The Galapagos : A Natural History

Describes the history of the exotic islands made famous by Charles Darwin, long known to sailors and pirates as a home to fascinating wildlife and volcanic landscapes that has most recently become a hot-spot for ecotourism. 30,000 first printing. Charles Darwin called it'a little world within itself.'Sailors referred to it as'Las Encantadas'- the enchanted islands. Lying in the eastern Pacific Ocean, straddling the equator off the west coast of South America, the Galágos is the most pristine archipelago to be found anywhere in the tropics. It is so remote, so untouched, that the act of wading ashore can make you feel like you are the first to do so. Yet the Galágos is far more than a wild paradise on earth-it is one of the most important sites in the history of science. Home to over 4,000 species native to its shores, around 40 percent of them endemic, the islands have often been called a'laboratory of evolution.'The finches collected on the Galágos inspired Darwin's revolutionary theory of natural selection. In The Galágos, science writer Henry Nicholls offers a lively natural and human history of the archipelago, charting its course from deserted wilderness to biological testing ground and global ecotourism hot spot. Describing the island chain's fiery geological origins as well as our species'long history of interaction with the islands, he draws vivid portraits of the life forms found in the Galágos, capturing its awe-inspiring landscapes, understated flora, and stunning wildlife. Nicholls also reveals the immense challenges facing the islands, which must continually balance conservation and ever encroaching development. Beautifully weaving together natural history, evolutionary theory, and his own experience on the islands, Nicholls shows that the story of the Galágos is not merely an isolated concern, but reflects the future of our species'relationship with nature-and the fate of our planet. Charles Darwin called it "a little world within itself." Sailors referred to it as "Las Encantadas"- the enchanted islands. Lying in the eastern Pacific Ocean, straddling the equator off the west coast of South America, the Galgos is the most pristine archipelago to be found anywhere in the tropics. It is so remote, so untouched, that the act of wading ashore can make you feel like you are the first to do so. Yet the Galgos is far more than a wild paradise on earth-it is one of the most important sites in the history of science. Home to over 4,000 species native to its shores, around 40 percent of them endemic, the islands have often been called a "laboratory of evolution." The finches collected on the Galgos inspired Darwin's revolutionary theory of natural selection. In The Galgos , science writer Henry Nicholls offers a lively natural and human history of the archipelago, charting its course from deserted wilderness to biological testing ground and global ecotourism hot spot. Describing the island chain's fiery geological origins as well as our species' long history of interaction with the islands, he draws vivid portraits of the life forms found in the Galgos, capturing its awe-inspiring landscapes, understated flora, and stunning wildlife. Nicholls also reveals the immense challenges facing the islands, which must continually balance conservation and ever encroaching development. Beautifully weaving together natural history, evolutionary theory, and his own experience on the islands, Nicholls shows that the story of the Galgos is not merely an isolated concern, but reflects the future of our species' relationship with nature-and the fate of our planet. The Natural And Human History Of The Galapagos Islands-beloved Vacation Spot, Fiery Volcanic Chain, And One Of The Critical Sites In The History Of Science. The Galapagos Were Once Known To The Sailors And Pirates Who Encountered Them As Las Encantadas: The Enchanted Islands, Home To Exotic Creatures And Dramatic Volcanic Scenery. In The Galapagos, Science Writer Henry Nicholls Offers A Lively Natural And Human History Of The Archipelago, Charting Its Evolution From Deserted Wilderness To Scientific Resource (made Famous By Charles Darwin) And Global Ecotourism Hot Spot. He Describes The Island Chain's Fiery Geological Origins As Well As The Long History Of Human Interaction With It, And Draws Vivid Portraits Of The Galapagos' Diverse Life Forms, Capturing Its Awe-inspiring Landscapes, Its Understated Flora, Its Stunning Wildlife And, Crucially, The Origin Of New Species. Finally, He Considers The Immense Challenges Facing The Islands And What Lies Ahead. Nicholls Shows That What Happens In The Galapagos Is Not Merely An Isolated Concern, But Reflects The Future Of Our Species' Relationship With Nature--and The Fate Of Our Planet-- Prologue -- Rocks -- Ocean -- Sea Birds -- Plants -- Invertebrates -- Land Birds -- Reptiles -- Humans, Part I -- Humans, Part Ii -- Humans, Part Iii -- Appendix: How To Visit The Galapagos? Henry Nicholls. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Also Issued Online. "The natural and human history of the Galapagos Islands-beloved vacation spot, fiery volcanic chain, and one of the critical sites in the history of science. The Galapagos were once known to the sailors and pirates who encountered them as Las Encantadas: the enchanted islands, home to exotic creatures and dramatic volcanic scenery. In The Galapagos, science writer Henry Nicholls offers a lively natural and human history of the archipelago, charting its evolution from deserted wilderness to scientific resource (made famous by Charles Darwin) and global ecotourism hot spot. He describes the island chain's fiery geological origins as well as the long history of human interaction with it, and draws vivid portraits of the Galapagos' diverse life forms, capturing its awe-inspiring landscapes, its understated flora, its stunning wildlife and, crucially, the origin of new species. Finally, he considers the immense challenges facing the islands and what lies ahead. Nicholls shows that what happens in the Galapagos is not merely an isolated concern, but reflects the future of our species' relationship with nature--and the fate of our planet"-- Provided by publisher "The natural and human history of the Galapagos Islands-beloved vacation spot, fiery volcanic chain, and one of the critical sites in the history of science. The Galapagos were once known to the sailors and pirates who encountered them as Las Encantadas-- the enchanted islands-- home to exotic creatures and dramatic volcanic scenery. In The Galapagos, science writer Henry Nicholls offers a lively natural and human history of the archipelago, charting its evolution from deserted wilderness to scientific resource (made famous by Charles Darwin) and global ecotourism hot spot. He describes the island chain's fiery geological origins as well as the long history of human interaction with it, and draws vivid portraits of the Galapagos' diverse life forms, capturing its awe-inspiring landscapes, its understated flora, its stunning wildlife and, crucially, the origin of new species. Finally, he considers the immense challenges facing the islands and what lies ahead. Nicholls shows that what happens in the Galapagos is not merely an isolated concern, but reflects the future of our species' relationship with nature-- and the fate of our planet"-- The Galapagos were once known to the sailors and pirates who encountered them as Las Encantadas: the enchanted islands, home to marvellous creatures and dramatic volcanic scenery. This history of the islands charts their evolution from deserted wilderness to profoundly important scientific resource and now global tourist destination. Table of Contents Prologue 1. Rocks 2. Ocean 3. Seabirds 4. Plants 5. Invertebrates 6. Land Birds 7. Reptiles 8. Humans: Part I 9. Humans: Part II 10. Humans: Part III Acknowledgments Appendix A: How to Visit the Galapagos Appendix B: Friends of the Gallapagos Appendix C: Maps and Diagrams Notes Further Reading Index Rocks Ocean Sea birds Plants Invertebrates Land birds Reptiles Humans, part I Humans, part II Humans, part III Appendix A. How to visit the Galápagos Appendix B. Friends of the Galápagos.