Oceanic Islands

Question 1

Ecological Features

Answer 1

Isolated
Many niches - high proportion of endemic and EDGE species

Question 2

Importance

Answer 2

Home to endemic species
used for physiological research
influences biomimetics

Question 3

Threats

Answer 3

Invasive species
Deforestation: tourism, development
Sea level rise
Species exploitation

Question 4

Conservation

Answer 4

Designations
Removal of invasive species
CITES - ban trade of endemic species

Question 5

Galapagos Conservation Trust

Answer 5

restoring the island of Floreana - largely destroyed by endemic species

aim to document genetics of all biological life on the islands

Question 6

Endemic Species: Giant Tortoise

Answer 6

1/4 tonne
take energy from the Sun
originally 15 species

Question 7

Endemic Species: Blue-footed Booby

Answer 7

17 year life span
blue feet important in courtship
in decline due to capture of small fish

Question 8

Endemic Species: Hammerhead Shark

Answer 8

eat schooling fish
hunted for shark-fin soup
listed on appendix 2