Saturday, July 20, 2013

THE ISLANDS!

Why are islands important?

''Islands and their surrounding waters account for around a sixth of the world’s total area, but for their size they are home to a surprisingly high proportion of the world’s animals and plants. Estimates suggest that 20 percent of all species of birds, reptiles and plants are found on islands. In addition to this, what makes islands special is that many of the animals and plants found there are endemic, meaning they are found nowhere else on Earth. For example, over 90 percent of the species found in Hawaii are endemic, and Madagascar alone has over 8,000 endemic species.
Some of these species are descended from mainland ancestors, after the land they inhabited drifted away from the main continent as the Earth’s tectonic plates moved, while others colonised newly formed land which had emerged from the sea bed. Over time these isolated species developed adaptations to suit their habitat, distinguishing them from their mainland counterparts, and they ultimately evolved into separate species.
Remote islands often provide important habitats for migratory species, some of which, such as the Chatham albatross, may only breed on a single island. Island biodiversity isn’t just restricted to the land either. Over half of the world’s marine biodiversity is found in the waters surrounding islands, including some of the world’s most spectacular coral reefs..''

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