Humans and the Galapogas Islands

by charll_smith (student)

HUMANS AND THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

The Galapagos Archipelago is located on both sides of the equatorial line approximately 970 km (600 miles) west from continental Ecuador. Local time is -6 GMT. It is formed by thirteen greater islands, six smaller islands, 42 islets and several rocks, which cover a total area of 7,850 km². The largest island is Isabela, with a total area of 4,590 km² which presents the highest point of the archipelago, volcano Wolf, 1,690 meters. 97% of the total area of the isles belongs to the Galapagos National Park, the rest belongs to inhabited and developed areas.

Delicate are continually threatened by population pressures, tourism, , and illegal fishing. Several animal species native to the Galapagos Islands are gradually disappearing as direct result of fishing and collecting. Illegal poaching of rare or even endangered species and the harvesting of several prized marine species are both on the rise, as international demand for local products such as sea cucumbers and shark fins has grown. Human presence on the islands has also brought pollution and habitat destruction. The growing traffic of people and goods has increased the possibility of species introduction - a major threat to the fragile ecosystem. Introduced species, including rats and domesticated animals such as goats and pigs, compete with native species for food and prey on the eggs and young of reptiles and birds.

A tanker smashed into the rocky coastline when it mistook a buoy for a light house. The ship, called “The Jessica”, dumped thousands of gallons of oil into the bay of San Cristobal Galapagos Island

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At the Charles Darwin Research Station at the coast of Santa Cruz island, the El Nino of 1983 resulted in a rainfall of three to four metres compared with an average rainfall of 30 cms. On the higher slopes of the island small rivers and lakes were formed and almost all the trees in the forest which consisted of a single species, Scalesia pedunculata, died. By 1985 seedlings of the same tree were growing, forming a new stand with all individuals being of the same age. In 1992 this new cohort of trees was maturing. Unfortunately in the extreme El Nino of 1997-1998, this cohort of Scalesia died and were replaced mainly by alien species. Without these aliens Scalesia would have slowly re-grown as before. This illustrates that human impact breaks the biological isolation by over exploitation of the land, through density of population, tourism, exploitation of the natural resources, and also by the associated invasions of alien species.

The impact of alien mammals was illustrated by goats on the Island of Santiago. Some initially released in 1833 probably died out, but a further release of goats and some pigs in 1917 were so successful that by the 1970s up to 100,000 goats were roaming the island. They devastated the flora while at the same time allowing two alien herbs, which the goats do not like, to flourish. In 1972 there was still some wooded vegetation but by 2003 there was mainly grassland. A programme to eradicate all the goats and pigs on Santiago and Northern Isabela was undertaken and completed by 2006.

On Pinta Island where one male and two female goats were introduced in 1959, by 1974 there were about 30,000 of them. These were eradicated and resulted in the start of such tremendous plant growth that it is now considered that some balance needs to be reached by an herbivorous species. The plan is to restore Giant Tortoises to the island. A last member of its kind (Geochelone elephantopus abingdoni), a male tortoise was found alone on his home Galapagos Island Pinta in the early seventies.(Lonesome George). Hopes to find a suitable partner for George have been futile over the years, so two genetically similar female tortoises of Isabela Island (genetically and physically close to La Pinta Tortoises) share his pen with him.For years, George has shown little if any attraction to these females and hopes to save the species had dropped systematically.

Domestic and feral cats are aggressive predators which target native wildlife, including birds, lava lizards, endemic snakes, and young iguanas. The perception of cats as pets rather than as ruthless killers makes it difficult to gain acceptance for the control of cats in Galapagos. Feral cats living in national park areas are not the only cause for concern. Abandoned cats and even domestic pets prey on Darwin's finches and native species that inhabit populated areas within once-thriving native ecosystems. On Baltra Island, feral cats had a dramatic effect on colonies of iguanas, including those repatriated there from breeding programs at the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS). The future of these endemic reptiles depended upon the eradication of feral cats on Baltra Island.

Charles Darwin Foundation was founded under Belgian Law in 1959. The CDF is an international not-for-profit organization that provides scientific research and technical information and assistance to ensure the Proper preservation of the Galapagos Islands.

CDF carries out its activities in Galapagos under a conservation research and guidance agreement with the Ecuadorian government. The Foundation is part of a network of local and national organizations supporting Galapagos Island protection. For fifty years, CDF has worked closely with the Galapagos National Park Service (GNPS), the main government authority overseeing the safeguarding of the islands’ natural resources, providing the results of scientific research to conserve this living laboratory.

CDF’s mission is to provide knowledge and assistance through scientific research and complementary action to ensure the conservation of the environment and biodiversity in the Galapagos Archipelago. Within this context, the vision of the CDF for 2016 is to be the world's leading research institution dedicated to the conservation of the biological diversity and natural resources of Galapagos, and committed to building a sustainable and collaborative society to achieve this objective.

The Galapagos Marine Reserve was established in 1998. Created as a "Protected Area", designed to protect the waters surrounding the Galapagos Islands and the resources they contain. The waters surrounding the Galapagos are home to 3000 species of marine plants and animals. The designation of the Galapagos Marine Reserve recognizes the principles of conservation, and creates the legal basis for such special treatment.