The Galápagos Islands - Adventure Guide to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands - page 387

themaway until the next worldwar. In 1941, Ecuador allowed theUS
military to use Baltra Island first as a Naval Base, to protect the Pan-
ama Canal, and, subsequently, as an airbase. By 1959, the Galápagos
were declared a national park, and their settlement and growth from
then on was fueled by tourism. Today, by some accounts, 65,000 tour-
ists visit each year, and over 15,000 permanent residents reside
there.

Flora & Fauna

T

here are several ecological life zones in theGalápagos.
The coastal and lowland areas offer little precipita-
tion and include sandy beaches, rocky shorelines, man-
groves, and salt-tolerant vegetation. Many seabirds, sea
lions, crabs, and iguanas call these areas home. The next zone inland
is the arid zone, with deciduous, drought-resistant vegetation. Cacti,
land iguanas, Darwin's finches, and tortoises reside here. Higher up
(650 to 2,000 feet), where there is more precipitation, is the scalesia
zone, where a family of trees by the same name can be found. Here, la
garua dampens the slopes of the higher mountains. This region is tre-
mendously fertile, and much of it has been converted to agricultural
and grazing land. Because of its isolation from the rest of the world,
much of the flora in the Galápagos is found nowhere else on the
planet. This is also true of the animals here.

In terms of wildlife, the Galápagos Islands are just as beautiful today
as theywere whenDarwin visitedmore than 150 years ago. And as he
pointed out so long ago, there are distinct variations among similar
species on different islands.

As you hike on the islands, it is imperative that
you stick to the trails. The creatures of the
Galápagos already face significant pressures
from eager and inconsiderate photographers
and other tourists. Respect nature's privacy.
You're certain to see plenty of wildlife without
ever venturing off the designated trails.