On Climatic Conditions, Vegetation Types, and Leaf Size in the Galapagos Islands

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Abstract
Vegetation studies on 10 islands in the Galapagos [Ecuador] demonstrate that the distribution pattern of various vegetation types, from desert scrub to evergreen forest, is closely associated with the pattern variety in local climatic conditions. Variation in average leaf size of plant communities and of different layers in the communities is associated with altitude and exposure variations and with variations in community structure. Average leaf size of a plant community is considered a useful diagnostic feature for classifying the vegetation types. Structural features of the plant communities, for example, stratification and coverage, influence leaf size of lower layers within the same community. Variation in leaf size of the shrub and herb layer is associated with variation in coverage of the layer above. Leaf size variation in the Acalypha complex and in Croton scouleri may be related to structural variations in the communities. Structure of plant communities may impose selection pressure on the Acalypha and Croton species, causing them to develop the leaf size optimally fitted for requirements of their particular environment.

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