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ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION INITIATIVE 2014-2018 Yellow Warbler © Delaney Anderson

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ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION INITIATIVE 2014-2018 Yellow Warbler © Delaney Anderson ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION INITIATIVE 2014-2018 Yellow Warbler © Delaney Anderson Why Are HEALTHY ECOSYSTEMS Important? he long-term protection of Galapagos depends upon healthy natural ecosystems and the restoration of the TIslands closer to their historical condition — as they existed prior to the first arrival of humans. The natural balance of the plants and animals that evolved in Galapagos was damaged long ago by whalers, pirates, early settlers, and the many invasive species that arrived with them. Recent human activity and the increasing impacts of non-native species have continued to disrupt many fundamental natural processes involving interactions among plants, animals, microorganisms, and their environment. If left unchecked, the Galapagos Islands will eventually suffer irreversible losses of native and endemic flora and fauna. GALAPAGOS CONSERVANCY: RESTORATION IN ACTION Over the past 20 years, Galapagos Conservancy has helped to restore many threatened animal populations and to reduce the impact of invasive species with an unprecedented commitment of personnel, resources, and expertise. Between 2014 and 2018, GC seeks to invest more than $4 million in ecosystem restoration projects. Our overarching goals are: • Reducing the human footprint, including impacts from introduced species • Restoring uninhabited islands closer to their historical condition prior to the first arrival of humans in the Archipelago • Lessening the negative impact of humans on the inhabited islands. In recent years, conservation efforts have shifted from a species-specific approach to an approach that strives to restore entire ecosystems. Building on the successful eradication of introduced species, such as feral goats and rats that can dramatically alter natural systems, GC’s efforts over the next five years will focus on the holistic restoration of habitats and islands. Projects targeting the islands that are inhabited by humans will meld biological research with social science, linking ecosystem restoration with sustainable livelihoods for the people who Sunrise at Garrapatero on Santa Cruz live there. © Sarah Knutie TURNING BACK THE CLOCK, ISLAND BY ISLAND GC WILL INVEST $4,000,000 OVER 5 YEARS Protecting and restoring one of the world’s most remarkable places — the Galapagos Islands — is at the core of our Ecosystem Restoration Initiative. Fessl, Causton, and Jaeger lead GC-funded projects. Tapia (right) carries a giant tortoise on Pinta Island in 2010. GIANT TORTOISE RESTORATION © Linda Cayot Highest Priorities Giant tortoises have been extinct on Floreana since the Scientist Spotlight mid-1800s and, with the loss in 2012 of the famous tortoise New Leadership for Lonesome George, the giant tortoise of Pinta Island was added to the list of extinct species. However, with the recent discovery Funded by Galapagos Conservancy, these Giant Tortoise Restoration of tortoise hybrids on Wolf Volcano with both Pinta and scientists at the Charles Darwin Foundation Floreana ancestry, we have the opportunity to return tortoise (CDF) lead the way to save land birds, combat populations to both of these islands. By removing as many invasive insects, and restore the highlands. Washington Tapia, hybrids of non-Wolf ancestry as possible, we can also strengthen the genetic lineage of the original Wolf Volcano tortoise species. Dr. Charlotte Causton is an entomologist and specialist in Tortoise Team Leader We are establishing a small team of experts to work directly biological control of invasive insects. Beginning in 1997, Washington Tapia (Wacho), a Galapagos native, has with the Galapagos National Park Directorate in the planning Charlotte led invertebrate research at the CDF for 10 years been working for Galapagos conservation since his high and implementation of all tortoise restoration projects. and helped design the quarantine program for Galapagos. school days. He began as a volunteer at the Charles Darwin Her ground-breaking research on the control of the invasive Research Station (CDRS) working at the tortoise and land Total funding needed: $1,200,000 Giant tortoises wallow in a shady pond in the Santa Cruz highlands. cottony cushion scale led to the successful release of the iguana rearing centers. He received a scholarship from the $240,000 per year for five years beginning in 2014 © Iris Waanders Australian ladybug as a biological control mechanism. CDRS to complete his university Charlotte is currently coordinating an international effort to combat a very problematic insect, the invasive bot fly Philornis studies from Universidad Tecnica Long-term Priorities COMBATTING INVASIVE SPECIES del Norte in Ibarra, Ecuador and downsi. She organized a 2012 international workshop in Major efforts over the next five years and beyond will include completed his thesis on giant Highest Priorities Galapagos that resulted in both a strategic research and the return of giant tortoises to Santa Fe Island, and population tortoises of Cinco Cerros on Galapagos is at risk from the harmful effects of introduced management plan of this invasive fly, as well as the Land Bird surveys and more extensive genetic sampling of the lesser- southern Isabela Island under the invasive plants, animals, and micro-organisms. Invasive species Conservation Plan designed to reverse the decline of song known populations of southern Isabela, San Cristóbal, supervision of Dr. Linda Cayot. He can change habitats, crowd out or replace native species, and birds, including many of “Darwin’s finches.” and Santiago islands. Ongoing research on tortoise-plant then worked for the Galapagos affect human activities. It is vital to develop management tools interactions on Española Island to enhance habitat restoration Dr. Birgit Fessl is currently the Coordinator for the Land National Park Directorate for to combat the most destructive of these invaders, as well as efforts will be expanded to several other arid islands. In Bird Conservation Plan for Galapagos, developed in 2012 fifteen years, leading their science improve detection methods to identify new risks. Research addition, an enhanced data and information management to define research and action priorities to ensure the survival program and technical group. and management of the introduced parasitic bot fly, Philornis Washington Tapia with system will be developed. of the most vulnerable species. Birgit is an ornithologist, downsi, which is negatively impacting finch and other land GC’s Dr. Linda Cayot. Total funding needed: $550,000 specializing in breeding biology and feeding ecology. She Wacho is now assuming bird populations, is our top priority. Galapagos Conservancy © Patricia Jaramillo began her relationship with Galapagos while studying the leadership role for the $110,000 per year for five years beginning in 2014 continues to fund the lead scientist in this effort. Giant Tortoise Restoration woodpecker finches in the mid ‘90s before moving on to undertake land bird censuses and to study the impact of the Initiative, working directly with the Galapagos National Park SAVING THE LAND BIRDS Total funding needed: $500,000 Directorate and international tortoise experts. He is a reptile invasive bot fly Philornis downsi on land birds. From 2006- expert and ideally suited to lead the project management Several iconic land bird populations are in a spiraling decline. $100,000 per year for five years beginning in 2014 2009, she was the Mangrove Finch Project field manager efforts for giant tortoise conservation. Wacho has a long- Mangrove and medium tree finches, as well as the Floreana and has since continued as scientific advisor to that project. Birgit brings years of in-the-field experience and will build on term vision for Galapagos, is dedicated to ensuring a mockingbird, are all critically endangered. Timely studies of Long-term Priorities positive future for the Islands, and is deeply passionate about these species, as well as vermilion flycatchers, may help prevent established relationships with partners. the first extinction of a bird species in Galapagos since humans Other priority projects within the invasive species program tortoises. Dr. Heinke Jaeger is CDF’s resident Restoration Ecologist discovered the islands. With the focus on the inhabited islands include research to develop methodologies to combat other in charge of research for the holistic restoration of habitats The success of the Tortoise Initiative will depend upon of Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, Isabela, and Floreana, the goal is invasive insects, the Giant African Land Snail, and plants. and islands. Heinke is best known for her work in the late its having an exceptional management team, overseen and to develop management methods to ensure the survival of these Galapagos Conservancy will also support the campaign to ‘90s on the ecology of the invasive quinine tree, which helped guided by a knowledgeable, experienced leader. Wacho will rare Galapagos birds. Galapagos Conservancy will fund the lead eliminate introduced rats, mice, and feral cats on Floreana contribute to its control. She worked as a senior plant ecologist be responsible for planning, development, and execution scientists in this effort. Island, as well as follow-up projects related to the rodent at the CDF from 2000–2005, and then completed her PhD of research and management projects; collaboration and Total funding needed: $500,000 eradication campaigns of 2011 and 2012. on the invasion and control of quinine on Santa Cruz. Dr. coordination with the park, scientists, and others; data analysis $100,000
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