“Architects”: Turtles trample back on nature

The Galapagos Islands are known for their unique biodiversity. The archipelago off the coast of Ecuador is home to the largest number of endemic species in the world — i.e. species that only occur there. Giant tortoises are particularly popular. At the beginning of the 19th century, animals were hunted and eradicated. But they are now the “architects” of nature — and they are not the only ones.