3Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

The Galápagos Islands are a living laboratory of evolution, home to unique species found nowhere else on Earth. However, the increasing number of tourists and the growth of human settlements have disrupted local ecosystems.  

Invasive species, habitat destruction, and direct human-wildlife interactions threaten species like the giant tortoise and marine iguanas.
Conservation measures, including strict visitor regulations and habitat restoration, are crucial to preserving the islands’ biodiversity.