Galapagos: Living Laboratory for plant, animal and marine research

SAN CRISTOBAL, GALAPAGOS, ECUADOR - FEBRUARY 09: A starfish is seen among fish in Kicker Rock Islet near San Cristobal island, part of Galapagos archipelago on February 09, 2025. Located 926 kilometers off the coast of Ecuadorone of South America's most fascinating countriesthe Galapagos National Park spans 13 main islands and numerous islets, captivating biologists, environmental scientists, and tourists with its rich ecology. Recognized as one of the world's largest and most biologically diverse marine protected areas, the Galapagos Marine Reserve is home to more than 2,900 marine species. As a rising destination for studying and documenting underwater biodiversity, the archipelago hosts an array of remarkable wildlife, including hammerhead sharks, sand sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, whales, dolphins, albatrosses, sea lions, penguins, fur seals, cormorants, marine iguanas, tropical fish, and the great blue heron. (Photo by Ozge Elif Kizil/Anadolu via Getty Images)