biopreservation.html

Research; Mission 2008; Las tortugas, team 2;
Current (Galapagos + Ecuador); Sources and thought s

Agriculture; ( from CDRS report)
The main problem lies in low production, which creates an increased need for continental importations, which in turn incidentally contribute to the introduction of exotic species and diseases. The causes of these problems include;

the absence of technical assistance,
the lack of respect for the worth and fragility of the natural resources,
the inefficient and short-term management,
and the weak organization and scattering of the farmers.

The principle effects are the continuation of a “vicious agricultural cycle” with consequences including poverty, lost knowledge of the importance of agriculture, low estimates of economic growth in the rural sector, and downward growth of island self-sufficiency.

Activities in Progress by Sustainable Agricultural Outreach Program

[Project Coordinator: Raul Ehlers Project Team: Rita Leon, Stalin Barre Funding Agency: Ecuadorian-Canadian Development Fund]

1. Better production based in ecologically sustainable agricultural technologies. Activities: • Water issues: Galapagos farmers use water high in salinity, which causes major damages to the soil and the produce cultivated. The CDRS is experimenting with specific chemicals to add to the brackish water currently used by the farmers as a test project. Treated water is provided to farmers, which hopefully will improve the quality of cultivation • Implement model farms in Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, and Isabela: these three farms have been implemented; growing supplies have been purchased; and demonstrative nurseries have been developed. Farmers can visit these farms to learn more sustainable growing techniques and some have the opportunity to work on the farms. • Complete a campaign and monitoring program for plagues: working with the education department and SICGAL (System of Quarantine), an awareness program has been created. Farmers are motivated to provide samples of invasive insects in their crops to the Station for monitoring and research to find eradication or control methods. Station staff members continuously provide samples to the entomology department for study. Most farmers do not use chemicals in their crops. In certain cases, where plagues are devastating, farmers are encouraged to use chemicals for short periods of time to combat the plagues, and then work to maintain biological control through organic farming. • Providing ongoing technical assistance and training: Monthly courses are held for farmers to learn techniques for better quality crops, rehabilitation of poorly treated land, education in farm and plague management. Themes of courses follow along with the seasons. For example, during watermelon season, the focus is on sustainable cultivation of watermelon, how to use the water and soil efficiently, etc. The Station provides materials, including seeds, to farmers in order to show possible differences and improvements. 2. Functioning systems and channels of collective commercialization. Activities: • Design and implement a market system: staff has monitored the local markets to develop strategies for better marketing by the local farmers. One issue is that the farmers all grow the same crops, often growing too much of one crop and not enough of another. The result is crops that cannot be sold, as the market has already been filled. The Station works to teach marketing strategies to the farmers, and provide suggestions for types of produce that will likely be successful in the market. • Create partnerships between the agricultural sector and tourism sector: if the agricultural sector is able to provide for the needs of the tourism sector (mainly boats that carry passengers), there will be less need for produce to be brought from the continent (lessening the number of possible introductions of species) and it will offer better economic opportunities to the agricultural sector by removing outside competition. Cooperations are currently being developed, and so far a number of the smaller tourist operators are purchasing their produce needs from Galapagos farmers.
Expected Results: This project combines agricultural and conservationist sectors that historically have had tensions in Galapagos. It attempts to change the intensity and negativity of human impact upon the ecosystems in order to protect this world heritage site. The expected results during the life of the project are: • Improved production based in ecologically sustainable agricultural technologies • Functioning systems and channels of collective commercialization • Strengthened and efficient farmers’ organizations. The long-term result is to have created sufficient conditions for the farmers of Galapagos to satisfy the local and tourism demand for fresh products (self sufficiency of the islands and decrease in imported produce, plagues, and invasive species).

From UNESCO...[MAB];
Biosphere reserves in a nutshell; 3 interrelated zones- Core area, buffer zone, and transition area.

The core area needs to be legally established and give long-term protection to the landscapes, ecosystems and species it contains. It should be sufficiently large to meet these conservation objectives. As nature is rarely uniform and as historical land-use constraints exist in many parts of the world, there may be several core areas in a single biosphere reserve to ensure a representative coverage of the mosaic of ecological systems. Normally, the core area is not subject to human activity, except research and monitoring and, as the case may be, to traditional extractive uses by local communities.

A buffer zone (or zones) which is clearly delineated and which surrounds or is contiguous to the core area. Activities are organized here so that they do not hinder the conservation objectives of the core area but rather help to protect it, hence the idea of "buffering". It can be an area for experimental research, for example to discover ways to manage natural vegetation, croplands, forests, fisheries, to enhance high quality production while conserving natural processes and biodiversity, including soil resources, to the maximum extent possible. In a similar manner, experiments can be carried out in the buffer zone to explore how to rehabilitate degraded areas. It may accommodate education, training, tourism and recreation facilities.

An outer transition area, or area of co-operation extending outwards, which may contain a variety of agricultural activities, human settlements and other uses. It is here that the local communities, conservation agencies, scientists, civil associations, cultural groups, private enterprises and other stakeholders must agree to work together to manage and sustainably develop the area's resources for the benefit of the people who live there. Given the role that biosphere reserves should play in promoting the sustainable management of the natural resources of the region in which they lie, the transition area is of great economic and social significance for regional development. This zonation is applied in many different ways in the real world to accommodate geographical conditions, socio-cultural settings, available legal protection measures and local constraints. This flexibility can be used creatively and is one of the strongest points of the biosphere reserve concept.Some countries have enacted legislation specifically to establish biosphere reserves. However, in many cases, advantage is taken of the existence of areas already protected under national law to establish biosphere reserves.

Ownership arrangements may vary too. The core areas of biosphere reserves are mostly public lands, but may also be privately owned or belong to non-governmental organizations. In many cases, the buffer zone is in community or private ownership, and this is generally the case for the transition area.

ARCHIPIELÁGO DE COLON (GALÁPAGOS)
[UNESCO...MAB]

General Description		The Archipiélago de Colón –(Galápagos) Biosphere Reserve (also a National Park and a World Heritage site), is situated in the east Pacific Ocean, 1,000 km from the mainland of Ecuador, with the equator running through the Wolf and Ecuador volcanoes on Isabella Island. Situated on the Galapagos Submarine Platform, the Galapagos Islands consist of 13 islands. These islands were formed 4 million years ago by volcanic processes and most represent the summit of a volcano, some of which rise over 3,000 meters from the Pacific Ocean floor. The larger islands typically comprise one or more gently sloping shield volcanoes, culminating in craters or calderas and the terrain are generally composed of uplifted marine lava flows. More than 250 species are non-native introductions occurring predominantly around human settlements. Coastal vegetation, influenced by the presence of salt, occurs along beaches, salt-water lagoons and low, broken, boulder-strewn shores. The endemic fauna includes invertebrate, reptile and bird species. There are a few indigenous mammals. All the reptiles are endemic, except two marine tortoises, and include giant tortoise (Geochelone elephantopus) , terrestrial iguanas (Conolophus subcristatus and C. pallidus), and marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus). The 1999 resident population numbered some 15,600 persons. Freshwater is a critically limiting factor, and only San Cristobal has adequate perennial supplies for the local human population. Tourism, cattle grazing and fishing are key components of the islands' economy. Immigration from the mainland is uncontrolled and increasing. Approximately 49,000 foreign and 14,000 national tourists visited the islands in 1997. The Government of Ecuador, IUCN and UNESCO - WCH, support the Charles Darwin Research Station jointly and work in programmes, which assist in the management of the reserve.
Major ecosystem type		Tropical humid forests / Marine archipelago
Major habitats & land cover types		Littoral zone; arid habitats; Scalesia forest composed of S. pedunculata, S. microcephala and S. cordata; Miconia communities with M. robinsoniana; Matazarno forest with Piscidia carthagenensis; fern- and sedge communities; marine habitats; agroecosystems with coffee, tomato, pepper, fruit etc.; pasture land.
Location		North: Darwin Island: 01°39'N; 92°00'W South: Floreana Island: 01°17'S; 90°26'W East: San Cristóbal Island: 00°48'S; 89°25'W West: Fernandina Island: 00°22'S; 91°31'W
Area (hectares)
Total		14,761,844
Core area(s)		65,040
Buffer zone(s)		696,804 (defined as primitive-, special use- and visitor use zone)
Transition area(s) when given		14,000,000 (marine reserve zone)
Altitude (metres above sea level)		0 to +1,707
Year designated		1984
Administrative authorities		Parque Nacional Galápagos
Research and Monitoring
Brief description		Geology and meteorology Galapagos giant tortoise (Geochelone elephantopus) breeding and raising in captivity Galapagos land iguana (Conolophus subcristatus) breeding in captivity Dark-rumped petrel (Pterodroma phaeopygia) conservation Eradication and control of introduced organisms Restoration of plant communities
*Specific variables...*
Abiotic		Geology, meteorology.
Biodiversity		Birds, breeding/reproduction, community studies/communities, conservation, plants, reintroduction, reptiles, restoration/rehabilitation/redevelopment.

Related links
World Heritage Site:		Galapagos Islands Check this out!! Gives a good summary... Biosphere Reserve in focus (February 2001)

Zoning of the national park and visitor sites

Extensive Use Zone: 11 visitor sites on 7 islands, for groups of up to 16 visitors, one group at a time (these sites are used by smaller vessels)
Intensive Use Zone: 21 visitor sites on 15 islands; for use by a larger number of groups at a time (these are used by large, medium-sized, and smaller vessels)
Recreational Zone: 19 sites on 4 inhabited islands; for use by local residents and visitors seeking less expensive alternatives for recreation, education, hiking, and camping (newly introduced with the 1996 Management Plan)
A total of 53 terrestrial visitor sites, representing less than 1% of the National Park area
54 sites shown on figure (figure not clear so didn't paste)

Marine reserve issues;

Zoning of the marine reserve for tourism and visitor sites

64 Marine visitor sites have been designated
Most are Extensive Use (groups of up to 16 persons, one group at a time)
A few are Intensive Use
Most are for diving, a few for diving and snorkelling, and a few others for small launch rides
The National Park’s jurisdictional and legal control is still weak
The National Park is in early stages of defining management for these sites and activities

Summary of main aspects of management plan:

Main principles for management: participation, adaptive and precautionary management;

Defines human uses;

Administration of marine reserves: defines responsibilities;

Considers a zoning system;

Establishes regulations; and

Describes programs for management and administration

Main stakeholders involved:

Fishing sector
Tourism Sector
Naturalist Guides
Charles Darwin Research Station staff
Galapagos National Park Service staff

---Issues raised to IMO are dealt with by Legal Committee which meets twice a year. [Usually around April/May and October]; When can we do this?

Addressing waste management issues;