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In the same way that the Galapagos
has many unique varieties of animal and animals that are obviously
similar to those found elsewhere in the world, although they are
unique in a novel Galapagos way, so the plants are also subject to
the same unique selection pressure that give new types and novel
variations on a somewhat familiar theme.
The native plants are also
susceptible to similar problems from introduced species as the
animals are. The assault comes in two ways, firstly as competition
from other non-native plants that elbow the native species out of
the way denying them the space to grow, and secondly from non-native
animals such as goats that are able to reach and eat plants in ways
that the native large herbivores, the Galapagos Tortoises in their
many varieties could never manage.
Picture courtesy NOAA |
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