Adaptive Radiation
Finches present
Island overview
Charles Darwin visited the Galápagos Islands in 1835 during his voyage on HMS Beagle. This archipelago lies in the Pacific Ocean, far from the South American mainland. The islands contain a range of habitats, including dry cactus zones, open shrubland and humid transition forests. By studying the finches that live there, Darwin explored how new species can arise within an isolated area. The finches' different beak shapes are especially striking and are linked to food sources such as seeds, insects, cactus fruits and buds.
Task: Observe what happens on the island and explain how new finch species arise, taking intraspecific competition into account.
