New Galápagos Atlas charts the islands’ biodiversity and the mysteries that remain

The Darwin Foundation has released a free online atlas cataloguing 68 species and species groups across the Galápagos Islands, built by 87 scientists, park rangers, conservationists and artists. Entries cover famous residents like giant tortoises, marine iguanas and Darwin's finches alongside lesser-known organisms such as kelp, lichens and carpenter bees, each with citations pointing to further research.

The atlas also documents roughly 1,500 introduced species in the islands, about 60 of which are classified as invasive and disruptive to native ecosystems. Foundation staff say the project is meant as a starting point for both researchers and tourists, the latter being flagged as a potential vector for accidentally introducing new species.

Editors say future editions may expand species coverage and add a Spanish-language version. A separate conservation group praised the atlas as a useful tool for guiding management decisions across the archipelago.

The full dispatch is available from the source below.