Ecological restoration in Baltra Island: development of a method of restoration of arid ecosystems applicable on a large scale PC-22-22
This project is currently Active
The Galapagos Verde 2050 program carries out ecological restoration using native and endemic key species for the ecosystem, on the island of Baltra, which has been heavily degraded by the presence of the US military base during World War II, introduced species and other human activities.
Patricia is an Ecuadorian researcher who came to Galapagos in 1996 to work on her PhD thesis about the “human impact on native, endemic and introduced flora on the Galapagos Islands” and since...
Anna has always been fascinated by the biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands and the Amazon rainforest. Her desire to protect these unique ecosystems motivated her to pursue a Bachelor of Science in...
David holds a Bachelor degree in agricultural engineering from the Army Polytechnic School (ESPE) in Ecuador, a master in environmental science from the university of Debrecen in Hungary in and a...
Nicolás has a great curiosity for plant species, their reproduction, ecology and how these disperse. Coming from Chile, started his career as an Agronomist studying the reproduction of fruiting...
Pavel has always admired the people behind the great scientific discoveries both in his home, the Galapagos, as well as worldwide. Further, growing up in the "Enchanted Islands" allowed him to...
I was born and raised in these "Enchanted Islands", which meant from a young age I was naturally immersed in the conservation of the place where I live. Growing up with relatively little technology...
Danyer arrived to Floreana Island when he was only two years old. As he grew up on the island, he always enjoyed the idea of living in a green environment full of natural life, as well as learning...
What does the Galapagos Verde 2050 program do to restore key native and endemic species in Baltra?
Baltra is one of the islands in the archipelago that has suffered the most degradation due to its use as an air base for the US Army during World War II. Today, most of the original vegetation has disappeared and the island is marked by abandoned infrastructure, metal remains, and debris. Baltra is also the first place that tourists see when they arrive at the Galapagos Ecological Airport, located on this island. This is why GV2050 began efforts to reestablish the flora on this island starting in 2013, obtaining valuable results on the effectiveness of the use of water-saving technologies. In 2021, the relatively undegraded North Seymour Island was used as a reference ecosystem to generate restoration targets for Baltra. For this, Vegetation of woody species and cacti in North Seymour was assessed, resulting in a list of 15 priority species and target densities for Baltra. With the information collected, this project hopes to contribute to the conservation of Baltra through the development of a restoration method for arid ecosystems applicable on a large scale in sites with different uses.
Ecological restoration in Baltra. Cacti growing amidst human impact. Photo: Joshua Sail
What tools does the Green Galapagos 2050 program use for the ecological restoration of key species on Baltra Island?
One of the important limitations in the Galapagos Islands is the availability of fresh water, so it is necessary to optimize its use using water-saving technologies. The GV2050 program uses the following water-saving technologies that are widely used and proven in other parts of the world for their effectiveness: Groasis Waterboxx®, Cocoon, Growboxx®, Hydrogel and Biochar.
Groasis Waterboxx®. It is a technology that collects rainwater, storing it to provide it through a constant supply of water to the plant, allowing it to develop better. Information on the use of this technology Cocoon biodegradable boxes. With functions similar to Groasis Waterboxx®, but made of biodegradable material that does not need to be removed at the end of its use. The video shows how Cocoon technology is used in other ecological restoration projects Growboxx®. Also developed by Groasis, made of biodegradable material, it has a hole in the center where the plant to be restored is planted and four holes in the lid where seeds can be germinated hydroponically. More information on how this technology is used Hydrogel. They are gels of polymeric materials that allow the retention of water in the soil to benefit the vegetation present on the site. The benefits of hydrogel as a water saving technology
Water saving technologies used in the GV2050 program. a) Groasis Waterboxx®, b) Cocoon, c) Groasis Growboxx®, d) Hydrogel powder
In what phases is the project timeline divided?
General map of the study sites where large-scale ecological restoration projects are developed in Baltra, divided by the different phases of ecological restoration within the GV2050 program.
Phase 1: It began in July 2013 and was successfully completed in July 2017. Approximately 3,300 plants of 11 different species were planted in six locations on the island.
More information about Phase 1 in Baltra:
Phase 2: It began in August 2017 and will run until August 2027. So far 5,200 plants have been planted and one additional species and site have been added.
Phase 3: The last and most extensive phase of the program (2027-2050) will continue with the restoration of the selected species in Baltra until an ecosystem similar to that of North Seymour is obtained.
The main objective of the project is to contribute to the conservation of degraded ecosystems, through the development of a restoration method for arid ecosystems applicable on a large scale in sites with different uses.
The specific objectives of our project are:
Evaluate the ecosystem structure of North Seymour as a reference ecosystem to guide the ecological conditions expected to be achieved on Baltra Island as a result of the ecological restoration process.
Evaluate the efficiency of water-saving technologies in five study sites in Baltra as a mechanism for large-scale restoration and a new experimental design.
Assess the woody plant community by establishing plots in not impacted natural areas of Baltra Island to compare with the North Seymour reference community along with edaphic characteristics of the two islands.
Consolidate an action plan for the ecological restoration of arid ecosystems in large areas.
Our results
What results have we obtained from the ecological restoration of key species on Baltra Island?
A protocol for the restoration of ecosystems in arid islands has been designed, using Baltra as an example, where we have planted more than 4,000 plants of 12 different species. Currently, the project is developed in three hectares, it has created a corridor and an ecological garden in agreement with the ECOGAL Ecological Airport. As of August 2022, a total of 6,400 individuals of 12 key species for the ecosystem have been planted in 8 different sites on Baltra Island.
Land iguana under the shade of Bursera malacophylla and cactus fruit. Photo: Joshua Vela
We have also analyzed data collected in the field and, as a result, two manuscripts published in internationally recognized scientific journals have been generated. Overall, our findings suggest that water-saving technologies are not always universally applicable, but may increase seedling survival and growth rate under certain conditions, providing in some circumstances a useful tool to improve breeding results of the restoration of rare plants of arid ecosystems. Efficacy of water-saving technologies during the early stages of restoration of endemic Opuntia cacti in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
Would you like to know about the results obtained by the Galapagos Verde 2050 program in 2021?
Watch the following video:
Would you like to know what awards the Green Galapagos 2050 initiative has won?
A) Green Latin America Awards
The GV2050 initiative was a finalist in the fifth edition (2018) of the Latin America Green Award and obtained THIRD PLACE in the “Water” category among 2,733 projects. Additionally, Galapagos Verde 2050 was awarded the Directv PROTAGONISTAS award "for having been one of the most outstanding stories, for the clarity of its purpose, its impact, its legacy and its ability to inspire positive change for the region and for the planet”. More information about Galapagos Verde - Summary Prizes: Read more about the success and Green Latin America Awards for the GV2050 (Blog):
Negoita, L., Gibbs, J. P., & Jaramillo, P. (2021). Cost‐effectiveness of water‐saving technologies for restoration of tropical dry forest: A case study from the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Restor. Ecol., 1–11.https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.13576
Gibbs, J. P. (2016). Balta Island Restoration as an Extraordinary Opportunity to Harness and Showcase Waterboxx Technology.
Our work is only possible thanks to our generous donors' support. Your gift contributes directly to our scientists' work at the Charles Darwin Research Station. Help us protect Galapagos! Donations in the US are tax deductible.
Contact
Av. Charles Darwin s/n, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos, Ecuador
The ‘Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos Islands’, in French ‘Fondation Charles Darwin pour les îles Galapagos”, Association internationale sans but lucratif (AISBL), has its registered office at 54 Avenue Louise, 1050 Brussels, Belgium. Trade Registry # 0409.359.103