UNESCO Research Outline

UNESCO Research Outline : Galapagos Animal and Marine Life

Abstract

I .Introduction

II .The life forms found in the Galapagos Islands

A .The Galapagos finch is distinguished for the special structure of its beaks , which have greatly adapted to the local flora and fauna throughout evolution

B .Galapagos tortoises are actually the creatures in honor of which the archipelago was named

C .Marine iguanas : unique species of iguana who have accustomed to the twofold life in water and on the land

D .Whales and dolphins , the cleverest and most peaceful

mammals with plankton diet

E .The endemic fish : from huge cartilage species to the tiny bony individuals

F . Plant forms , vital for the nutrition of herbivores

III . Ecological relations between the species

A .The ecological niches of Galapagos finch and tortoise : adjustments and relationships

B . Food chain among fish : both predators and small species have their biological role and are important to one another

C .The largest and the most defenseless : whales and dolphins , among whose roles is clearing the ocean bottom

IV .The threatening human intrusions and the related plans

A .The value of dolphin and whale fat and meat : the extermination of the large mammals and the subsequent pollution of the ocean

B .The effects of tourism growth : overfishing for fun and the discovery of tortoise 's unique properties

C .Immigration and the growing poaching , water contamination and the disappearance of rare plants

V .Protective measures and efforts undertaken recently

A .IUCN and UNESCO regulations and control over fishing , hunt and infrastructure expansion : purposes , steps and the results obtained

B .GCT and its campaigns for the conservation of underwater diversity : in spite of their physical properties , sharks and other ocean predators are particularly vulnerable

C .Leveraging the human factor : public relations , education of global population about the critical value of ecological neutrality in human-nature interactions

VI .Individual strategies of the area preservation

Financial donations , gifts and contributions through membership

Individual discipline in saving the vanishing species : abstinence from smoking , using synthetic products and luxuries of rare leather

Discussing the problem with the surroundings and providing a positive behavioral model

Conclusions

Reference list

Galapagos Islands added to the World Heritage Danger List June 2007 retrieve September 2 , 2008 from

http /iucn .org /what /ecosystems /islands /index .cfm ?uNewsID 86

Galapagos Conservation Trust (2008 ) Marine life of Galapagos Retrieve September 2 , 2008 from

http /www .gct .org /marinefact .html

Harpp , K Otto , R (2005 ) Hot s : Galapagos Animal and Marine Life retrieve September 2 , 2008 from

http /www .divediscover .whoi .edu /hots /galwild .html PAGE

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