Puerto Ayora, July 2005
The ocean island archipelagos of the world are distinct but in very characteristic ways. Oceanic archipelagos possess odd collections of species as a result of a selective arrival and establishment process. Once established, the species of isolated island archipelagos tend to evolve into new forms. Thus, the species of ocean archipelagos, from Hawaii to Galapagos, share characteristics including how they arrived and established, and once there, how they adapted and survived in the hostile environments they encountered.
The species of island archipelagos are similarly challenged by the effects of human habitation. Among the greatest threats posed by human activity, are invasive species, against which native species tend to have little or no defense, global climate change, and human induced disasters, including pollution events.
Island archipelagos also share similarities in the patterns and consequences of human development. The Galapagos Islands of the future could well resemble other Pacific, Caribbean and Mediterranean islands of the present. Archipelagos that have undergone rapid human population growth face continuing battles (though perhaps lost wars) against invasive species, large hotel developments, ocean-going liners, the inequitable distribution of economic benefits, and the extinction of the majority of its unique native species. Ironically, in the Galapagos it is the unique native species that draws so many to the islands in the first place; their loss would massively impact the islands’ prosperity.
In Galapagos, the recent rapid increases in human population and flows of visitors have created new development and conservation challenges. Health, education and waste management needs have multiplied, as have the demands for energy and water as the population has outstripped the delivery capacity of public services. Pressures on natural resources have grown as sea cucumbers, groupers, and lobsters have become scarce. Oil spills and pollution events are more frequent. Conflicts are burgeoning as different sectors compete for the same resources. Society is further fragmented by the arrival of new human “lottery ticket holders” who hope to establish their own foothold and to prosper. The expectations of new arrivals are high as they search for job opportunities while forgetting that islands often hold bleak prospects for business development. (Small island businesses are often uncompetitive because they cannot develop economies of scale and the markets are thousands of kilometers away.)
The present development model for the islands appears unsustainable, both for residents and for the islands' unique natural heritage. The problems lay with humans and so must the answers: Galapagos needs strong and stable local institutions that work together to ensure informed decision making for equitable and sustainable development. In order for local organizations to collaborate successfully, they have to first reduce and better manage conflicts over resources and development issues. Local residents are the ones who must create a shared vision: a vision that must incorporate the building of an island culture that understands natural resource limitations; conserves energy, water and essential resources; and creates a local constituency for long-term sustainability.
In this context, the Charles Darwin Foundation is conducting its own exercise in institutional strengthening and strategic planning to adapt to this new environment. We are renewing our commitment to supporting Galapagos institutions to develop sustainable societies in the islands and so guarantee their conservation. Our researchers will continue to carry out quality, integrated research and communicate the results to decision makers and Galapagos constituents in a timely, accurate way through a variety of education and communication programs. We will continue to help build institutional and individual capacities and support actions that link local sustainable livelihoods to conservation action. In working with local people, we hope to help reconcile the desires for island development with the need for long-term conservation.
Our actions alone will be insufficient to secure the conservation of the islands. Equally critical will be the will and efforts of our collaborators including Ecuadorian Government institutions, local community partners, other nongovernmental organizations, and our network of Friends of Galapagos supporters. If we act swiftly and decisively, we can find solutions to prevent the Galapagos Islands from suffering the same fate as other ocean island archipelagos, and help them remain distinctly different in a not so characteristic way.
Graham Watkins
CDF Executive Director