View from the Executive Office

Graham Watkins, Executive Director, Charles Darwin Foundation © CDF

I write to you looking out on peaceful Academy Bay. As I walked back from lunch today I passed several marine iguanas returning from feeding. It reminds me how extraordinary Galapagos is — the last tropical archipelago that retains most of its native and endemic species, and more importantly, a natural marvel of our planet.

The unspoiled nature of Galapagos and its historical impact on western thought is the foundation of its value to the world — and the basis for ever increasing international interest in Galapagos. Over the last three hundred years, many have come to Galapagos to take advantage of the archipelago — to harvest tortoises, whales, fur seals, lobster and sea cucumbers. These businesses have grown and then failed as the resource was depleted or other sources were found.

Tourism seems to be following this pattern. It has grown economically at an average of 14% per year for the last 15 years and does not appear to be slowing. Such a new “boom and bust” could easily cause irreversible damage, especially due to invasive species — the most serious threat associated with tourism. However this could be prevented if tourism growth is slowed and if businesses in Galapagos remain strongly and absolutely committed to conservation and local sustainable development.

Tourism businesses must lead this challenge. They are critical to achieving the vision of conservation and sustainable development in Galapagos. They share a bottom line interest in conserving the resource on which their businesses depend and this is a strong incentive for working holistically, both together and with other stakeholders. Building sustainability cannot be done piecemeal based on individual interests; it must be done systematically, comprehensively and cooperatively.

Galapagos is replete with expert plans and laws to create a sustainable society. Unfortunately the full implementation of these plans has not yet been accomplished. Implementation needs innovative problem solving to transform conflicts into win-win situations, the establishment and achievement of measurable goals and the communication of results to all parties. Most importantly, implementation requires leadership that builds trust and mutual respect by facilitating open and positive dialogue between all parties.

Visitors to Galapagos hear amazing success stories of the past 50 years such as the return of the Espanola tortoises from the brink of extinction, large scale goat eradications and the successful introduction of lady bugs to control the cottony cushion scale invasion. They also leave wondering how long it will last. Many of them have serious doubts. However if they see tourism business leaders take charge to develop a truly responsible and sustainable tourism industry as the basis for a sustainable society, these customers will support it wholeheartedly. Moreover they will demand that tourism businesses elsewhere do the same.

Thus through the development of sustainable business practices here Galapagos will continue to be an international conservation model and success story. It will also prove that it is possible to protect and preserve the wonderful planet that is our home while providing livelihoods for people.

CDF finding solar solutions

CDF solar power

CDF ornithologists have recommended further study of potential sites proposed for solar and wind powered alternatives for producing electricity in the islands. In some of the sites proposed for wind power (the more economic option), it has been shown that installation of the generators would impact the flight paths, nesting sites and known habitat of the rare Galapagos petrel Pterodroma phaeopygia.

While most of the fuel transported to the islands serves the fishing and tourism fleets, electricity in the islands is also provided by diesel fueled generators. There is a known risk to the environment in regularly bringing fuel into the islands. This local initiative is a step toward reducing the fuel needed to provide basic electricity services. As the leading conservation organization in Galapagos the CDF has also made efforts to reduce the need for conventional electricity by installing a system of solar panels to provide lighting for the majority of the offices and laboratories at the Station.

According to Executive Director, Dr. Graham Watkins, “We hope to demonstrate that there are viable alternatives to generate electricity that are cleaner and more in harmony with such a unique natural place like Galapagos, by using an energy source that never runs out … the sun.”

The CDF wishes to thank the Japanese people, who through the Japanese Embassy in Ecuador made the donation of the Station’s panels and their installation possible. Going solar at the CDF is an investment in ensuring a cleaner, safer future for the Galapagos.

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Lights off helps curb insect dispersal

Collection on board tourist ships

A CDF led study has shown that ship lights might contribute to the dispersal of insects to Galapagos and between the islands and threaten the delicate natural balance of the islands’ ecosystems. A quarter of the species found are introduced to Galapagos and over half of these are considered a threat to the native ecosystem.

The large number of lights on tourist boats attracts nocturnal insects, which can be transported to other islands. Simple solutions proposed by CDF’s Lazaro Roque and other CDF entomologists include the use of light bulbs with colors less attractive to insects and turning off lights before a ship’s departure.

In 2006 CDF entomologists carried out a survey aboard the cruise liner M/V Discovery for the Galapagos National Park to evaluate the risks associated with international cruise liners visiting the islands. Said Roque, ”The routes taken by these boats form a dangerous link between Galapagos and other countries creating new pathways for the introduction of invasive species.” Researchers found six moth species, four of which are not found in Galapagos and all potentially pose a serious threat to local species.

Tourism is one of the most important sources of revenue for Ecuador and for Galapagos. Lessons learned improve the ability to monitor new tourism methods, evaluate risks and respond to the ever present threat of new introductions. In the long term these studies will protect these amazing islands and their strange and precious animals and plants from species that nature didn’t intend to be here.

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The land iguana - back from the brink

Population monitoring. Jaramillo in the field

Over the last 30 years the land iguana captive breeding program has reared and released 1,136 land iguanas. Successful breeding in the wild is especially obvious on Baltra Island and northwest Santa Cruz Island since these sites are now free of the feral cats and dogs that previously decimated the iguana populations. The conservation of the endemic land iguana Conolophus subcristatus is the result of partnerships that blend research, management and stewardship. The knowledge gained from these successes will guide future programs to guarantee the survival of other vulnerable native and endemic species, and restore and maintain the natural diversity of Galapagos.

Caring for his leathery charges since 1985, the daily routine of Alberto Jaramillo, CDF’s Herpetology Field Technician involved the general care of the land iguanas: feeding, cleaning their corrals, searching for their food and going on monitoring trips to check population levels in the wild. Says Jaramillo, “the most exciting moment was when we could take the young iguanas we had raised back to their original home and set them free.”

Jaramillo, a third generation Galapagos native, often wondered as a child what lay beyond the “restricted area” sign at the gate to the iguana captive rearing center. After traversing that same pathway for over two decades it now holds few secrets. Commented Jaramillo “My body is scarred from the bites and scratches and I no longer have the top of one finger but it was worth it knowing my work helped to save their lives.”

In 2007 the Galapagos National Park Service took over the daily maintenance of the iguana captive breeding center with CDF herpetologists continuing to provide technical assistance. Alberto Jaramillo left his beloved iguanas to pursue a new life path. All at the CDF wish him well in his new endeavors.

« more about the Galapagos land iguana »

100 mangrove finches - how to stop the countdown

The mangrove finch Cactospiza heliobates

A new project began in late 2006 that aims to increase the knowledge about the needs and the ecology of the mangrove finch Cactospiza heliobates. The most endangered of “Darwin’s” finches, the species is listed as “Critically Endangered” by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The fewer than 50 pairs of the mangrove finch inhabit the naturally scarce mangrove forests of the western Galapagos Islands where they are threatened by introduced animals.

CDF scientists in collaboration with Dr. Glyn Young from the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and advisors, including ex-CDF ornithologist Dr. Hernan Vargas are assessing the remaining mangrove finch populations. Their research will provide vital clues to guide management decisions about tackling threats and restoring the birds’ critically low population as well as assist future planning for bird conservation in the islands.

CDF’s Dr. Birgit Fessl, project coordinator, said “The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust has a proven track record in the conservation and restoration of critically threatened birds. In combination with the CDF knowledge of this species and what we will learn during the project we feel confident that we can ensure the survival of this species”.

Through exacting science supporting excellent management, the CDF aims to ensure that the mangrove finch does not become another sad addition to the extinct species of our planet. The Darwin finch logo of the British Government’s Darwin Initiative that supports the project might well be the lucky charm for the mangrove finch.

Support Galapagos while shopping!

CDF has partnered with Amazon.com™, the online retailer, to provide an opportunity to contribute to the CDF mission while saving money on books, DVDs, and many more of life’s little luxuries and necessities. There are two ways to do this:

Galapagos Field Guides:

Look forward to your trip by reading up on the wonderful wildlife you will see – or give one as a gift to others planning a visit. The CDF’s web list of field guides and maps is the place to start, and for each purchase Amazon will send CDF a commission!

Anything else that Amazon sells:

As well as books on every topic you can think of, Amazon.com™ also sells DVDs, CDs, magazine subscriptions, video games, electronics, office supplies, tools and auto parts, food, clothing and pet supplies ... and more! Use CDF’s Amazon.com web link to start – and Amazon will send us commission.
Most purchases from Amazon.com™ will be shipped from the United States. Spanish language books are also available.

Coming soon on the CDF web site:

The Amazon Bookshelf of CDF authors.

Contact us

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

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© 2007 Charles Darwin Foundation (aisbl), Galapagos, Ecuador. Design, text and images are the intellectual property of the CDF unless otherwise acknowledged, and copies may not be made without prior permission from CDF.