PROJECT ISABELA

1. What is Project Isabela?

Project Isabela is a long-term ecological restoration initiative being carried out on northern Isabela island, the largest block of relatively non-disturbed land in the Galapagos archipelago. The project's immediate objective is the eradication of introduced goats. Left unchecked, these animals will cause irreparable damage to the island's ecosystems, leading to the extinction of endemic animals and plants. Their timely removal will ensure that the original ecological conditions and evolutionary processes are restored to near pre-invasion conditions.

2. Why was Isabela island chosen over other Galapagos islands?

Isabela island is the largest in the Galapagos archipelago and contains the greatest diversity of endemic plants and animals. Approximately 80% of surviving Galapagos giant tortoises live on northern Isabela - protecting their habitat is the best way to ensure the long-term survival of this species. The northern half of the island has remained in relatively undisturbed conditions until fairly recently (as opposed to southern half of Isabela island and other more populated islands). For this reason, Isabela island's ecosystems, though unusually intact compared to those of other large islands in the Galapagos, face the greatest incremental threats over the next ten to fifteen years, as the introduced goats establish themselves.

3. What changes have humans brought to Isabela island?

Isabela island is divided into northern and southern halves by the Perry isthmus - North. The heaviest human-induced impacts have occurred in southern Isabela island where permanent human settlements have existed for over 100 years. Here, escaped domestic animals and plants have had a heavy toll on the island's pre-settlement environment. Pigs, horses, cattle, goats, donkeys and dogs have gone feral. On northern Isabela, humans have caused relatively few irreversible disturbances to date. Changes brought about to northern Isabela result mostly from the introduction of goats, which will be the focus of the first phase of the Project. Donkeys, cats and rats are also having negative impacts on the native fauna and flora and these will be the focus of further attention in a later phase of the project.

4. How do we know exactly what impacts alien species are having?

Over the past several years, regular ecological monitoring trips have been carried out to Isabela island to understand the relation between alien species and the island's original inhabitants. These monitoring trips will continue throughout the Isabela Project's duration, and even after its completion. Results from these monitoring trips are providing information on the changes taking place on the island and will help determine future restoration efforts in the latter phase of the Isabela Project.

5. Will the Isabela Project contribute to other ecological restoration efforts in the Galapagos?

The lessons learned in carrying out the Isabela Project are expected to contribute to future restoration work on other Galapagos islands, and may even be applicable to restoration work on islands throughout the world. (Already, the Isabela Project staff has been contacted by representatives from other countries for advice on similar projects.) Scientific and technological advancements will occur and ecological restoration methodologies will be improved. These advancements will be shared with the world as part of an information dissemination strategy. In addition to scientific and technological advances, people involved in the Project will acquire valuable skills. The Isabela Project is providing training programs in radio-telemetry, use of global positioning systems, first-aid, wildlife management principles, training and use of hunting dogs, project planning and other related skills to Galapagos residents. Given this increased knowledge and training, the prospects for additional ecological restoration work in Galapagos will be high.

6. Who is running the Isabela Project?

The Isabela Project is a bi-institutional project jointly managed by the Galapagos National Park (GNP) and the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS). The GNP brings its team of field-savvy park wardens, its logistical know-how and financial support to the project, as well as being a critical link to the minister of the environment and the government of Ecuador. The CDRS's strengths lie in its ability to gather scientific and technological know how from around the world and adapt it to project needs. In addition, the CDRS, through its own expertise and through its network of worldwide fund raising partners, is able to seek out additional financing for the project.

Return to Index

..Top