Foto: Joshua Vela
El lanzamiento del cuento “Loberto y Zally: Los lobos marinos de Galápagos” se realizó en la Isla San Cristóbal, de Galápagos, durante un evento Ciencia en Familia desarrollado por el GSC, el 17 de agosto del presente año. La historia impresa llegará a 200 estudiantes de nivel Básica Elemental y Media de todas las instituciones educativas de la isla.
El VI Simposio de Investigación y Conservación de Galápagos, evento multidisciplinario que reúne a expertos y a la comunidad, culminó con éxito tras presentar las investigaciones científicas más relevantes realizadas en el archipiélago.
El evento se celebrará el lunes 15 y martes 16 de julio en el Centro de Convenciones Charles Darwin, ubicado en la Isla San Cristóbal.
Endemic species of the Galápagos Islands are vulnerable to newly introduced pathogens, often transmitted through invasive hosts. One example is invasive parasitic arthropods, whose evolutionary success is linked to their association with domestic animals present in the archipelago. This interaction poses a significant risk, as these parasites can switch hosts and facilitate pathogen transmission between domestic and wild species.
Thresher sharks are key predators in the marine ecosystems of the Tropical Pacific Ocean, playing a fundamental role in maintaining ecological balance. They primarily feed on squid and small fish. This study aims to assess possible ontogenetic changes in the feeding habits and habitat use of two thresher shark species (Alopias pelagicus) and (Alopias superciliosus) inhabiting the Galápagos Marine Reserve (GMR), aspects that remain poorly understood in the region.
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.
Las especies que habitan las islas oceánicas han sido fundamentales en el estudio de la evolución. Debido a su aislamiento, estas poblaciones suelen presentar tamaños reducidos y una menor diversidad genética en comparación con sus parientes de zonas continentales. Esto puede generar efectos negativos como la acumulación de mutaciones perjudiciales y la endogamia (apareamiento entre animales emparentados genéticamente), lo que amenaza su supervivencia. Los cucuves de Galápagos (Mimus spp.) representan un caso ideal para analizar la relación entre el tamaño de la isla en la que habitan y las variaciones genéticas en sus poblaciones.
La fragata magnífica (Fregata magnificens; MFB) es un ave marina distribuida en los océanos Atlántico y Pacífico. En las Islas Galápagos habita la subespecie Fregata magnificens magnificens, nativa del archipiélago. Este estudio presenta, por primera vez, los valores hematológicos y bioquímicos sanguíneos de esta población en la región.
Las especies endémicas de las Islas Galápagos son vulnerables a nuevos patógenos introducidos, que pueden ser transmitidos a través de hospedadores invasivos. Un ejemplo de esto son los artrópodos parásitos invasivos, cuyo éxito evolutivo está relacionado con su asociación con animales domésticos presentes en el archipiélago. Esta interacción representa un factor de riesgo significativo, ya que estos parásitos pueden cambiar de hospedador y facilitar la transmisión de patógenos entre especies domésticas y silvestres.
This study investigates the diversity of ladybird beetles (Coccinellidae) on San Cristóbal Island in the Galápagos Archipelago. Researchers recorded 19 species, including four previously documented (two endemic and two native) and nine potentially native species reported for the first time. Endemic species, such as Psyllobora bisigma and Scymnobius scalesius, were rare and confined to native forests, while native species like Cycloneda sanguinea showed adaptability to various habitats, including urban and agricultural areas.
The Galápagos Marine Reserve (GMR), famous for its incredible biodiversity, faces growing threats from chemical pollution like plastics, oils, pesticides, and heavy metals. The unique location of the Galápagos, where major ocean currents meet under intense sunlight, allows pollutants to flow in and spread.
This article explores the transformation of former prison islands in Latin America—specifically Isabela (Galápagos), Coiba (Panama), and Gorgona (Colombia)—into nature-based ecotourism destinations. Originally used for exiling criminals, political prisoners, and other marginalized individuals, these isolated islands were chosen for their remote locations and difficult conditions, which made them suitable sites for confinement. However, as these prisons closed, new conservation and ecotourism initiatives developed, focusing on the islands’ natural beauty and biodiversity.
This article explores the fundamental role that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play in environmental conservation in the Galapagos Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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!