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Home to some of the most diverse and accessible wildlife on the planet, the archipelago of the Galapagos Islands is a bucket-list destination for many nature lovers. For anyone who’s headed for the Galapagos, holidays with an experienced tour guide will afford an even deeper appreciation of this destination by instilling a basic understanding of the unique history, ecology and geology of the area. From Darwin to Modern Times While it was not Darwin who discovered the islands (that was Tomas Berlanga, in 1535), it were his scientific studies (from 1835) and subsequent theories on the evolution of species that attracted the rest of the world's attention to this archipelago off the South American coast. Since the release of 'On the Origin of Species', in 1959, fascination with the islands has endured. The History When Darwin arrived on the H.M.S Beagle, in 1835, he could not have predicted his research into the unique plant and animal life of the archipelago would lead to the establishment of what ultimately has become the most important 'natural laboratory' on the planet. His studies lead to his Theory of Evolution of the species through natural selection: "the principle by which each slight variation of a trait, if useful, is preserved." The Geology of the Galapagos Situated on the Nazca tectonic plate, the islands were formed three to five million years ago as a result of volcanic activity occurring in a 'hot spot' of the Earth's crust where three tectonic plates converge. As eruptions occurred over and over again, the conical forms of volcanic earth were pushed through the seabed and up through the surface of the ocean to form the chain of islands. Because of this constant volcanic activity the islands were created at different times, with the western islands several million years younger than the eastern ones. Most of the islands are formed of a single volcano, except for Isabela (the largest), which is made up of six. The Ecosystem The islands are home to three distinct ecosystems: marine, coastal and terrestrial. Within the terrestrial ecosystem there are several zones, from the lowlands to the transition zone to the high-altitudes. Even within each of those there are also several distinct delineations between dry and moist conditions. While the islands' isolated geographical location and the complexity of its ecosystems provide a habitat for a diverse array of plant and animal species, it is, nonetheless, a fragile environment. The region comes under the protection of the Galapagos National Park Service, whose mission is "to advance and support the conservation of the unique biodiversity and ecosystems of Galapagos through directed research, conservation management, informed public policy, and building a sustainable society." The Unique Plant and Animal Life The diversity, resilience and beauty of the flora and fauna of the archipelago is astounding and it is among the world's most acclaimed wildlife-watching destinations. On land and in the surrounding oceans a vast array of species, many of them endemic, exists in splendid isolation from the rest of the world. For those who venture to the region on Galapagos holidays, the opportunity to observe and photograph these species in their natural habitat is a privilege not soon forgotten. From the world's only warm-weather penguins to sea lions, finches, sharks, a host of other aquatic and avian species, and, of course the islands' most iconic residents, the Giant Tortoises, Galapagos holidays provide the opportunity for a truly unique encounter with some of the world's most unique wildlife. Experience the Magic of Galapagos Holidays Today's guided Galapagos holidays have the capacity to introduce participants to the fascinating history, geology and plant and animal life of these islands in a way that Charles Darwin could only have dreamed. Marissa Ellis-Snow is a freelance nature writer with a special interest in the unique wildlife of the Galapagos Islands. Marissa chooses the expert-led Galapagos holidays organised by Naturetrek, which have brought her unforgettable sightings of a wide range of wildlife in one of the most spectacular regions on Earth.
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