Foto: Joshua Vela
UNC Center for Galapagos Studies y el Galapagos Science Center organizaron el primer Galapagos Day en el campus de UNC-Chapel Hill, bajo el título Galapagos Day: Building Healthy Ecosystems on a Changing Planet (Galapagos Day: construyendo ecosistemas en un planeta cambiante).
El Center for Galapagos Studies de la University of North Caroline at Chapel Hill (UNC) ha recibido una contribución de $600,000 de Royal Caribbean Group para apoyar iniciativas de investigación y aprendizaje, permitiendo la expansión de proyectos de investigación, programas de desarrollo comunitario y de participación estudiantil. El Center for Galapagos Studies de UNC-Chapel Hill es socia de la Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) para manejar el Galapagos Science Center (GSC) que es el único centro científico universitario de su tipo en el archipiélago.
En un esfuerzo conjunto para promover la sostenibilidad y la mejora en la gestión del recurso hídrico, Plastigama Wavin, la Coalición por la Seguridad Hídrica del Ecuador, la Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) con su sede en las Islas Galápagos y el Galapagos Science Center (GSC), ejecutaron en el mes de septiembre el proyecto “Implementación de tecnologías AquaCell 400” cuya utilidad es la cosecha de agua lluvia que atraviesa por un tratamiento que la deja como agua potable y lista para un consumo seguro.
Killer whales (Orcinus orca) are known as one of the ocean’s most versatile predators, yet their behavior in tropical waters remains a mystery. This study documents, for the first time, orca attacks on whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) in Ecuador and Panama, providing valuable insights into their hunting strategies in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP). Understanding these events is key to expanding knowledge about this predator’s dynamics in the region.
The species inhabiting oceanic islands have been fundamental in the study of evolution. Due to their isolation, these populations tend to have smaller sizes and lower genetic diversity compared to their mainland relatives. This can lead to negative effects such as the accumulation of harmful mutations and inbreeding (mating between genetically related individuals), which threatens their survival. The Galápagos mockingbirds (Mimus spp.) represent an ideal case to analyze the relationship between the size of the island they inhabit and genetic variations in their populations.
The magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens; MFB) is a seabird found in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. In the Galápagos Islands, the endemic subspecies Fregata magnificens magnificens inhabits the archipelago. This study presents, for the first time, the hematological and blood biochemical values of this population in the region.
Las iguanas marinas de Galápagos (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) tienen la capacidad de reducir su ritmo cardíaco para ahorrar energía en su cuerpo, una adaptación adquirida para enfrentar el evento climático de El Niño. Durante estos períodos, el aumento de la temperatura del océano provoca la disminución de algas, su principal fuente de alimento, lo que representa un riesgo para la supervivencia del único lagarto marino del mundo.
Las orcas (Orcinus orca) son reconocidas como uno de los depredadores más versátiles del océano, pero su comportamiento en aguas tropicales continúa siendo un misterio. Este estudio documenta, por primera vez, ataques de orcas a tiburones ballena (Rhincodon typus) en Ecuador y Panamá, proporcionando información relevante sobre sus estrategias de caza en el Pacífico Oriental Tropical (ETP). Comprender estos eventos es fundamental para ampliar el conocimiento sobre la dinámica de este depredador en la región.
En este estudio se analizó cómo los cambios en el uso del suelo afectan a dos especies de aves de Galápagos: el pinzón terrestre pequeño (Geospiza fuliginosa) y la reinita de manglar (Setophaga petechia aureola). El objetivo fue comprender si las alteraciones en el hábitat, causadas por la urbanización y la agricultura en islas pobladas por humanos, influyen en su tamaño, peso y niveles de la hormona denominada corticosterona, que está relacionada con el estrés.
Environmental changes contribute to the arrival of non-native species and their pathogens in sensitive ecosystems such as the Galápagos Islands. This poses a significant risk to the archipelago’s unique species, including the Galápagos sea lion (Zalophus wollebaeki), an endemic and endangered animal that faces the threat of contracting diseases from introduced domestic animals.
The commentary on the article “Addressing illegal longlining and ghost fishing in the Galapagos marine reserve: an overview of challenges and potential solutions” by Alex Hearn and Santiago Bucaram questions the proposal to develop an open water tuna fishery, warning about the risks of legalizing harmful fishing practices for the marine ecosystem. Additionally, they analyze the challenges faced by the Galapagos due to the use of illegal longlines.
This study reveals that the artisanal fishing sector along the coastal regions of Ecuador (excluding Galapagos) and Peru faces significant economic losses due to the considerable presence of marine plastic debris which directly impacts productivity.
This study, published in Marine Ecology Progress Series, examines how nutrient availability can help marine macroalgae in the Galápagos Islands better adapt to higher temperatures—a challenge they face due to climate change. Macroalgae are essential aquatic plants for marine ecosystems as they provide food and shelter for many species. However, their ability to survive and thrive largely depends on environmental conditions, such as the amount of nutrients in the water.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!