The Fascinating Phenomenon of Island Wildlife Convergence

Credit: Ella Ragasa from Pexels

Discover the enchanting French island of Réunion, located east of Madagascar. This volcanic paradise has often been compared to Hawaiian ⁣volcanoes due to its similar climate and geography. Surprisingly,⁣ half of the island’s lush vegetation ‍was introduced by humans centuries ago. A team‌ of scientists is now investigating how and why certain ⁣species made their way ⁣to Réunion while others did‌ not.

Human activity has led to the introduction of‍ thousands of ‍non-native species worldwide, with around 200 new species‌ invading different⁤ territories each year. This phenomenon has raised concerns about the impact on local ecosystems and biodiversity. Scientists are particularly⁤ interested in understanding why some islands‍ harbor more non-native species than others.

Since Darwin’s time, the study of island biodiversity has intrigued researchers. In the 1950s, biologists Robert H. McArthur‌ and Edward⁣ O.‍ Wilson delved‍ into the⁤ field of biogeography to explore the distribution of native ⁤species on islands. Their ⁣findings revealed⁣ that islands farther from continents tend ‍to have fewer ⁤species, while⁣ larger islands boast greater biodiversity.

2024-08-31 19:15:02
Source from phys.org