Galapagos Islands, November 2005

The first eight months

	Dr. Graham Watkins Executive Director

When I finished my time as a Galapagos naturalist guide in 1989, I hardly imagined that I would return 16 years later as Executive Director of the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF). Since my arrival eight months ago, I have learned much about the changes that have occurred in the islands during that time.

The most obvious differences have been the growth in human population, the development of the towns of Puerto Ayora, San Cristobal and Puerto Villamil, the increase in tourism, intensified fishing pressures and the elevated conflicts in the islands over resources.

While there are more boats and pressures at visitor sites, it is rewarding to note relatively few direct ecological changes in the land-based sites. With CDF support, Galapagos National Park (GNP) has effectively tackled some of the major endangered and invasive species challenges in the islands. Several populations of giant tortoises, land iguanas and Galapagos petrels are on the road to recovery and invasive goats have been reduced substantially.

In marine issues, we have taken part in extraordinary advances in the Special Law for Galapagos, the Marine Reserve Management Plan, zoning, and the establishment of a fishing calendar. Unfortunately, we have also witnessed declines in the populations of groupers, large pelagic fish, sea cucumbers and lobsters. This year, in an attempt to find solutions for fisheries management we participated in the early development, through the local Participatory Management Board, of two new potentially sustainable businesses. The first will link fishers to the tourism market, while the other will evaluate the potential for cultivating pearl oysters in the islands. In addition, our researchers supported a pilot study of open water fishing with local fishers using single lines to explore ways of reducing by-catch.

Despite these successes and many more, the islands face major challenges. The greatest of these is the need to integrate sustainability into local development in ways that guarantee the long-term conservation of the extraordinary biological value of the islands. One of the most urgent issues is effective management of marine resources, which calls for reducing conflicts and making sure all sectors work together toward long-term solutions.

Meanwhile, the greatest threat to the terrestrial biodiversity of the islands remains invasive species. In this context, the goats, cats, dogs and rats continue to directly threaten several native species, while Dr. Graham Watkins Executive Director diseases such as West Nile Fever and Avian Malaria, and invertebrates represent serious potential threats.

To meet these challenges, CDF and partners have to find new ways to work together to better manage the Galapagos human ecosystem. Local organizations need further strengthening and support, especially GNP, INGALA, municipalities and SESA-SICGAL. We must work with the tourism and fishing sectors to incorporate strong sustainability into these businesses, promoting equity and focusing on low volume, high value products. In order to foster a move away from a frontier mentality to a sustainable island culture, especially among new arrivals, we need to support the government in implementing educational reform. And the exemplary work of CDF and GNP in managing invasive species must continue and expand.

Given the large social, cultural and economic changes within the islands, CDF is adapting in order to meet the new demands from the growing local community, government institutions, and donors. Recently, the Board of Directors and General Assembly reviewed a new strategic plan. The plan includes a focus within CDF on providing integrated science solutions to management problems. In this context, we will seek to strengthen alliances with institutions and individuals that can provide social, economic and cultural insights into management problems. Moreover, we will work toward developing inter-disciplinary teams that can provide information to deal with some of the complex management challenges in Galapagos.

As always, CDF information will support the development of policy and legislation, and GNP management decisions. In the future, we will also focus more on helping develop local sustainable businesses and raising awareness among residents of the complex ecosystem in which we all live. The results of our work will be communicated in a timely, accurate and transparent manner, with the aim of strengthening our alliances with the local, national, and international community.

CDF’s vision for the future continues to be squarely focused on being the world’s leading international conservation research institution committed to the conservation of Galapagos’ flora, fauna and natural resources. At the same time, this vision encompasses a firm dedication to building a sustainable and collaborative society. We will endeavor to strengthen our relations with the growing local community, and make research results more accessible and comprehensible. In doing so, we will increase ownership of the results of research by the local community as we work together with our local, national and international partners to conserve Galapagos over the long term.

Where is tourism going in Galapagos?

Tourists arriving at Baltra airport, Galapagos © 2005 Heidi Snell

The Galapagos National Park and Marine Reserve are globally unique and extraordinary ecosystems, recognized as World Heritage Sites. This isolated island group is among the best conserved of the world’s tropical archipelagos. Much like other oceanic island systems, the Galapagos Islands are fragile. To date, Galapagos biodiversity has been remarkably well conserved thanks to concerted efforts to study and protect it, as well as relatively low levels of interaction between the islands and global human processes, which produce rapid changes in fragile island ecosystems.

Galapagos is undergoing an accelerating cycle of economic and population growth driven by external markets. These changes bring with them increased threats to local biodiversity: higher probabilities of arrival of invasive species and over-harvesting of natural resources, and more frequent pollution events. There are also several potential new threats to Galapagos biodiversity— including avian malaria, West Nile Fever and Bird Flu—that have already caused significant damage in other areas. Many of the new and growing demands on the biodiversity of the islands are fed by international markets for tourism and marine resources. These global market forces are driving business growth in Galapagos and acting as a catalyst for the expansion of the local human population. Population growth has, in turn, resulted in demands for increased local access to natural resources, public services and utilities to keep pace with the increasing human population. All of these changes have created new social and political stresses in the islands including increased conflict. This economic model is inappropriate for island systems that are limited by the availability of marketable resources, large distances to markets, a weak human resource base, and the difficulties associated with establishing economies of scale on small islands.

The CDF is concerned about economic and population growth in the Galapagos Islands, and in particular, calls for local authorities to recognize the cycle of spiraling growth. In this context, the recent focus on additional tourism growth through new modalities (sport fishing, large cruise ships, community-based tourism, day tours, and diving tours) is a cause for concern. Development initiatives should consider the environmental, economic, social and cultural impacts of this growth and recognize the need to first resolve the inequity issues that plague existing development in the islands. The tourism model in the islands requires detailed consideration and change before developing new approaches to tourism; Galapagos should first have in place the regulatory controls that will ensure long term sustainability in tourism.

Tourism in Galapagos should ensure local benefit sharing, minimize environmental impact, pay attention to limits of acceptable change at regional and local scales, and take into account the impacts of economic growth that could result in pollution and energy consumption. Uncontrolled economic growth related to tourism will lead to runaway immigration and population growth as skilled human resources are required by new ventures. In turn, increasing immigration will escalate pressures on natural resources, public services and utilities, increase social fragmentation, cause local inflation, and result in further cultural change and increased conflict.

The CDF calls for reconsideration of the economic model in the Galapagos Islands by all interested parties - those living in the islands, local and national Government, private sector interests, donors and Non Government Organizations. The CDF also calls for all these parties to work together to address these major conservation and development challenges before we repeat the history of so many other island archipelagos.

Discovering more Galapagos petrels

An exhaustive exploration of potential nesting sites of the Galapagos petrel, Pterodroma phaeopygia (also known as the dark–rumped petrel) found around 300 new nests on Santa Cruz Island. With this exciting new discovery, we are thrilled with the possibility that the seabirds which nest on this island may be extending their nesting areas.

	Juan Carlos Valarezo studies a Galapagos petrel © Carlos Robles

“The information that was available on the distribution of the species on Santa Cruz Island was restricted to well– known colonies on Cerro Media Luna,” said Juan Carlos Valarezo, a volunteer with CDF. “Now, following three months of intensive exploration of the Santa Cruz highlands, we have new information on their distribution on the island and the recovery of their population.””

At Cerro Media Luna, 385 nests were known, over an area of nine hectares. The largest and most abundant of the newly identified colonies was discovered within the National Park where they are now benefiting from a protection program aimed at reducing the impacts of invasive species on their reproduction. Of the 200 nests in this colony 180 were being used when found.

Galapagos petrels nest solely in the highlands of Santa Cruz, Santiago, San Cristóbal, Floreana and Isabela Islands. This new research has almost doubled the known population of these rare and endangered birds on Santa Cruz. 

New colonies of rare endemic rice rat found on Santiago Island
Two new populations of the endemic rice rat, Nesoryzomys swarthi, were discovered on the northern coast of Santiago Island during a monitoring expedition in March this year led by Oxford University student Stephen Gregory. Stephen has been involved in a study of this species since 2002, in association with the CDF Vertebrate Ecology team.

Introduced rat Rattus rattus ©2004 Heidi Snell

Three of the seven species of rice rats endemic to the Galapagos Islands are extinct. The four remaining species are N. narboroughii and N. fernandinae on Fernandina Island, N. swarthi on Santiago Island, and Oryzomys bauri on Santa Fe.

The two sites on Santiago Island where Nesoryzomys swarthi were detected are near the previously known population, at the site called La Bomba. The population densities of the endemic rice rats at the two new sites are lower than at La Bomba, but they represent a significant increase in the known population of the species. This range extension does not alter the highly endangered status of this unique species. No other populations of N. swarthi were found while searching for potential sites on western Santiago. Only the black rat, Rattus rattus and the common mouse, Mus musculus, were found in the baited live traps. 

At the sites where the endemic rice rat species was found, there was also a large quantity of the endemic cactus, Opuntia galapageia. Marjorie Riofrío, CDF volunteer, says: “This tends to confirm results from recent research that a relationship exists between this plant and the presence and survival of the rice rat N. swarthi.”

She adds: “While the endemic and introduced rodent species can coexist in the same habitat, the population of endemic rice rat is small compared to the introduced black rat. These population numbers underscore the grave threat posed to the endemic rat population by the presence of the more aggressive black rat, which can compete with it for resources. Research indicates that the endemic rice rat may be able to resist a prolonged drought while the introduced rat cannot We believe it is important to continue to look for evidence of N. swarthi populations on the eastern part of the island because of its drier environment.”

Alcedo Volcano rich in invertebrate species

Ana Maria Ortega identifies collected samples © Alejandro Mieles

Alcedo Volcano, on Isabela Island was until recently one of the largest and most intact volcano ecosystems in the Galapagos. Currently under restoration from the impacts of feral goats, Alcedo also has been the site of a long-term invertebrate monitoring program. Entomologists from the CDF monitored an entire altitude gradient of the volcano between 1997 and 2001 to collect baseline information about invertebrate species distribution and populations. CDF scholarship student, Ana Maria Ortega analyzed the monitoring results as her thesis project.
“I collected the work of the many people who have worked in invertebrate research in Alcedo over many years” says Ortega. “This was a fascinating project that has so many positive outcomes – for conservation in general, new data are now available to other scientists and, for my own academic development.”

Ortega prepared 25,624 specimens from among the 670 species that had been collected. The work showed that the transition zone found at 550 meters above sea level had a larger variety of species compared to the low and summit dry zones, at 0 masl (meters above sea level) and 1,120 masl.

The analysis of the presence and distribution of different species contributes to the knowledge about the diversity of invertebrate species found at the Alcedo volcano and to understanding the distribution patterns of invertebrates along the altitude gradients which will help scientists and park managers develop strategies for protecting these areas.

Local farmers help protect Isabela Island’s giant tortoises

Wilfrido Michuy settles a juvenile tortoise in the corral © Sandra Landazuri

A pilot project on Isabela Island is enlisting local farmers to help restore one of the giant tortoise populations through a unique environmental education program that also provides an eco-tourism opportunity for local people. 

The juvenile tortoises will one day return to their original home on the southern slopes of Sierra Negra Volcano but for the moment the invasive species problems in that area require keeping the young tortoises in captivity. Poaching of the tortoises is a problem even today and having the local farming community help protect and care for the young tortoises is expected to increase personal interest in these creatures among the island’s residents so that tortoises are no longer killed. The project is also being encouraged as a small scale eco-tourism enterprise, one in which CDF’s environmental education clubs will also participate as guides. 

Wilfrido Michuy, the first local farmer to participate in the project, cares for 44 juvenile giant tortoises at the “Campo Duro” Recreational Center in the upper part of the island. Working with the GNPS and CDF, he has built a corral on his property to house and protect the animals in semi-captivity from natural and human impacts. Mr. Michuy, who calls himself the tortoises “guardian” says that he took on the responsibility of feeding and protecting them in order to support the restoration of his home island and to create jobs for local residents.

In 1897, Antonio Gil, an early colonist on the island, reported seeing thousands and thousands of giant tortoises in the Sierra Negra Volcano area, but now only some 70 elderly specimens are known to exist.

CDF herpetologist Cruz Marquez hopes to recruit more “guardians” to contribute to the restoration of this, the Galapagos’ ultimate iconic species. “Future guardians will provide a natural environment where the animals can thrive and set an example of a sustainable model for appreciating Galapagos’ biodiversity” said Marquez.

More teachers and students discover the Galapagos Islands

A group of teachers disembarking at Bartolome Island © Piedad Lincango

In 1998, Lindblad Expeditions launched the “Teachers on Board” program in the Galapagos Islands to give local teachers and students the opportunity to experience the natural richness of the islands and to foster an understanding of the importance of maintaining their ecological balance. The Lindblad Expeditions ship Islander recently hosted 43 teachers and 32 students from primary and high schools on San Cristobal, Isabela and Santa Cruz Islands for a five-day tour of the archipelago. The group, which also included two local radio journalists, visited Genovesa, Bartolomé, and Santiago Islands, and the northwest of Isabela and Fernandina. For many it was the first time they had visited these locations or even their first time on other islands.

“The Lindblad Expedition ships, Polaris and Islander take the teachers to the other side of Galapagos to give them a greater appreciation of the place where they live,” said CDF staff member Sandra Tapia who helps coordinate the program.

CDF entomologist Piedad Lincango assisted with the on board activities and said that the passengers were enthusiastic and delighted throughout the trip. “They felt fortunate to see blue- and red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, frigate birds, iguanas, sea lions, dolphins, turtles and mangroves, as well as the geological and scenic beauty that makes the Galapagos Islands an earthly paradise,” said Lincango.

Using the trip’s slogan of “You can’t love what you don’t know”, the teachers discussed the benefits of conservation and recreation in the islands, and how to promote the protection and restoration of the environment. During an action-packed five days, the guests took part in a wide range of activities that included mural painting and a coastal clean up.

At the end of the journey the teachers and journalists pledged to continue conservation efforts for the archipelago with students and the community to ensure the continued wellbeing of the natural habitat and citizens on the islands.

Darwin Day 2005: Linking Science and Community

Mauricio Castrejon shows a slipper lobster to a group of visitors © Susana Chamorro

Darwin Day 2005 provided an excellent opportunity to strengthen the link between science and the local community, showing island residents the importance of science in their daily lives. The event, which took place on Santa Cruz Island from September 8-10, attracted nearly 3,000 visitors, including students from local schools and community members.

This year’s event featured a new, interactive educational exhibit with displays related to marine environments, lobster fishing, and sea cucumber harvesting. Other science projects featured in the exhibit included the monitoring of the Dengue mosquito Aedes aegypti, the restoration of the Scalesia pedunculata forest at the site Los Gemelos (twin craters in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island), the study of plant diseases, the monitoring of bird mortality due to traffic along the highway that crosses Santa Cruz from the coast town of Puerto Ayora to the Itabaca channel, and more.

CDF Executive Director Graham Watkins, praised the local community for its interest in conservation and biodiversity in the Galapagos. “We’re very happy with this year’s attendance which represents about 20 percent of the Santa Cruz community,” said Watkins. “CDF couldn’t carry out its research without the support of the local communities.”

Darwin Day 2005 marked the 126th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s arrival in the Galapagos archipelago. This annual event showcases the decades of research and collaborative work by CDF. During the three-day event, CDF staff members were on hand to provide support and answer questions from visitors, playing a vital role in linking the scientists with their neighbors and bringing research into the daily life of our towns.

CDF plans to hold similar events on other islands in the near future. “We look forward to community involvement on San Cristobal and Isabela Islands in similar events to highlight the work being carried out in collaboration with community leaders and institutions on each island,” said Watkins.

Peter and Rosemary Grant receive the prestigious Balzan Prize

Peter and Rosemary Grant, members of the CDF General Assembly © Peter and Rosemary Grant

CDF General Assembly members and Princeton University scientists Rosemary and Peter Grant have been awarded the prestigious Balzan Prize for Population Biology. The prize is valued at one million Swiss francs (US$760,000), half of which must go to research projects involving young researchers.

The General Prize Committee, chaired by Ambassador Sergio Romano, comprises 20 members from some of the most prestigious cultural institutions in Europe. In its award announcement, the Prize Committee stated: “Peter and Rosemary Grant are distinguished for their remarkable long-term studies demonstrating evolution in action in Galapagos finches. The work of the Grants is generally regarded as the most significant study of evolutionary change in the field that has been carried out in the last 30 years.”

The Balzan Prize is the latest honor for the Grants, whose awards include the Distinguished Scientists Award (2005, American Institute of Biological Sciences); the Grinnell Award (2003, University of California at Berkeley); the Loye and Alden Miller Award (2003, Cooper Ornithological Society); and the Darwin Medal (2002, Royal Society of London).

The Grants are also recognized for their publications. Their book, Evolutionary Dynamics of a Natural Population: The Large Cactus Finch of the Galapagos, received the Wildlife Society’s 1991 Wildlife Publication Award. The Grants discuss their 20 years of fascinating research into Darwin’s finches in the Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Jonathan Weiner, The Beak of the Finch: A Story of Evolution in Our Time.

Drs. Peter and Rosemary Grant accepting the Balzan Prize in Bern, Switzerland © 2005 Jennifer Stone

In a message to CDF Executive Director Graham Watkins, Peter Grant wrote: “We were on the University of British Columbia campus in Vancouver with our children and grandchildren when the amazing news arrived; most appropriate as this is where we met and began our joint career!”

On receiving the prize in Bern on November 11, Rosemary said: “I am grateful to the Balzan Foundation for celebrating the value of scholarship and for the wonderful opportunity this prize gives to young research scholars of the future. The wisdom of fostering inter-cultural and inter-generational exchange will, surely, make tomorrow’s world a better and a more humane place.”

Peter added: “Our research in population biology and evolution blends the ecological discipline of field biology with methods of genetics to reveal the power and frequency of natural selection as a cause of evolution. Charles Darwin believed that evolution would be manifest only with the passage of vast amounts of time. Now it is apparent that evolution happens in our lifetime, and sometimes very fast.”

Peter and Rosemary have been working through CDF during their entire research career on Galapagos, and are always a welcome sight when they appear for each year's field season. We wish them well for many years more!

Charles Darwin Foundation (aisbl), Puerto Ayora, Isla Santa Cruz, Galapagos, Ecuador.
Tel. (+593) 5-2-526-146/147
E-mail: cdrs@fcdarwin.org.ec
Web site: www.darwinfoundation.org

Our mission: "To provide the knowledge and support to ensure the conservation
of the environment and bio-diversity of the archipelago of Galapagos,
through scientific research and complementary actions."

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