Evolution In The Galapagos
The video called “evolution in the Galapagos” took a look inside a few of the islands of the Galapagos and analyzed the factors that are present that show examples of evolution and biodiversity as well as the factors on the different islands that influence the examples of evolution and biodiversity. The first species that was examined within the video was the mocking jays, there was a clip that was showing a disagreement and assertment of dominance over territorial boundaries from one group of mocking jays to the other. The jays would flick their wings and tail and chirp at each other. It was an interesting display and was even more interesting that it was explained because if I was the average person looking at the birds partaking in these kinds of action I would not think anything of it. The video goes on to explain how the mocking jays are spread throughout the islands however there are some islands that have different variations of mocking jays that have adapted to the environment in which they live. In total throughout the island there are 4 different species of the mocking jay. The species differ in terms of color of their feathers and size of their beak. Another interesting clip in the video was when the researcher from Wake Forest “hypnotized” one of the mocking jays in his hand to the point where he could release grip and the bird laid still on its back, then when he snapped the bird awoke and flew away.
The video then starts to go more in-depth about the theory of evolution and how species go through variation from island to island. The Galapagos Island are one of the highest biodiversity area in the world, and the conditions are optimal to support that biodiversity year round. Charles Darwin discovered the Galapagos while on a voyage on his ship HMS Beagle. Darwin was fascinated by the islands and subsequently spend years studying it in order to prove some of the world’s biggest mysteries. When examining the environment of the Galapagos Darwin was most interested in what he called “aboriginal creations” which were what we know today as endemic species, or species that are specific to a certain area. Darwin also linked the idea of aboriginal creations to the observation that within these aboriginal creations there are variations within each creation throughout the islands. Darwin’s finches a classic example of how living things can adapt to their environment. Each island provides different vegetation so the finches evolve in response to what source of energy is available
I found the way that scientist catch birds to observe them very interesting as they set up nets and call for them and makes them unknowingly fly into the net. While to some it may be unsettling it is nessicary in order to make observations that can have a substantial impact on our overall knowledge and understanding of the world around us.
Another topic that was brought up in the video was Daphne Major and how researchers loved this island as you can observe evolution in action over a relatively short period of time. Daphne major is a small island made up of volcanic rock with low scrubby vegetation. Many scientist also know this island as the laboratory of evolution, this is because there are not many components that effect the evolution and rate of evolution so it easier to see and document major changes. The studies over the years have found that, when small seeds are plentiful normally in rainy years the next generation will also have a small beak, however when there are an abundance of large seeds or in dry years the next generation has beaks that are larger. Each generation of finches have a range of beak sizes, some a little smaller and some a little larger than the average. When the rain is abundant and the smaller seeds are more prevalent the small beaked birds are more efficient eaters so they thrive and have more offspring that the larger birds. The next generation now has mostly small beaked birds so the beak average is less than the last generation which means the population has evolved. But then when a dry year happens and larger seed are more prevalent the same happens to the large beaked birds and the population evolves again. On Daphne Major Scientist have documented these shift from small to large and from large to small and the trends directly correlate with the theory of evolution.
All in all I really enjoyed this video and got a lot out of it.
The video then starts to go more in-depth about the theory of evolution and how species go through variation from island to island. The Galapagos Island are one of the highest biodiversity area in the world, and the conditions are optimal to support that biodiversity year round. Charles Darwin discovered the Galapagos while on a voyage on his ship HMS Beagle. Darwin was fascinated by the islands and subsequently spend years studying it in order to prove some of the world’s biggest mysteries. When examining the environment of the Galapagos Darwin was most interested in what he called “aboriginal creations” which were what we know today as endemic species, or species that are specific to a certain area. Darwin also linked the idea of aboriginal creations to the observation that within these aboriginal creations there are variations within each creation throughout the islands. Darwin’s finches a classic example of how living things can adapt to their environment. Each island provides different vegetation so the finches evolve in response to what source of energy is available
I found the way that scientist catch birds to observe them very interesting as they set up nets and call for them and makes them unknowingly fly into the net. While to some it may be unsettling it is nessicary in order to make observations that can have a substantial impact on our overall knowledge and understanding of the world around us.
Another topic that was brought up in the video was Daphne Major and how researchers loved this island as you can observe evolution in action over a relatively short period of time. Daphne major is a small island made up of volcanic rock with low scrubby vegetation. Many scientist also know this island as the laboratory of evolution, this is because there are not many components that effect the evolution and rate of evolution so it easier to see and document major changes. The studies over the years have found that, when small seeds are plentiful normally in rainy years the next generation will also have a small beak, however when there are an abundance of large seeds or in dry years the next generation has beaks that are larger. Each generation of finches have a range of beak sizes, some a little smaller and some a little larger than the average. When the rain is abundant and the smaller seeds are more prevalent the small beaked birds are more efficient eaters so they thrive and have more offspring that the larger birds. The next generation now has mostly small beaked birds so the beak average is less than the last generation which means the population has evolved. But then when a dry year happens and larger seed are more prevalent the same happens to the large beaked birds and the population evolves again. On Daphne Major Scientist have documented these shift from small to large and from large to small and the trends directly correlate with the theory of evolution.
All in all I really enjoyed this video and got a lot out of it.
Evolution of Darwin's Finches
In this video that discussed the finches of the Galapagos Daphne major was the main point of focus in terms of the area that was being analyzed by the video. A couple from Princeton University extensively studied Daphne island over the course to 30+ years and have documented the change in the species that have lived there and use these astonishing findings in order to prove various other theories.
13 species of finches, live in diverse habitats around the island in different groupings. Low islands typically made up of grasses cactus and shrubs while higher elevation islands have more trees present. With the variation in vegetation type from each island to the next food source are bound to differentiate. The finches in particular throughout the islands have evolved to match their environment in terms of their beak size to ensure maximum fitness based on the resources that are available, “Beaks are tools and you need the right tools for the right job”.
There have been two theories of how the finches got there, one being that all the different species came as they wanted at different times, however on the other hand some say that one variation of the species came and then through evolution and natural section the species derived many different species variations. Through examination it was found that all 13 species on the islands are more closely related to each other than the finch population on the mainland which leads people to believe that one species arrived and then diversified through the process of evolution.
The video documented the study that was being done by a couple from Princeton University. The couple were trying to keep track of every individual on the island and woke up at 5:30 each morning to get samples. They measured and documented size and shape of bird’s beak, as well as their weight, then they tag the finches. Over 4 years nothing really happened but then there was an 18 month drought in which changes in the amount and type of vegetation available was altered. Due to the drought the finches had to compete for limited resources, 80 percent of the population died during the drought, the birds with the larger beaks ultimately survived and reproduce at a higher rate. This then resulted in a shift in genetic makeup of the offspring of the bigger beaked birds, who will now inherit bigger beaks and will pass this trait on through generations. This will cause the population to shift relatively quickly as the smaller beaked birds are no longer be able to survive in an environment with no small seeds available for consumption.
The video examines how the finches chose mates and why the finches don’t mate with other species, one factor is through sound, finches of each species have their own unique sound, and finches of the same species will only communicate within their own species. Another factor is based on appearance. The researchers prove this by putting out stuffed finches to see if males would approach them. Finches of the same species and same general look only interacted with other finches that looked like them and ignored the different ones. Song and appearance both play a role in preventing different species from mating.
13 species of finches, live in diverse habitats around the island in different groupings. Low islands typically made up of grasses cactus and shrubs while higher elevation islands have more trees present. With the variation in vegetation type from each island to the next food source are bound to differentiate. The finches in particular throughout the islands have evolved to match their environment in terms of their beak size to ensure maximum fitness based on the resources that are available, “Beaks are tools and you need the right tools for the right job”.
There have been two theories of how the finches got there, one being that all the different species came as they wanted at different times, however on the other hand some say that one variation of the species came and then through evolution and natural section the species derived many different species variations. Through examination it was found that all 13 species on the islands are more closely related to each other than the finch population on the mainland which leads people to believe that one species arrived and then diversified through the process of evolution.
The video documented the study that was being done by a couple from Princeton University. The couple were trying to keep track of every individual on the island and woke up at 5:30 each morning to get samples. They measured and documented size and shape of bird’s beak, as well as their weight, then they tag the finches. Over 4 years nothing really happened but then there was an 18 month drought in which changes in the amount and type of vegetation available was altered. Due to the drought the finches had to compete for limited resources, 80 percent of the population died during the drought, the birds with the larger beaks ultimately survived and reproduce at a higher rate. This then resulted in a shift in genetic makeup of the offspring of the bigger beaked birds, who will now inherit bigger beaks and will pass this trait on through generations. This will cause the population to shift relatively quickly as the smaller beaked birds are no longer be able to survive in an environment with no small seeds available for consumption.
The video examines how the finches chose mates and why the finches don’t mate with other species, one factor is through sound, finches of each species have their own unique sound, and finches of the same species will only communicate within their own species. Another factor is based on appearance. The researchers prove this by putting out stuffed finches to see if males would approach them. Finches of the same species and same general look only interacted with other finches that looked like them and ignored the different ones. Song and appearance both play a role in preventing different species from mating.
Where Did Birds Come From?
The origin of birds has been a long-debated topic that had a very unsure answer. The world has more than 10,000 species of birds with wings and are one of the most magnificent and mysterious species living today in terms of their evolutionary paths. Scientists have extensively researched the fossil record and have found substantial information into understanding the origins of birds in which it may be linked to a very well-known group of reptiles, dinosaurs.
The Biological makeup of birds is very intriguing and like no other. Wings made of feathers that are stiff but flexible, and unlike any other animal flapping of the wings allows them to defy gravity. It was thought that animals with feathers have been made to fly.
The first signs of evidence that may have proved this theory was the discovery of a Archaeopteryx. The Archaeopteryx was found in limestone in Germany, it preserves in fine detail feathers along its wings and tail, however the bone structure and bodily structure are different from regular bird. The structure resembled characteristics of reptiles and represented a close link between the two. It has been concluded that archaeopteryx evolved the ability to fly independently and started as a reptile.
While researchers questioned the relationship between the present-day bird and archaeopteryx some scientists used that relationship to analyze the origin of the species and were lead to believe that birds derived from the reptile group of dinosaurs. As you can imagine, this was also a highly questionable topic. Dinosaurs were massive, slow moving, cold blood organisms and some argued that there are no correlations to those characteristics to birds.
However not all dinosaurs possessed these characteristics, there was a group of dinosaurs called “Theropods” that were fast moving and smaller individuals, which lead scientist to further investigate these relationships. Through investigation scientists found relationships between the theropod Deinoychus which was a smaller agile dinosaur that had talon like digits used for slashing and hunting prey. This now leads scientists to believe birds started as Theropods (trex dinosaurs that have two legs and can move quickly to hunt prey), to the archaeopteryx, to present day birds. Scientist did not accept this at first, then it was found that threopods have a wish bone, a bone that not many other organisms have and show a strong link to present day birds. Other similarities were seen in the sense that all dinosaurs have an s shape neck as do present day birds, as well as the fact that dinosaurs nested in colonies and cared for their young by feeding and protecting them and returned to the same spot every time
More supporting evidence unveiled in 1996 based on a fossil of Sinosauroptryx, a therapod, found in china showed that this therapod was small and did not have scales rather it had feathers. These feathered dinosaurs answered one question but posed another, why were they feathered if they could not fly. It was long assumed that feathers were made for flying.
However, feathers provide insulation to the organism and are also used in communication. Scientists believe that feathers were used for basic uses at first such as insulation and communication then cooption happened and the method of use then changed into flying.
All in all, this video takes an extensive look at how present-day birds can be traced back to their origins of being land roaming, two legged dinosaurs. Prior to watching this video, I did not know much on where bird originated from. Based on the information provided I can strongly agree with their findings as they make sense and provide a logical explanation for how present-day birds originated. Birds truly are magnificent creatures and it really does amaze me that they are a living example of extensive evolution from a land roaming predator to an organism that has the ability to defy gravity and are one of the closest present-day relatives to dinosaurs. It makes you think what kind of animals will exist in another couple thousand years down the road.
The Biological makeup of birds is very intriguing and like no other. Wings made of feathers that are stiff but flexible, and unlike any other animal flapping of the wings allows them to defy gravity. It was thought that animals with feathers have been made to fly.
The first signs of evidence that may have proved this theory was the discovery of a Archaeopteryx. The Archaeopteryx was found in limestone in Germany, it preserves in fine detail feathers along its wings and tail, however the bone structure and bodily structure are different from regular bird. The structure resembled characteristics of reptiles and represented a close link between the two. It has been concluded that archaeopteryx evolved the ability to fly independently and started as a reptile.
While researchers questioned the relationship between the present-day bird and archaeopteryx some scientists used that relationship to analyze the origin of the species and were lead to believe that birds derived from the reptile group of dinosaurs. As you can imagine, this was also a highly questionable topic. Dinosaurs were massive, slow moving, cold blood organisms and some argued that there are no correlations to those characteristics to birds.
However not all dinosaurs possessed these characteristics, there was a group of dinosaurs called “Theropods” that were fast moving and smaller individuals, which lead scientist to further investigate these relationships. Through investigation scientists found relationships between the theropod Deinoychus which was a smaller agile dinosaur that had talon like digits used for slashing and hunting prey. This now leads scientists to believe birds started as Theropods (trex dinosaurs that have two legs and can move quickly to hunt prey), to the archaeopteryx, to present day birds. Scientist did not accept this at first, then it was found that threopods have a wish bone, a bone that not many other organisms have and show a strong link to present day birds. Other similarities were seen in the sense that all dinosaurs have an s shape neck as do present day birds, as well as the fact that dinosaurs nested in colonies and cared for their young by feeding and protecting them and returned to the same spot every time
More supporting evidence unveiled in 1996 based on a fossil of Sinosauroptryx, a therapod, found in china showed that this therapod was small and did not have scales rather it had feathers. These feathered dinosaurs answered one question but posed another, why were they feathered if they could not fly. It was long assumed that feathers were made for flying.
However, feathers provide insulation to the organism and are also used in communication. Scientists believe that feathers were used for basic uses at first such as insulation and communication then cooption happened and the method of use then changed into flying.
All in all, this video takes an extensive look at how present-day birds can be traced back to their origins of being land roaming, two legged dinosaurs. Prior to watching this video, I did not know much on where bird originated from. Based on the information provided I can strongly agree with their findings as they make sense and provide a logical explanation for how present-day birds originated. Birds truly are magnificent creatures and it really does amaze me that they are a living example of extensive evolution from a land roaming predator to an organism that has the ability to defy gravity and are one of the closest present-day relatives to dinosaurs. It makes you think what kind of animals will exist in another couple thousand years down the road.
Feral Goat Eradication
Prior to being introduced to this topic through class I had no idea that feral goat eradication was a thing. But it is and the reasoning behind it makes sense but there is a lot that goes into the process. Goats have been domesticated for over 10,000 years now, they are primarily kept as a source of food and they do not rely on much to live. The first recorded goat introduction was in 1458, explorers typically would bring goats with them, again as a food source. Goats have a high reproduction rate causing populations to grow quickly. When at high densities the goats graze heavily and actually cause the extinction of some plant species which then effects the area’s ecosystem as well as its overall biodiversity. Eradication processes have been around for years as goats have been a pressing threat to biodiversity levels for a very long time now. The eradication methods have progressed over the years to meet the demands of efficiency and cost effectiveness. In the present day eradication methods include, Ariel hunting, Ground hunting using dogs, traps, from boat, fires, and occasionally poison is used. Whatever possible method to completely eradicate the goats is preferred. It has been documented there are about 120 efforts that were deemed successful since the beginning of the 1900s, 60% (72) were published, 14% (17) are in the grey literature, and 26% (31) remain unpublished. One of the successful eradication efforts happened in the Galapagos on Santiago Island. Over 66.000 goats were eradicated from the island in less than three years, efforts focused their methods on ground hunting, the use of hunting dogs, and mustering. Along with those methods scientist were aided with extensive planning and integration of GPS and GIS technology. This allowed for a efficient and cost effective process. On the other hand one of the failed attempts also occurred in the Galapagos, on Pinta Island, which is a much smaller island than Santiago, it took 30 years to remove 41,000 goats. This was a result of poor eradication methods and a lack of time spent on the objective.
Seeing the number of goats that are killed through these processes is pretty insane if you think about it, but it’s in the name of science right? That’s what you have to think to get passed the fact that we are murdering tens of thousands of animals. However it really is for the good, Biodiversity is a very important factor to preserve and keep alive and well in our world today, and if that means we have to mow down some goats then I guess I’m all for it.
Seeing the number of goats that are killed through these processes is pretty insane if you think about it, but it’s in the name of science right? That’s what you have to think to get passed the fact that we are murdering tens of thousands of animals. However it really is for the good, Biodiversity is a very important factor to preserve and keep alive and well in our world today, and if that means we have to mow down some goats then I guess I’m all for it.
Submarine Morphology
paper-submarinevolcanicmorphology2007.pdf | |
File Size: | 4774 kb |
File Type: |
The Galapagos Islands were formed through volcanic activity on the Nazca plate. The youngest islands are located on the western side of the archipelago. The Morphology and structure of these Island and the surrounding area around then are very important to study In order to gain a better understanding of how these island will grow and evolve moving forward. A study was done by a group of professors from the University of Washington in which they took EM300 bathymetry and MR1 sidescan sonar data and used the data to further analyze the seafloor make up in the surrounding area of the islands to draw further conclusions. The data was taken on the shallow to deep submarine flanks of Fernandina, Isabela, and Santiago Islands, including rift zones and groups of cones that are considered to be the primary elements in constructing the archipelagic apron.
Through data analysis it was determined that the key volcanic geomorphologic constructs in the Western part of the Galapagos are rift zones, volcanic cones, and deep water lava flows. This was determined through the ability of the advanced technology used within the study to depict small-scale features on the seafloor. Through the study It was determined that volcanism happens along active rift zones and on volcanic flanks that are not associated with the rift zones. The NW Fernandina rift zone was shown to have the most recent volcanic activity which was determined by higher calculated magnetization values as well as other small features in the seafloor such as deep craters in the volcanic cones. Deep lava flows have been determined to be resulting from the vents that are located at the tip of the rift.
I found this article very appealing as I have a background understanding of side scan sonar as well as multibeam bathymetry. Being able to apply my prior knowledge to further my current ability to learn and gain new understandings was a cool feeling. Interpretation of the figures included within the article was accomplished relatively easily and I found the figures to be very informative and supportive of the information that was being presented. I find it interesting that lava flows still happen underwater and that these islands are the result of a large amount of volcanic activity. It makes you wonder that since the world is ever-changing and it has been documented that volcanic activity is still present, will the structure and overall makeup of the islands change again? Additionally does global climate change have an effect on these processes?
Through data analysis it was determined that the key volcanic geomorphologic constructs in the Western part of the Galapagos are rift zones, volcanic cones, and deep water lava flows. This was determined through the ability of the advanced technology used within the study to depict small-scale features on the seafloor. Through the study It was determined that volcanism happens along active rift zones and on volcanic flanks that are not associated with the rift zones. The NW Fernandina rift zone was shown to have the most recent volcanic activity which was determined by higher calculated magnetization values as well as other small features in the seafloor such as deep craters in the volcanic cones. Deep lava flows have been determined to be resulting from the vents that are located at the tip of the rift.
I found this article very appealing as I have a background understanding of side scan sonar as well as multibeam bathymetry. Being able to apply my prior knowledge to further my current ability to learn and gain new understandings was a cool feeling. Interpretation of the figures included within the article was accomplished relatively easily and I found the figures to be very informative and supportive of the information that was being presented. I find it interesting that lava flows still happen underwater and that these islands are the result of a large amount of volcanic activity. It makes you wonder that since the world is ever-changing and it has been documented that volcanic activity is still present, will the structure and overall makeup of the islands change again? Additionally does global climate change have an effect on these processes?
Galapagos Islands and Toruism
paper-galapagospopgrowthtourism07.pdf | |
File Size: | 941 kb |
File Type: |
paper-galapagossustainableecotourism.pdf | |
File Size: | 78 kb |
File Type: |
When it comes to tourism and the Galapagos it is like a double-edged sword. While tourism
creates potential risk for impacts made to the environment that are inflicted by human interaction that
can negatively affect the ecosystem, tourism is also a huge revenue provider and with the revenue that
is provided through tourism more large-scale conservation efforts can be made. In-fact many
conservation efforts are made in the name of tourism so that the public has access to these areas and
while they are within the areas they are able to learn and absorb from the landscape that is in front of
them. For example, a government may feel the need to conserve a dynamic and important ecosystem
for the sake of preserving that area of the environment against further development and while doing
that the government can charge entrance fees and can set up gift shops and educational programs,
summer camps, etc. The possibilities are endless and it all generates an income which then can be
reallocated back into other conservation efforts within the parks or it can be used towards other
resources. With this the more tourism and amenities and activities available for people to indulge in the
more money that is generated through revenue, however the more people visiting the are the higher
risk for negative impacts on the surrounding ecosystem even though the overall goal is conservation.
The best kind of conservation is by protecting an area and then not touching it at all, but what’s the
good in that if you can learn from that area of land. For example, if the Galapagos were identified as a
crucial biodiversity hotspot in the world and it was decided that conservation of the area was crucial in
ensuring the longevity of the pristine ecosystem and it was established that no humans were allowed
near the islands or on the islands we would not know half the things we do about ecology and evolution
as we do today. Tourism in areas like this are such a difficult topic to decide what is the best approach to
take regarding it.
The Galapagos is in fact a protected area however over the years tourism has dramatically
increased. In the 1960s there were about 2,000 tourists per year that visited the area, however by 2006
there were about 65 hotels that had possessed the capability to hold about 3,500 guests per night! Since
1991 the amount of tourist visiting the area increased by 9 percent per year and revenues increased 14
percent per year. While looking at the second value it is hard to cut back the first value because an
increase in revenues by 14 percent each year is a pretty substantial number. Many of the people visiting
the islands are Category 1 Foreigners, these individuals tend to be wealthy and on average spend the
most amount of time in ten areas behind only foreigner category 3 which are typically backpackers and
students. With an abundance of more wealthy individuals visiting the area it increases the opportunity
for large donations to the area. However, while there is an increase in the amount of tourist and the
frequency of tourist through the years not as much of this money is going directly to the island as shown
in data in from June 2005 to May 2006 which illustrates that out of the 143.3 million dollars made
available through tourism to the area 84 percent was made through privately owned tour vessels and
only 9% was made through on island expenses.
Through the tour vessels park entrances and other fees that go to the park apply so there is a
portion of the vessel money that does go directly to the park. Through various resources including funds
made available through tourism the Charles Darwin Foundation as well as the Republic of Ecuador
established a research station that provides educational and research opportunities made for the public
as well as science professionals.
Every vessel and area on the islands within the park there are guides available for assistance. It
is one of the main goals and priorities of the park for tourist to get a large portion of education while
they are on the trip. The guides that are on the vessel plan all the activities of the day, give briefings on
important information to be known to get the most out of a possible experience and so on. While yes
tourism to the area creates widespread revenues, there is an approach that is taken to it that through
the tourism something is gained from it and that something can be invested back into the park or the
environment to one day further better not only the ecosystem of the Galapagos but as well as the
ecosystem that we live in.
creates potential risk for impacts made to the environment that are inflicted by human interaction that
can negatively affect the ecosystem, tourism is also a huge revenue provider and with the revenue that
is provided through tourism more large-scale conservation efforts can be made. In-fact many
conservation efforts are made in the name of tourism so that the public has access to these areas and
while they are within the areas they are able to learn and absorb from the landscape that is in front of
them. For example, a government may feel the need to conserve a dynamic and important ecosystem
for the sake of preserving that area of the environment against further development and while doing
that the government can charge entrance fees and can set up gift shops and educational programs,
summer camps, etc. The possibilities are endless and it all generates an income which then can be
reallocated back into other conservation efforts within the parks or it can be used towards other
resources. With this the more tourism and amenities and activities available for people to indulge in the
more money that is generated through revenue, however the more people visiting the are the higher
risk for negative impacts on the surrounding ecosystem even though the overall goal is conservation.
The best kind of conservation is by protecting an area and then not touching it at all, but what’s the
good in that if you can learn from that area of land. For example, if the Galapagos were identified as a
crucial biodiversity hotspot in the world and it was decided that conservation of the area was crucial in
ensuring the longevity of the pristine ecosystem and it was established that no humans were allowed
near the islands or on the islands we would not know half the things we do about ecology and evolution
as we do today. Tourism in areas like this are such a difficult topic to decide what is the best approach to
take regarding it.
The Galapagos is in fact a protected area however over the years tourism has dramatically
increased. In the 1960s there were about 2,000 tourists per year that visited the area, however by 2006
there were about 65 hotels that had possessed the capability to hold about 3,500 guests per night! Since
1991 the amount of tourist visiting the area increased by 9 percent per year and revenues increased 14
percent per year. While looking at the second value it is hard to cut back the first value because an
increase in revenues by 14 percent each year is a pretty substantial number. Many of the people visiting
the islands are Category 1 Foreigners, these individuals tend to be wealthy and on average spend the
most amount of time in ten areas behind only foreigner category 3 which are typically backpackers and
students. With an abundance of more wealthy individuals visiting the area it increases the opportunity
for large donations to the area. However, while there is an increase in the amount of tourist and the
frequency of tourist through the years not as much of this money is going directly to the island as shown
in data in from June 2005 to May 2006 which illustrates that out of the 143.3 million dollars made
available through tourism to the area 84 percent was made through privately owned tour vessels and
only 9% was made through on island expenses.
Through the tour vessels park entrances and other fees that go to the park apply so there is a
portion of the vessel money that does go directly to the park. Through various resources including funds
made available through tourism the Charles Darwin Foundation as well as the Republic of Ecuador
established a research station that provides educational and research opportunities made for the public
as well as science professionals.
Every vessel and area on the islands within the park there are guides available for assistance. It
is one of the main goals and priorities of the park for tourist to get a large portion of education while
they are on the trip. The guides that are on the vessel plan all the activities of the day, give briefings on
important information to be known to get the most out of a possible experience and so on. While yes
tourism to the area creates widespread revenues, there is an approach that is taken to it that through
the tourism something is gained from it and that something can be invested back into the park or the
environment to one day further better not only the ecosystem of the Galapagos but as well as the
ecosystem that we live in.