Ecology, demography and conservation in the Galapagos Islands flora

The Galápagos Islands, true oceanic islands rising from a shallow submarine platform, exhibit remarkable geological diversity with ages ranging from 4.5 million years to as young as 60,000 years before present (bp). The eastern islands, such as Española and Santa Cruz, are composed of older uplifted lava flows, while the western islands like Fernandina and Isabela are formed by younger shield volcanoes with frequent eruptions. These volcanic landscapes display a variety of features including craters, barren fields of lava or scoria, and vegetated areas. The study provides insights into the ecological and demographic patterns of the Galápagos flora, emphasizing the unique geological history that shapes its biodiversity.

Hamann, O. (2011). Ecology, demography and conservation in the Galapagos Islands flora. The Biology of Island Floras, 385–424. https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511844270.017