Island Ecosystems: Challenges to Sustainability

Description

Sustainable development is a process to improve the quality of life of people, while maintaining the ability of social–ecological systems to continue to provide valuable ecological services that social systems require. In the Galapagos Islands, the maintenance of amenity resources to support tourism and the quality of life of residents is explicitly linked to ecosystem goods and services, particularly, the accessibility to high-quality natural environments and the terrestrial and marine visitation sites that showcase iconic species. On June 26-30, 2022, the Galapagos Science Center celebrated its 10-Year Anniversary. As the crowning event of the anniversary celebration, the World Summit on Island Sustainability was held on San Cristobal Island, Galapagos Archipelago of Ecuador. The intent of the World Summit was to bring together leading experts on island ecosystems and, particularly, on island sustainability from across the globe to represent a diversity of perspectives, approaches, and stakeholder groups. The World Summit was an exclusive event that featured an “expert convening” of scholars and practitioners to address the social, terrestrial, and marine sub-systems of the Galapagos Islands and other similarly challenged island ecosystems from around the globe. The World Summit attracted 150 scientists to the Galapagos Islands to discuss projects conducted, for instance, in the Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, Guam, French Polynesia, Chile, Australia, and the Caribbean Islands. Island vulnerability, resilience, and sustainability were examined by scholars, for instance, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Catholic University of Chile, University of Guam, James Cook University, University of the Sunshine Coast, North Carolina State University, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, California Academy of Sciences, University of San Francisco, and the University of South Alabama as well as affiliated scientists from Exeter University, University of Edinburgh, University of Southampton, and the Galapagos National Park.  The World Summit also included scholars from Re:wild, World Wildlife Fund, EarthEcho, and the East-West Center, Hawaii. Foreword: World Summit on Island Sustainability Preface: Galapagos Science Center and Island Sustainability Overview Statement Contents Editors and Contributors About the Editors Contributors Part I: UNC & USFQ Galapagos Science Center, 10th Year Anniversary Chapter 1: Connected Places and Social-Ecological Forces that Impact Small Island States and Their Sustainability: An Essay Introductions Islands – Space and Place Island Sustainability Concluding Thoughts References Part II: Communique of the World Summit on Island Sustainability Chapter 2: Communique – Goals and Objectives of the World Summit on Island Sustainability Introduction The Galapagos Initiative – An Overview Highlights of the World Summit on Island Sustainability Conclusions Part III: Island Ecosystems: Challenges to Sustainability Chapter 3: Globalization & The Challenging Political Economy of Governing (and Researching) Islands in Contemporary Times Introduction: Islands and Sustainability What Do We Mean by Governance for Sustainability? Context: Democratic Governance Today Liberal Democracy in Nation-States State Capacity in Contemporary Nation-States International Cooperation and Governance Frameworks Islands as Hotspots for Researching Governance for Sustainability Island Governance in a “Less Governable” World What Can Be Done? References Chapter 4: Changing Land Use in Island Countries: A Meta Perspective on Effects of Demographic Processes and Tourism Introduction Methodology for and Scope of Literature Review Topic 1. Population Aspects of Land Use (LU) in Islands, Including Migration Topic 2. Urbanization Topic 3. Tourism Topic 1. Population Aspects of Land Use (LU) in Islands, Including Migration Population Growth Effects Migration Effects Topic 2. Urbanization Topic 3. Tourism Some Theoretical Considerations Asia-Pacific Region Caribbean Africa Other Conclusions References Chapter 5: Pacific Island Perspectives on Invasive Species and Climate Change Introduction Invasive Species and Climate Change: Threats to Island Sustainability The Pacific RISCC Management Network Pacific RISCC Case Studies Case 1: Managing for Freshwater Sustainability under a Changing Climate in Hawaiʻi Case 2: Monitoring Typhoon and Land Cover Impacts on Endemic Birds in CNMI Conclusions References Chapter 6: On-the-Ground Solutions to Help People and Wildlife in a Changing Climate Introduction Helping wildlife Adapt to a Changing Climate Helping Communities Adapt to a Changing Climate Discussion & Conclusions References Part IV: Island Ecosystems: Social Sub-systems Chapter 7: Climate and Health Challenges in Small Island States: Identifying Vulnerability in Water and Food Resources in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador Introduction Dual Burden of Disease in Pacific SIS and Galapagos Water Insecurity and Health Food Insecurity and Health Identifying Vulnerable Households Climate-Related Vulnerability and Health: Lessons from Galapagos References Chapter 8: Improvements in the Galapagos Health System: Telemedicine, Research & Medical Assistance Introduction Description of the Environment Impact on Society Objective Methods & Results Discussions and Conclusions References Chapter 9: Social Issues in the Galapagos Islands: A Participatory and Exploratory Study Introduction Intrinsic, Contextual, and Structural (ICS) Analytical Framework Materials and Methods Study Design Study Participants Study Settings Data Collection Analysis Findings Tension Between Human and Animal Needs Lack of a Cultural Identity of Local People Lack of Confidentiality and Confidence Using Healthcare Services Cultural Norms Regarding Violence and Corporal Punishment Researchers Seen as Extractive and Not Giving Back to the Communities ICS Analytical Framework Findings Current Efforts to Address Social Issues Discussion Conclusion References Chapter 10: Towards Increased Island Food System Resilience: Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic Introduction COVID-19 in the Galapagos Objective Methods Research Team and Reflexivity Participants and Procedures Data Analysis Results Participant Summary Coping via Supplementary Income, Home Gardens, and Food Sharing Positive light Negative light Stress (Eating) and Sedentarism Reducing to the Essentials Participant-Sourced Ideas for Municipal Assistance Eat Local – Galápagos Pride Conclusions References Chapter 11: Understanding the Impacts of a Natural Disaster: Evidence from the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami Introduction Context Data Methods and Measures Results Pre-Tsunami Characteristics and Post-Tsunami Changes in Location and Living Arrangements Post-Tsunami Locations and the Evolution of Economic Resources Discussion and Conclusions References Part V: Island Ecosystems: Terrestrial Sub-systems Chapter 12: Unravelling the Interactions Between Endemic and Invasive Plant Species in the Galapagos Islands Introduction The Complex Tomato Case The Guava-Guayabillo Case Guava invasion and Human History in the Galapagos Consequences of Secondary contact in Psidium Common Themes and Future Directions References Chapter 13: Galapagos Land Snails and Environmental Sustainability Introduction Study Areas Methods Results Snail Diversity Soil Characterization Consumption Rates Experiment Discussion References Chapter 14: Galapagos Petrels Conservation Helps Transition Towards a Sustainable Future Introduction Nest Mapping Interviews and Outreach Nest Monitoring Conclusions: Achievements and Next Steps References Chapter 15: Impact of Weathering and Mineralogy on the Chemistry of Soils from San Cristobal Island, Galapagos Introduction Geologic Setting and Samples Methods Results X-Ray Diffraction Chemical Indices of Weathering Sr and Nd Isotopes Discussion Eolian Contributions to San Cristóbal Samples Marine Aerosol Influence Volcanic Ash and Eolian Dust Influence Weathering Intensity and Mineralogy Control in San Cristóbal Soils Conclusions References Chapter 16: Mapping Narratives of Agricultural Land-Use Practices in the Galapagos Introduction Background: Trajectory of Invasive Plants in the Land Cover Composition of the Galapagos Highlands First Iteration: Expanding the Spatial and Categorical Resolution in Land Cover Second Iteration: Synthesizing Qualitative Data to Refine and Enhance the Land Cover Narrative Third Iteration: Silvopastures Fourth Iteration: Characterizing Agricultural Practices in Galapagos Reflection References Chapter 17: Land Use and Land Cover Change in the Galapagos: Economic and Natural Drivers Introduction Land Cover History and Trajectory Agricultural Highlands Urbanized Lowlands Closing Remarks References Part VI: Island Ecosystems: Marine Sub-systems Chapter 18: Common Oversights in the Design and Monitoring of Ecosystem-Based Management Plans and the Siting of Marine Protected Areas Introduction Including Connectivity in Zoning, Siting of MPAs and Assessment of Performance of EBM Programs Why the Galápagos Islands Is an Ideal System and Why We Should also Look at Continental Populations? The Importance of Species Interactions in Monitoring and Assessing EBM and MPAs Attributing Biodiversity Change to Management Concluding Remarks References Chapter 19: Levels of Upwelling are Important to Consider for Conservation Introduction Material and Methods Sampling Design and Analyses Results Benthic Cover and Water Temperature Abundance and Biomass of Herbivorous Fishes Discussion Herbivore Abundance and Trophic Biology Upwelling Driven Habitats, Algal Subsidy and Ecosystems Effects Implications for Conservation? References Chapter 20: Ten Years of Wildlife Health and Conservation in the Galapagos, 2013–2022 Introduction Relationships Ideas Permitting Process Materials, Supplies, and Logistics Animal Capture and Handling Sample Collecting, Storage, and Analysis Writing Up Results Partners References Chapter 21: Challenges in the Application of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management in the Galapagos Islands Introduction Principles and Characteristics of the EAF Management of Fishery Resources in the Galapagos Archipelago From Conventional Management to the Ecosystem Approach Participatory Management System Management Actions Zoning How to Benefit the Application of the EAF in the GMR Management System? References Chapter 22: Cetaceans of the Galapagos Archipelago: Species in Constant Change and the Importance of a Standardized and Long-Term Citizen Science Program Introduction Methods Study Area Occasional Sightings Contributions Results Species Distribution and Presence Behavior Tourist Swimming with Cetaceans in Galapagos. Dead Animals Discussion Conclusion References Chapter 23: Establishing Standardized Health Baselines for Green Turtle Populations Introduction Methods Study Sites Turtle Collection Flipper Tagging External Measurements and Observations Blood Collection, Storage and Analysis Laboratory Analysis Scaled Mass Index Statistical Analysis Results Demography and External Indicators Scaled Mass Index Health Parameters Discussion References Part VII: Island Ecosystems: Interdisciplinary Science for Sustainability Chapter 24: An Agent-Based Model of Household Livelihood Strategies in the Galapagos Islands: Impact of Jobs in Fishing, Fishing Restrictions, and Fishing Deregulation on Household Employment Decisions Introduction Study Area GF-ABM: Generalized Structure & Function GF-ABM: Hypothetical Scenarios of Change Analysis & Discussion Conclusions References Chapter 25: The Role for Scientific Collections and Public Museums in Island Conservation Introduction The Collections The Physical Specimen The Specimen Data and Metadata Core Functions: Building, Maintaining, and Using the Collections The Expanded Mission of Museums How Museums and Collections Support Island Conservation The Traditional Work of Museums: Taxonomy and Systematics Insights from Museum DNA Documenting and Studying Parasites and Wildlife Diseases Mapping and Documenting Invasive Species Environmental Contaminants Stable Isotopes, Diet, and Habitat Association Collections of Fieldnotes and Photos: Other Museum Archives Museums in the Galápagos Future Recommendations Literature Cited Chapter 26: The Museum Effect: Platforms for Advocacy and Sustainability in Insular Environments Introduction North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences Scales and Relevance Marine Research Gallery Portal Living Shoreline Open Ocean Shallow Coast Daily Planet Theater Deep Sea Discussion References Chapter 27: Microgrids: An Opportunity for Sustainable Development on Islands Introduction Why Island Microgrids Are Testbed for Future Development New Technologies Emerging as Potential Drivers How Big Is a Microgrid? Case of San Cristóbal Island Global Microgrid Systems on Islands Opportunities and Threats to Island Sustainability Conclusions References Part VIII: Island Sustainability: Paths Forward in the Galapagos & Beyond Chapter 28: Island Digital Ecosystem Avatars (IDEA) Consortium: Infrastructure for Democratic Ecological Action Introduction: Island Earth Islands as Model Systems for Sustainability Science Island Research in French Polynesia Networking Island Research Stations as Innovation Hubs for Biodiversity Science Moorea Biocode Genomic Observatories Island Digital Ecosystem Avatars IDEA Consortium Island Twins? Infrastructure for Democratic Ecological Action Conclusions References Chapter 29: Galapagos Genetic Barcode: A Model for Island Economic Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic Introduction Why the Galapagos Islands? Genetic Research Genetic Barcoding Galapagos Biodiversity Invasive Species Illegal Species Trade Galapagos Genetic Barcode (GGB) Implementation Employment, Training, and Infrastructure Legal Framework and Key Partnerships Achievements and Lessons Learned References Chapter 30: Island Innovation: Transitioning Towards a Circular Economy for Plastics in Galápagos, Ecuador Introduction A Plastics Circular Economy The Pacific Plastics: Science to Solutions Network Shopping Malls in the Continent Clean-Up and Repurposing Bioplastics Pathways to the Future References Chapter 31: From Building Resilience to Adaptive Transformation: Exploring the Rationale for Inclusive Governance in Galapagos Introduction Theoretical Framework Building Resilience Co-production of Resilience Innovative Governance Mechanisms for Resilience Methodology Discussion Scale Knowledge Power Reflections on Building Resilience and Transformation in Galapagos References Chapter 32: The Extinction Market: Reflections on the Possible Future of the Illegal Galapagos Wildlife Trade Introduction History of Species Extraction Current Situation Future Prospects in Galapagos References Index