Digital Reconstruction of the U.S. Base in Baltra, Galápagos Islands: A Forgotten Chapter of WWII in South America
During World War II, Baltra Island hosted a U.S. military base that significantly transformed its landscape and ecosystems. This research reconstructed that infrastructure in 3D using historical photographs, satellite imagery, and drone surveys, identifying more than 600 structures.
Marine iguanas have lower metabolic rates during El Niño
Marine iguanas of the Galápagos (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) are the only lizard species in the world that feeds in the ocean, relying almost exclusively on algae. During the El Niño climate event, rising ocean temperatures reduce the availability of this food source, leading to periods of scarcity. This research examines how these climatic changes affect their physiology and body condition.
High-Quality De Novo Genome Assembly for the Galápagos Endemic Lava Gull Using Oxford Nanopore Technologies
The lava gull (Leucophaeus fuliginosus), an endemic species of the Galápagos Islands, is the rarest gull in the world, with an estimated population of 300 to 600 individuals, making it a conservation priority.
Balancing post-pandemic recovery and resilience in the Galápagos: how beliefs in ecosystem fragility impact residents’ attitudes toward tourism and conservation knowledge and compliance
This research examines the challenges faced by the Galápagos Archipelago in the context of post–COVID-19 tourism recovery, as well as the need to balance economic development with the conservation of a highly fragile ecosystem.
REACCT+ Drives Local Business Development in the Galápagos
Through financial support of universities and the private sector, the REACCT+ project is strengthening six local businesses on San Cristóbal Island.
2025 Christmas Newsletter and Annual Impact Report
During this special season, we would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. We invite you to explore the news, insights, and achievements that reflect our collective efforts to strengthen conservation and promote sustainable development in the Galápagos Archipelago, a Natural World Heritage Site.
Genomic and biogeographic patterns of endemic geckos in the Galapagos Islands reveal population structure and species delimitation on inhabited islands
Oceanic islands such as Galápagos are privileged settings for studying how species originate and diverge. In this context, the endemic geckos of the genus Phyllodactylus play an important ecological role and, at the same time, remain poorly known from a genetic perspective.
Animals and Land Cover/Land Use Change: A Remote Sensing – Galápagos Islands Assessment
The ecosystems of Galápagos are in constant transformation due to the interaction between natural processes, animals, and human activities. This research analyzes how different species, both native and introduced, influence the islands’ landscape through their movements, feeding habits, and behavior, and how these changes can be observed using digital environmental monitoring tools.
Reproductive timing and intensity in a Galápagos intertidal mollusc are modulated by thermal phases
This study analyzes how variations in sea temperature influence the reproduction of the canchalagua (Radsia goodallii), an endemic mollusk of the Galápagos Islands with ecological and socio-economic importance for local artisanal fisheries. Understanding its reproductive patterns is essential for developing management and conservation strategies that ensure the sustainability of the species.
Galápagos strengthens sea lion protection with an updated management plan on San Cristóbal Island
The Galapagos National Park Directorate (GNPD), with the support of the Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), officially launched the “Management Plan for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Galápagos Sea Lion in San Cristóbal Island 2025–2030.”
