Earth's Scars: Exploring the World's Five Great Rift Systems

7. The Impact of Rift Systems on Biodiversity and Ecosystems

Not only are rift systems geological wonders, but they also significantly shape the ecology and biodiversity of the areas they pass through. Rifting processes produce a variety of terrain, different microclimates, and distinctive geological features that support an amazing assortment of plant and animal species. Many of these species have developed in isolation, which results in great degrees of endemism in rift-associated habitats. One well-known example of outstanding biodiversity is the East African Rift System. Diverse ecological niches have evolved from deep lakes and rich forests to desert savannas based on the varying terrain of the rift. This variety has helped many of Africa's famous big mammals as well as other species evolve. Particularly remarkable for their abundance of endemic fish species—especially cichlids, which have had amazing adaptive radiations—are the rift lakes, including Lake Tanganyika and Lake Malawi. Regarding the Baikal Rift Zone, the old Lake Baikal has evolved into a singular evolutionary laboratory. Its enormous age, depth, and isolation have made it possible to create a rather endemic environment. Among the over eighty percent of the lake's animal species—including the Baikal seal, many crustaceans, and a range of fish species—are nowhere else seen on Earth. The rifting process shapes the surrounding environments, which sustain several terrestrial ecosystems adding to the biological worth of the area.