand, they pose a threat to marine species, but on the other hand, they have a positive impact on terrestrial species, as they increase rainfall and ensure the availability of food.

Galapagos and human presence

Human activity has had a major impact on the natural ecosystem of the Galapagos. Even single visits by pirates, sailors or whalers have left a significant mark on the islands. Visitors often took turtles with them, and pests that disrupted biodiversity were brought ashore from the decks. The attractiveness of the place meant that it began to attract tourists, but not only. In 1950, the Galapagos had a population of 1,346, and by 2020 the number exceeded 27,000!

There is increasing talk of the need to develop rules for the equivalent functioning of the various groups living in the archipelago. A sustainable society is supposed to be a guarantee of improving the standard of living of the inhabitants, and at the same time it is supposed to ensure the protection of nature.

Travel to the Galapagos – how does tourism affect the Galapagos ecosystem?

Tourism provides the Galapagos with large financial revenues. At the same time, it is a major cause of changes in the ecosystem and disruption of the archipelago’s biodiversity. The solution is supposed to be the introduction of responsible tourism rules that would reconcile the interests of man and nature. Only is this even possible?

Additional fees have been gradually introduced in the Galapagos for several years. In 2020, tourists were obliged to pay administrative costs of $100. Before the pandemic, an increase in entry fees was considered in order to preserve revenue for the islands’ budget while reducing tourist traffic. Unfortunately, the example of Machu Picchu in Peru showed that such a measure had no effect on the decrease in tourist numbers. Will it be different in the case of the Galapagos?

New travel rules for Galapagos

The presence of tourists means intensified use of transportation and water in hotels, it means more air pollution, production of garbage and overloading of local infrastructure. As a result, in 2024, the government’s Archipelago Special Protection Council passed an increase in the Galapagos Islands entry tax. As of August 25, it doubled the fee for foreigners to $200. Ecuadorians will pay $30 instead of the previous $6. This is the first such increase in 26 years. Galapagos National Park will receive 50 percent of the entry tax amount, which is projected to generate $40 million a year. However, the real benefits of the entry fee increase will only be seen in a few years.

MAIN PHOTO: Dustin Haney / Unsplash