New Populations of Scalesia cordata
Found in Southern Isabela

New Populations of Scalesia cordata Found in Southern Isabela Island, Galapagos

Puerto Ayora, September 16, 2024 – Park rangers from the Galapagos National Park Directorate (GNPD), in collaboration with scientists from the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF), have discovered two new areas of Scalesia cordata on Sierra Negra volcano, located in southern Isabela Island. This discovery marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to preserve this critically endangered species, which has seen its natural habitat severely reduced.

The larger of the two areas, named "Carpuela," spans 2 hectares and is home to 43 adult trees, 102 juveniles, and 17 seedlings, all in good health. This discovery is significant, as Scalesia cordata has faced a dramatic decline in population in recent years. Following the discovery, the GNPD and CDF immediately implemented protective measures, including the removal of invasive plant species and ongoing monitoring to encourage the species' natural regeneration.

Heinke Jäger, leader of the Restoration Project at the CDF, said: “Finding more and more Scalesia cordata trees gives us great hope that we can save this species from extinction. When we started this project in 2021, we believed there were only 300 trees left on Isabela. Today, thanks to our joint efforts, we have increased the population to over 3,000, but there is still much work ahead. Scalesia cordata is an endemic species to Isabela that supports a unique biodiversity, including the vermilion flycatcher, several species of finches, and hundreds of insects and plants that depend on this ecosystem for survival.”

A second, smaller remnant of Scalesia cordata was found in a nearby area, covering approximately 40 square meters, consisting of just four adult trees. Similar protective and monitoring efforts are underway to safeguard this population as well.

The value of Scalesia in Galapagos ecosystems

Scalesia is a plant genus found only in the Galapagos Islands, with 15 species varying by island and climate zone. These species are vital to the archipelago’s ecosystems, as they provide habitat for many endemic species of birds, insects, and plants. The Scalesia species are considered the plant equivalent of Darwin's finches and the giant tortoises, having evolved in distinct forms and adapted to different environments. Sadly, Scalesia cordata, named for the heart-shaped leaves and found nowhere else in the world but the slopes of Isabela’s southern volcanoes, has been severely impacted by habitat degradation, particularly on the Cerro Azul and Sierra Negra volcanoes.

A 2002 study by the CDF and GNPD estimated around 1,075 Scalesia cordata trees. Yet by 2019, less than 3% of that population was estimated to remain, with a concerning absence of young trees, raising alarms about the species' potential extinction.

“The situation with Scalesia cordata is alarming. It’s heartbreaking to walk for hours and find only a few scattered trees and no seedlings. We still have populations where natural regeneration hasn’t occurred. But discovering new populations motivates us to continue our restoration efforts with even more determination,” said Miriam San José, a researcher at the CDF.