The endemic Opuntia cactus (Opuntia echios) cactus growing in the Galapagos Island Archipelago, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ecuador, South America

opuntia echios cactus galapagos islands endemic species ecuador south america plant adaptation nature biodiversity flora desert plants prickly pear coastal ecosystem wildlife habitat ecosystem diversity cactus species arid environment plant life spiny cactus tropical ecosystem island ecology botanical diversity native plants sustainable ecosystems desert adaptation galapagos ecosystem scientific research conservation efforts ecological importance unique plants endemic wildlife coastal regions terrestrial biology plant morphology habitat preservation natural heritage evolutionary biology island species plant conservation endangered species environmental science plant ecology natural world unique ecosystems galapagos conservation endemic