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Tag: UNC

Exploring stress and morphology in two songbird species across urban, agricultural, and natural habitats on San Cristóbal Island, Galápagos

This study analyzed how land use changes affect two bird species in the Galápagos: the small ground finch (Geospiza fuliginosa) and the yellow warbler (Setophaga petechia aureola). The goal was to understand whether habitat alterations, caused by urbanization and agriculture on human-populated islands, affect their size, weight, and levels of the hormone corticosterone, which is linked to stress.

Connecting the Community with Nature: A Galápagos conservation program celebrates the successful completion of its sixth phase

With the goal of raising environmental awareness and promoting the conservation of the archipelago’s natural resources, the Galapagos Science Center (GSC) and the Galapagos Conservation Trust have been running the “Connecting with Nature Program” (CWNP) since 2019. This initiative has reached over 9,100 community members on San Cristóbal Island, through recreational and educational activities tailored to children, youth, and adults.

Nutrient enrichment can increase the thermal performance of Galápagos seaweeds

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.

Ladybird Beetle Diversity in Natural and Human-Modified Habitats in the San Cristóbal Island, Galápagos, Ecuador

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.

Assessing the chemical landscape of the Galápagos Marine Reserve

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.

UNC Center for Galapagos Studies receives support from Royal Caribbean Group to enhance local programs and student experiences 

The UNC Center for Galapagos Studies has received a $600,000 contribution from Royal Caribbean Group to support research and learning initiatives, enabling the expansion of research projects, community outreach programs and student engagement. The UNC Center for Galapagos Studies partners with the Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) to operate the Galapagos Science Center, located on San Cristobal Island. It is the only university science facility of its kind in the archipelago. 

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!