Endemism in the Galapagos reaches unimaginable levels, especially when it comes to botany. During the colonisation of this unique archipelago, birds and ocean currents transported plant seeds to these volcanic soils, initiating an interconnected life cycle. Coastal mangroves created refuges for seabirds, while cacti such as giant candelabra and Opuntia became crucial for land iguanas, Darwin’s finches and giant tortoises. Hardy plants such as the Lava Cactus and Sesuvium have adapted their survival to the drought, adding vibrant touches to the land. In the highlands of the main islands, the vegetation changes, with transitional wetlands dominated by Miconia and Scalesia forests greening the landscape, where many flowering plants have also evolved, including some micro-endemic orchids. This diverse and changing plant mosaic is crucial to the Galapagos, weaving a unique story of adaptation and interconnection, providing an exceptional habitat for the rest of its equally extraordinary fauna.
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