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The remote Galápagos islands are

famous for their unusual wildlife
(Figure 5). In 1900, the Galápagos had
112 invasive species. By 2007, that
number had risen to 1321. Why do
you think island wildlife might be more
threatened by invasive species?

User KyleWpppd
by
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1 Answer

6 votes

Final answer:

Island wildlife, like that of the Galápagos, is highly susceptible to invasive species due to the isolated evolution and lack of natural defenses. Human activities have facilitated the introduction of invasive species, which threaten the unique and fragile ecosystems on the islands.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Galápagos islands are more threatened by invasive species compared to continental regions because of their unique and isolated ecosystems. Islands like the Galápagos have a high number of endemic species, which evolved separately from mainland species and often lack defensive adaptations against new predators and competitors introduced by humans. Examples include the predation of marine iguanas by dogs and cats, or the extinction of native bird species due to introduced rats and the brown tree snake. The ecosystem's isolation previously protected these species, but with increased human activity such as tourism and transportation, invasive species are easily introduced, and given the limited space and resources, they pose a significant threat to the native flora and fauna. The Galápagos National Park Service has implemented policies to preserve the biodiversity, but vigilance and conservation efforts remain crucial to protect these vulnerable ecosystems.

User Mike Drakoulelis
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