Galápagos Verde 2050
Ecological Restoration on Plaza Sur
May, 2015
Introduction
“Galápagos Verde 2050” is a multi - institutional and interdisciplinary project that
actively contributes to the conservation of the natural capital of Galapagos as well as
the “good living” of its human population. The project uses Groasis Technology as a
tool to implement a successful model of sustainable agricultural production and
ecological restoration.
This project is implemented by the Charles Darwin Foundation with funding from
ComON Foundation and BESS Forest Club along with the support and collaboration of
the Galapagos National Park Directorate.
Based on the results of a pilot project that demonstrated that Groasis Technology
works efficiently in Galapagos´ weather and soil conditions, project implementation of
Galapagos Verde 2050 began in January 2014. This project will be developed in three
sequential phases: first between 2014 and 2017; second between 2017 and 2027, and
third from 2027 to 2050.
During the first phase it is anticipated that ecological restoration actions will be carried
out on Baltra Island in areas where ecosystems and priority sites such as the nesting
areas of land iguanas are located. On Santa Cruz Island, 1 hectare will be restored
between the Mirador and Garrapatero areas with Scalesia affinis, an endangered plant
species. On Floreana Island the Black Gravel Mine and the garbage dump will be
restored. On Plaza Sur the population of Opuntia echios var echios will be restored. As
for the implementation of actions for sustainable agriculture, work with collaborating
farmers will be carried out in Santa Cruz and Floreana Islands.
Plaza Sur background
Area: 13 hectares
Zonification: Absolute Protection Zone under the GNP Zoning System.
Distribution map of Opuntia echios var echios:
CHARLES DARWIN FOUNDATION, PO Box 17-1-3891, Quito, Ecuador
www.darwinfoundation.org
Galápagos Verde 2050: Plaza Sur
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 One of the most visited sites of the Galapagos Ecotourism Visit Site Network on
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protected areas with an average of 46000 visitors per year (GNPD, 2013).
There is a clear decrease in the population of cacti (Opuntia echios echios var.
echios), a species that plays an important part of the landscape and is the main
food source of the land iguana population (Conolophus subcristatus).
Since 1983 a population of an introduced house mice (Mus musculus) was
established and began to impact the flora, particularly the population of
Opuntia echios var. echios as mice ate its roots and trees started to fall.
In 1957 at the eastern end of the island there were 60 large cacti and now only
six survive, equivalent a loss of 90 percent. Similar losses are evident in the
western end of the island with cacti.
Between 1983 and 1993 mice were responsible for the deaths of at least two
thirds of the population of O. echios var echios.
Cladodes, fruits and flowers of Opuntia, are the preferred food of land iguanas,
which added to the impact of mice, have prevented the recruitment of young
Opuntias for at least 15 years.
Studies based on analysis of photographs taken at specific sites in South Plaza
from 1957 show a great loss to the island’s cacti. The studies suggest that this is
probably due to a combination of death from old age and the impact of the El
Niño 1982-83.
The mortality of Opuntia in the middle of the tourist area is somewhat lower, at
around 55%. Analyzing the context of the whole island, it is estimated that from
1957 to 2014 there has been a mortality of about 71%.
CHARLES DARWIN FOUNDATION, PO Box 17-1-3891, Quito, Ecuador
www.darwinfoundation.org
Galápagos Verde 2050: Plaza Sur
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The GNPD began the process of ecological restoration in South Plaza with the
eradication of mice introduced in 2013. However, a year later, despite the
absence of mice, no signs of regeneration of the population of O. echios var
echios was evident.
Ecological Restoration objectives:
1. Contribute to the ecological integrity conservation of South Plaza by
restoring the population of Opuntia echios var echios.
2. Reproduce sexually at least 600 plants of Opuntia echios var echios to
repatriate to South Plaza.
3. Begin the process of restoring the population of Opuntia echios var echios
in South Plaza using Groasis Technology.
4. Develop a protocol to be applied to the restoration of ecologically essential
and slow growing native and endemic species under natural conditions.
Implementation
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In May we will begin planting seedlings on South Plaza Island. This activity will
be the most important in the first phase as the biological results obtained from
plants planted with Groasis Technology serve for the development of a
protocol for the restoration of ecologically essential and slow growing native
and endemic species, under natural conditions
We will plant 48 individuals of Opuntia echios var echios (40 with Groasis
Technology and 8 without that will be the controls in order to compare the
efficiency of the technology.
All the plants will be protected with a metal mesh to avoid land iguanas eating
the plants.
Monitoring will be carried out in a monthly basis
For more information about the Restoration Action Plan for Plaza Sur and
Baltra
go
to
http://www.darwinfoundation.org/media/filer_public/2e/e5/2ee57e0e-18b2407b-b4c0-96bf9ba7f30a/action_plan_for_baltra_and_south_plaza_islands.pdf
Communication Strategies
Galápagos Verde 2050 is developing communication strategies in order to engage the
public with project objectives and raise funds to ensure financial sustainability of the
project in all its phases. So far have we prioritized the following:
CHARLES DARWIN FOUNDATION, PO Box 17-1-3891, Quito, Ecuador
www.darwinfoundation.org
Galápagos Verde 2050: Plaza Sur
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Galápagos Verde 2050 project section is frequently updated in the CDF
institutional websitePress released are frequently published: go to
http://eepurl.com/X-IFP
Through the social media CDF Facebook / CDF Twitter
Posters and informative signs in English and Spanish language of the objective
and implementation phases of the project exposed in the Baltra Airport and the
CDF campus.
Next steps
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Continue the ecological restoration of South Plaza Island.
Continue the restoration of the endangered species Scalesia affinis on Santa
Cruz.
Continue the ecological restoration on Baltra Island.
Continue the ecological restoration of Black Gravel Mine and the garbage dump
on Floreana.
Continue sustainable agriculture activities in Floreana.
How can you help us?
We need you to spread the word! As a naturalist, you are in contact with locals and
visitors from around the World. We would very much appreciate it if you can
communicate about Galápagos Verde 2050. At the shade house inside the CDF
campus, you will find the perfect place for interpretation and a board with project
updates.
Galápagos Verde 2050 is a mega project but we know we can count on you to work
together for a greener Galapagos 
If you need more information about the project, please contact us:
patricia.jaramillo@fcdarwin.org.ec / diana.toapanta@fcdarwin.org.ec
CHARLES DARWIN FOUNDATION, PO Box 17-1-3891, Quito, Ecuador
www.darwinfoundation.org