Skip navigation
Go to home page > Our Work > Educational resources > Colonisation of the Galapagos Islands
Science Ecology and the environment

Colonisation of the Galapagos Islands

Flamingos in Floreana
© Henri Leduc

Introduction

Learning objectives

  • To understand and explain the term colonisation.
  • To explain how different species of Galapagos may have colonised the islands.
  • To appreciate the fact that the Galapagos Islands have been transformed from bare rock into a range of habitats, with rich wildlife, over millions of years.

Students’ outcomes

  • To give examples of different methods of colonisation.
  • To explain difficulties plants and animals may have encountered when arriving on a barren landscape.
  • To identify the relevant order in which organisms had to arrive on the islands in order to support one another.

Related articles

Galapagos giant tortoises on the southern flank of Alcedo volcano
14/06/2023
History of Galapagos

The history of the Galapagos giant tortoise

Take a trip back in time to discover the history of the most famous Galapagos species of all, the giant tortoise.
View post
09/03/2017
Invasive species

Invasive pigs in Galapagos

Humans have brought many alien species to the Galapagos Islands but, unlike rodents, insects and weeds, some of these have in fact been intentional introductions.
View post
08/04/2021
Climate Invasive species

Underwater invaders

By Jessica Howard. Galapagos is leading the charge in marine biosecurity, with one of the most stringent programmes in the world. But, with increasing challenges facing the endemic species of Galapago
View post

Get the latest news from Galapagos

Join our mailing list to receive our monthly email newsletter, bringing you the latest news on Galapagos and our work to protect the Islands.

This field is hidden when viewing the form