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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