How did the Galapagos Islands, a region that looks like an 'okay" area to inhabit, have so many unique ecological habitats?
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
The Galapagos is an eastern pacific archipelago globally recognized for being such an iconic biological hotspot. It is home to dozens, if not hundreds, of unique endemic species, making it one of UNESCO's (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) heavily protected heritage sites and marine biological reserves.
It is the area's affluent ecological state that inspired Charles Darwin to develop his theory of evolution. When the theorist was hitting a low in his life, his journey to the Galapagos sparked an ember in him to study the nature of life.
Researchers have known for quite some time that the regional biodiversity is nurtured by the upwelling of cool, nutrient-filled deep waters, which fuels the significantly sound phytoplankton reproduction in the area. The phenomenon helped the ecosystem thrive.
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Recent Studies
Despite the number of contemporary studies about how beneficial the thriving phytoplankton population in the area, many are still unknown regarding other aspects of the region's rich biodiversity.
Fortunately, a recent study from scientists and researchers from the various academic institutions (the University of Southampton, National Oceanography Centre, and Ecuador's the Universidad San Francisco de Quito) added detailed information that helps learn more about the region's richness.
The institution used a realistic high-resolution imaging computer model to study and simulate the ocean circulation in the region surrounding the Galapagos archipelago.
The model showed that the intense upwelling in the Galapagos area is caused by local northward winds. The wind current generates healthy turbulence at the upper fronts of the ocean, westward the islands.
The fronts are sharp lateral contrasts in ocean temperatures with similar characteristics to weather maps' atmospheric conditions, only smaller.
All the turbulence drives the upwelling of deep-seated ocean waters towards the surface, which provides the nutrients necessary to sustain the entire Galapagos ecosystem.
Alex Forryan, a scientist from the University of Southampton, the one who performed the research, said, "Our findings show that Galápagos upwelling is controlled by highly localized atmosphere-ocean interactions. There now needs to be a focus on these processes when monitoring how the islands' ecosystem is changing, and in mitigating the ecosystem's vulnerability to 21st -century climate change."
In addition, the project leader for the research's supplementary studies, University of Southampton professor Alberto Naveira Garbato said, "This new knowledge of where and how the injection of deep-ocean nutrients to the Galapagos ecosystem happens is informing ongoing plans to expand the Galápagos Marine Reserve, and improve its management against the mounting pressures of climate change and human exploitation."
Why is it important to study the Galapagos Islands?
As established above, the entire Galapagos regions are home to many unique wildlife species. Studying what makes the island so hospitable for these species can help preserve and preserve many species living in similar or harsher ecosystems.
At first glance, many would think that the island has low potential in sustaining life, but the truth is quite the opposite. These are conditions that might provide the needed extensive knowledge in conservation.
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