Noticias y Eventos

Foto: Joshua Vela

Últimas noticias

Expedición científica estudia varias especies de megafauna en Galápagos

La Dirección del Parque Nacional Galápagos (DPNG), en colaboración con la Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), el Galapagos Science Center (GSC) y Proyecto Mantas Ecuador (PME), llevó a cabo una expedición científica en el Sur y Este de la Isla Isabela. Con el respaldo de Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, Mote Marine Laboratory, Georgia Aquarium y Ocean Tracking Network, la investigación permitió levantar información para al menos cuatro proyectos de investigación.

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Una década de ISLAVET: Ciencia en acción para la conservación de Galápagos

El programa ISLAVET concluyó con éxito su décima edición, consolidándose como una iniciativa importante para la ciencia y la conservación en el archipiélago. En esta ocasión, un equipo de 33 personas, compuesto por 23 estudiantes de veterinaria y 10 veterinarios de Estados Unidos, Australia, Reino Unido, Singapur y la Escuela de Veterinaria de la Universidad San Francisco de Quito, participó en investigaciones de campo bajo la dirección de Juan Pablo Muñoz, Diana Deresienski, Gregory Lewbart y Daniela Alarcón, del Galapagos Science Center (GSC).

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USFQ e INSPI firmaron convenio para fortalecer la investigación científica y la formación académica

La Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) y el Instituto Nacional de Investigación en Salud Pública (INSPI) “Dr. Leopoldo Izquieta Pérez”, institución adscrita al Ministerio de Salud Pública (MSP), firmaron un convenio de cooperación interinstitucional con el objetivo de fortalecer la investigación científica y la formación académica en el ámbito de la salud pública y vida silvestre en Ecuador.

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SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES

Artículos Científicos

Global tracking of marine megafauna space use reveals how to achieve conservation targets

An international team of over 400 scientists, including Alex Hearn, professor at Universidad San Francisco de Quito and researcher at the Galapagos Science Center, tracked more than 12,000 marine animals via satellite. The goal of this global effort was to accurately identify migratory routes and key areas used by different species for feeding, breeding, or movement, in order to generate essential information for their conservation.

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First epidemiological survey of Toxoplasma Gondii in Galapagos sea lions (Zalophus wollebaeki)

In this study, the exposure to the parasite Toxoplasma gondii was evaluated for the first time in Galápagos sea lions (Zalophus wollebaeki), a vulnerable and endemic species. Through serological, molecular, and histopathological analyses of samples from both live animals and carcasses, a high seroprevalence was identified in juveniles (79%), along with the presence of parasitic DNA in lung tissues.

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Preferencias heterogéneas por un transporte marítimo más limpio en el sector turístico: Un experimento de elección en las Islas Galápagos

El transporte marítimo es fundamental para el turismo en Galápagos, pero también representa una fuente importante de contaminación. Este estudio explora la disposición de los turistas a pagar por tecnologías de propulsión más limpias, eléctrica e híbrida, como alternativa a los motores de combustión interna, con el objetivo de promover un turismo más sostenible en este frágil ecosistema.

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El rastreo global del uso del espacio por megafauna marina revela cómo alcanzar los objetivos de conservación

Un equipo internacional de más de 400 científicos, entre ellos Alex Hearn, profesor de la Universidad San Francisco de Quito e investigador del Galapagos Science Center, rastreó por satélite a más de 12.000 animales marinos. El objetivo de este esfuerzo global fue identificar con precisión las rutas migratorias y las zonas clave utilizadas por distintas especies para alimentarse, reproducirse o desplazarse, y así generar información fundamental para su conservación.

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First epidemiological survey of Toxoplasma Gondii in Galapagos sea lions (Zalophus wollebaeki)

In this study, the exposure to the parasite Toxoplasma gondii was evaluated for the first time in Galápagos sea lions (Zalophus wollebaeki), a vulnerable and endemic species. Through serological, molecular, and histopathological analyses of samples from both live animals and carcasses, a high seroprevalence was identified in juveniles (79%), along with the presence of parasitic DNA in lung tissues.

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Characterizing juvenile blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) nursery areas in the Galapagos: new methods and understandings

A recent study conducted on San Cristóbal Island, Galápagos, successfully identified nursery areas of the blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) using drones as the primary tool. This research compared the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with traditional methods such as gillnets, revealing that drones allow for significantly higher and non-invasive detection of juvenile sharks in coastal areas.

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Mapping Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs) in the Central and South American Pacific: Existing knowledge and data needs

Chondrichthyans, a class of aquatic vertebrates (sharks, rays, and chimaeras), are facing a global extinction crisis driven by overfishing, habitat degradation, climate change, and pollution. Of the approximately 1,250 species studied, more than one third (37%) are at risk of extinction according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, making this group the second most threatened among vertebrates.

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Assessment of feeding patterns of the mottled scorpionfish (Pontinus clemensi) in the Galápagos Marine Reserve

The Spotted Scorpionfish (Pontinus clemensi) is a species of high economic, ecological, and cultural value in the Galápagos Islands. In recent years, it has gained relevance in the artisanal fisheries of the Galápagos Marine Reserve (GMR) due to the overexploitation of traditional species such as bacalao (Mycteroperca olfax) and camotillo (Paralabrax albomaculatus). As a result, its presence in local markets and its consumption within the community have increased.

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Eventos

7º Simposio de Investigación y Conservación de Galápagos

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, en la isla San Cristóbal, será la sede del 7º Simposio de Investigación y Conservación en Galápagos.
Este importante evento multidisciplinario, que se llevará a cabo el lunes 14 y martes 15 de julio de 2025 en el Centro de Convenciones Charles Darwin, será organizado por el Galápagos Science Center, gracias al auspicio de la Universidad de Carolina del Norte en Chapel Hill y la Universidad San Francisco de Quito, y con el apoyo del Parque Nacional Galápagos.

6º Simposio de Investigación y Conservación de Galápagos

El 6º Simposio de Investigación y Conservación de Galápagos se llevó a cabo el lunes 15 y martes 16 de julio de 2024 en el Centro de Convenciones Charles Darwin en San Cristóbal, Galápagos.
Este importante evento multidisciplinario fue organizado por el Galápagos Science Center, con el auspicio de la Universidad de Carolina del Norte en Chapel Hill y la Universidad San Francisco de Quito, y con el aval del Parque Nacional Galápagos.

5º Simposio de Investigación y Conservación de Galápagos

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, en la isla San Cristóbal, será la sede del 5º Simposio de Investigación y Conservación de Galápagos.
Este importante evento multidisciplinario contará con presentaciones científicas y charlas enfocadas en la comunidad, mostrando investigaciones e iniciativas relacionadas con la conservación, el cambio ambiental, la biodiversidad y los océanos, la salud y las iniciativas comunitarias.

Cumbre Mundial sobre Sostenibilidad Insular

En 2022, el Galápagos Science Center (GSC) y la iniciativa más amplia UNC & USFQ Galápagos celebraron su décimo aniversario.
El GSC organizó la Cumbre Mundial sobre Sostenibilidad Insular del 26 al 30 de junio de 2022 en el Galápagos Science Center y en el Centro de Convenciones Comunitario en San Cristóbal.

7TH GALAPAGOS RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION SYMPOSIUM

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, on San Cristóbal Island, will host the 7th Symposium on Research and Conservation in Galápagos. This important multidisciplinary event, which will take place on Monday, July 14 and Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at the Charles Darwin Convention Center, will be organized by the Galapagos Science Center, thanks to the sponsorship of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Universidad San Francisco de Quito, and with the support of the Galápagos National Park.

6TH GALAPAGOS RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION SYMPOSIUM

The 6th Galápagos Research and Conservation Symposium  took place on Monday, July 15 and Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at the Charles Darwin Convention Center on San Cristóbal, Galápagos. This important multidisciplinary event was organized by the Galapagos Science Center, with the sponsorship of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Universidad San Francisco de Quito with the endorsement of the Galapagos National Park.

5TH GALAPAGOS RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION SYMPOSIUM

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, on San Cristóbal Island, will host the 5th Galapagos Research and Conservation Symposium. This significant multidisciplinary event  will feature scientific presentations and community-focused talks, showcasing research and initiatives related to conservation, environmental change, biodiversity and oceans, health, and community initiatives.

World Summit on Island Sustainability

In 2022, the Galapagos Science Center (GSC) and the broader UNC & USFQ Galapagos Initiative celebrated its 10th Anniversary. The GSC hosted the World Summit on Island Sustainability on June 26–30, 2022 at the Galapagos Science Center and the Community Convention Center on San Cristobal Island.

In 2022, the Galapagos Science Center (GSC) and the broader UNC & USFQ Galapagos Initiative will celebrate its 10th Anniversary. We are proud to announce the World Summit on Island Sustainability scheduled to be held on June 26–30, 2022 at the Galapagos Science Center and the Community Convention Center on San Cristobal Island.

The content of the World Summit will be distributed globally through social media and results documented through papers published in a book written as part of the Galapagos Book Series by Springer Nature and edited by Steve Walsh (UNC) & Carlos Mena (USFQ) as well as Jill Stewart (UNC) and Juan Pablo Muñoz (GSC/USC). The book will be inclusive and accessible by the broader island community including scientists, managers, residents, tourists, and government and non-government organizations.

While the most obvious goal of organizing the World Summit on Island Sustainability is to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the GSC and the UNC-USFQ Galapagos Initiative, other goals will be addressed through special opportunities created as part of our operational planning of the World Summit.

For instance, we seek to elevate and highlight the Galapagos in the island conservation discourse, seeking to interact with other island networks in more obvious and conspicuous ways to benefit the Galapagos Islands, the UNC-USFQ Galapagos Initiative, and the world. We will seize the opportunity to further develop the I2N2 – International Islands Network-of-Networks. Further, we wish to highlight and emphasize multiple visions of a sustainable future for the Galapagos Islands and we cannot do this alone. Therefore, engaging the Ecuadorian Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Tourism, the Government Council of Galapagos, the Galapagos National Park, and local Galapagos authorities, including government and non-government organizations and local citizen groups, is imperative.

The Galapagos Science Center on San Cristobal Island, Galapagos

Borrowing from Hawaii’s and Guam’s Green Growth Program and the Global Island Partnership, we wish to examine existing global programs that emphasize island sustainability and their incorporation into life, policies, and circumstances in the Galapagos Islands. We will also seek to enhance our connections with the institutional members of our International Galapagos Science Consortium and expand the Consortium through the recruitment of other member institutions. We will also work to benefit islands and their local communities by working with citizen groups as well as important NGOs who seek to improve the natural conditions in the Galapagos and diminish the impact of the human dimension on the future of Galapagos’ ecosystems.

Lastly, we will use the World Summit to benefit UNC & USFQ and our constituencies through a strong and vibrant communication plan about the World Summit, creating corporate relationships as sponsors, identifying funding goals through donors, and benefiting our study abroad program for student engagement in the Galapagos Islands. We plan to develop and issue a Galapagos Sustainability Communique after the World Summit that includes the vision and insights of all its participants for a sustainable Galapagos with applicability to global island settings.

We are eager to hear your perspective and have you join us at the World Summit on Island Sustainability!