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Critical Issues in Galapagos
Galapagos Conservancy (GC) announces the release of the 2009 edition of Critical Issues in Galapagos, a compilation of documents that are having an important impact on policy and conservation management in the archipelago.
According to GC’s President Johannah Barry,
“Over the past several years we have worked hard with out partners in Galapagos to arm conservation managers and policy makers in Ecuador with better information on a range of important issues. Beginning with the 2006-2007 Galapagos Report, and subsequent investments in social science and policy analysis, we have begun to fill some of the information gaps that have represented obstacles to effective conservation in the archipelago.“
The centerpiece of the Critical Issues CD is the second annual Galapagos Report, which was developed jointly by Galapagos Conservancy, the Charles Darwin Foundation, the Galapagos National Park, and the Galapagos National Institute. The Spanish version of the Report was released in Galapagos and Quito in early 2009.
The following are some of the topics discussed in the report. In many cases, the recommendations and conclusions of the authors have strengthened understanding of conservation challenges or are having a tangible effect on management practices:
• Galapagos as a social-ecological system: A new approach to Galapagos conservation
• Factors affecting acceptance of environmental restrictions
• Galapagos bird species and avian diseases
• Reducing the risks from maritime transport
• The current status of the educational system in Galapagos
• Public opinion of institutional performance
• Value of (and factors affecting) the Basic Family Basket in Galapagos
• Gender and women’s rights in Galapagos
• Compliance of the tourism fleet with environmental standards
• Installed capacity in the Galapagos tourism industry
• Impact of ecotourism on wildlife and sessile benthic species in the Galapagos Marine Reserve
The 2009 edition of Critical Issues in Galapagos is available online at www.galapagos.org or on CD by request.
For more information, please contact Galapagos Conservancy.
Galapagos Reports
The Galapagos Report is an annual compilation of social, economic, political, and biological analyses critical to long term decision making in Galapagos. It is developed jointly by the Charles Darwin Foundation, the Galapagos National Park Service, and the National Galapagos Institute, with funding and editorial expertise provided by Galapagos Conservancy. ______________________________________________________________
Galapagos Report 2007–2008
Socioeconomic Issues:
The archipelago as a socioecological system; sexual abuse of children in Galapagos; Galapagos identity; The status of the educational system in Galapagos; Value of the Basic and Essential Family Baskets in Galapagos; Public acceptance of environmental restrictions; Public opinion of institutional performance; Gender and women’s rights in Galapagos; Carrying capacity vs. Acceptable Visitor Load; The changing organizational framework in Galapagos; Characteristics of the tourist fleet in Galapagos and compliance with environmental standards; The Galapagos National Park entrance fee: A global perspective and options for the future; Tourism in Galapagos: the tourism industry and installed capacity; Improved integrated management of residual solids in Santa Cruz; trends in scientific research in Galapagos.
Biodiversity and Biophysical Resources:
Advances in the conservation of threatened plant species; bird mortality by vehicles; Dispersal of insect species attracted to ship lights; Impact of ecotourism activities on wildlife and sessile benthic species in the GMR; Towards an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries: a risk analysis; The consequences of herbivore eradication on Santiago; Pathogens and parasites: The increasing threat to the conservation of Galapagos avifauna; Perceptions of the status of the white fish fishery in the GMR; Cryptograms of the Galapagos Islands (lichens, bryophytes, and fungi): New records, threats, and potential as bioindicators; Risks associated with maritime routes to and within Galapagos; Water resource management: the Pelican Bay watershed.
Galapagos Report 2006–2007
Socioeonomic Issues: Social aspects of fisheries in Galapagos; Declining profitability of fisheries in the GMR; Efforts to control illegal fishing in the GMR; Tourism in Galapagos: a strong growth trend; How many tourists can Galapagos accommodate?; Tourism and the Galapagos economy; Air traffic to Galapagos; Risks associated with current and proposed air routes; Evaluation of the Quarantine and Inspection System; Energy subsidies; Vehicles in Galapagos; Integrated solid waste management in Santa Cruz; Public acceptance of environmental restrictions; Public opinion of institutional performance in Galapagos.
Biodiversity and Biophysical Resources: The status of endemic flora of Galapagos; Galapagos vertebrates: endangered status and conservation actions; Evaluating land invertebrate species: prioritizing endangered species; Status of marine species and habitats; Coastal fishery resources in the GMR; Evaluation of subtidal ecological monitoring of the coastal management zones; Increase in the number of introduced plant species in Galapagos; Status of introduced vertebrates; Fresh water: the reality of a critical resource.
Tourism, the Economy, Population Growth, and Conservation in Galapagos
“Tourism, the Economy, Population Growth, and Conservation in Galapagos” by Bruce Epler. This study provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date look at tourism and resource flows in Galapagos. Epler’s work, which builds on his seminal 1980 publication by the same name, challenges many commonly-held assumptions regarding the relative impact and roles of tourism, fishing and other economic activities in Galapagos, and lays out important research questions for future study.
Galapagos At Risk
“Galapagos at Risk” by Dr. Graham Watkins (Executive Director of the Charles Darwin Foundation) and Felipe Cruz (Director of Technical Assistance at the Charles Darwin Foundation). In June 2007 Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa issued an Emergency Decree which declared Galapagos at risk and its conservation a national priority. This document describes the economic, social, cultural, and ecological changes that have taken place in Galapagos over the last 15 years as a result of the rapid growth in tourism. Galapagos at Risk has played an important role in creating awareness among Ecuadorian decision makers and Galapagos stakeholders about the real drivers of growth in the islands.
Annual Reports & Form 990s
- 2009 GC Annual Report (Download PDF)
- 2008 GC Annual Report (Download PDF) or View Online
- 2007 GC Annual Report (Download PDF)
- 2006 GC Annual Report (Download PDF)
- 2005 CDF Inc. Annual Report (Download PDF)
- 2004 CDF Inc. Annual Report (Download PDF)
- 2003 CDF Inc. Annual Report (Download PDF)
- 2002 CDF Inc. Annual Report (Download PDF)
- 2001 CDF Inc. Annual Report (Download PDF)
- 2009 Form 990 (Download PDF)
- 2008 Form 990 (Download PDF)
Galapagos News
Galapagos News is a biannual English-language publication for members of Galapagos Conservancy and the international network of Friends of Galapagos organizations. Please download past issues of our newsletter in pdf form below:
- Spring/Summer 2010
- Fall/Winter 2009
- Spring/Summer 2009
- Fall/Winter 2008
- Spring/Summer 2008
- Fall/Winter 2007
- Spring 2007
- Fall 2006
- Spring 2006
- Winter 2005
- Spring 2005
- Summer 2004
- Winter 2004
- Summer 2003
- Winter 2002
- Spring 2002
Other Publications
Galapagos: Both Sides of the Coin Excerpt
Graham Watkins, former Executive Director of the Charles Darwin Foundation, and Pete Oxford, renowned photographer and naturalist guide, have generously shared several chapters of their new book with Galapagos Conservancy. It traces the history of man’s interaction with the archipelago and describes current conservation challenges. Limited numbers of this book will be available for purchase in our online store.
Zootaxa article “Conolophus marthae sp.nov. (Squamata, Iguanidae), A New Species of Land Iguana from the Galápagos Archipelago, 2009”
Abstract
- Conolophus marthae sp. nov., a new species endemic to Volcan Wolf of northern Isla Isabela of the Galápagos archipelago, is described. The new species is morphologically, behaviorally, and genetically distinguished from the other two congeneric species C. subcristatus and C. pallidus. Besides the taxonomic implications, C. marthae sp. nov. is extremely important as it is the only evidence of deep divergence within the Galápagos land iguana lineage.
(Download PDF)
“Galapagos in the 21st Century” Article in ReVista
- The Galápagos Islands off the Ecuadoran coast inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution more than a hundred years ago. Today, these islands face multiple challenges as they seek to combine conservation with sustainable development and tourism.
By Johannah E. Barry, President of Galapagos Conservancy
(Download PDF)
“Nature and Citizenship” Article in ReVista
- Can an international community provide long-term protection to Galapagos?
By Johannah E. Barry and Richard E. Knab
(Download PDF)
Project Isabela Technical Reports
- 2004 Eradication of feral goats from Pinta Island
(Download PDF)
- Conservation action in the Galápagos:
Feral pig eradication from Santiago Island
(Download PDF)
- 2003 Research for Requiems:
The Need for More Collaborative Action in Invasive Species eradication
(Download PDF)
