Santiago Island
Today Santiago Island was as its very best, as both light and weather conditions were just perfect. Another fact that made this afternoon very special was that the tide was extremely low. This fact allowed us to explore a vast area along the coastline. The shore or littoral zone encompasses a wide range of habitats that occur close to the sea. These habitats include rocky shores, sandy beaches, muddy shores and lagoons. In the case of the rocky shores, these areas are heavily influenced by the continuous variations of the fluctuating ocean tides. Periodically the rocky shores are exposed to the air by the cyclic rise (flood) and fall (ebb) of the tides. This zone is therefore present for relatively short periods of time between tides. It is appropriately called the intertidal zone. This zone, ecological terms, is considered one of the most interesting and important of the marine ecosystems by many specialists, due to its richness in species. The Galapagos Archipelago has a very extensive coastline. Santiago Island is one of the better of the visitors’ sites in Galapagos in which explore and enjoy this unique ecosystem. Rock pools, rock crevices and overhangs intermingle with lava, tuff, cobbles and sand to form the perfect setting for many big and small living critters. Marine iguanas, sea lions, birds, and many invertebrates live out their lives mainly in the intertidal zone. The most wonderfully colorful landscapes and the always-rewarding feeling of exploration filled our hearts today during the walk on Santiago.
Today Santiago Island was as its very best, as both light and weather conditions were just perfect. Another fact that made this afternoon very special was that the tide was extremely low. This fact allowed us to explore a vast area along the coastline. The shore or littoral zone encompasses a wide range of habitats that occur close to the sea. These habitats include rocky shores, sandy beaches, muddy shores and lagoons. In the case of the rocky shores, these areas are heavily influenced by the continuous variations of the fluctuating ocean tides. Periodically the rocky shores are exposed to the air by the cyclic rise (flood) and fall (ebb) of the tides. This zone is therefore present for relatively short periods of time between tides. It is appropriately called the intertidal zone. This zone, ecological terms, is considered one of the most interesting and important of the marine ecosystems by many specialists, due to its richness in species. The Galapagos Archipelago has a very extensive coastline. Santiago Island is one of the better of the visitors’ sites in Galapagos in which explore and enjoy this unique ecosystem. Rock pools, rock crevices and overhangs intermingle with lava, tuff, cobbles and sand to form the perfect setting for many big and small living critters. Marine iguanas, sea lions, birds, and many invertebrates live out their lives mainly in the intertidal zone. The most wonderfully colorful landscapes and the always-rewarding feeling of exploration filled our hearts today during the walk on Santiago.
