Galápagos Archipelago and Marine Reserve (100391)
Ecuador, South America

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, A1c, A1d, A1e, B1, B2, B3a, D1a, D1b

Year of last assessment: 2023

National site name: Archipiélago y Reserva Marina de Galápagos

Central coordinates: Latitude: 0.0270, Longitude: -90.6992

System: marine, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 0 to 1630

Area of KBA (km²): 146675.05427

Protected area coverage (%): 99.84

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: No

Site details

Site description: Galapagos is the most world famous volcanic archipelago in the Pacific. It is an Ecuadorian province located at 927 Km from the coast of Ecuador's mainland. This system of islands, still presenting volcanic activity. Currently, 22 volcanoes exists and, potentially, 13 or 15 are active. Practically, every Galapagos island is a volcano. However, Isabela Island originated from six volcanoes. Moreover, Wolf Volcano is the highest in the archipelago (1707 m of altitude). Five islands have been populated by humans, Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, Isabela, Floreana and Baltra. Also, around 138,000 km2 of the territorial waters surrounding the archipelago are protected. In this complex of islands and islets, flora an fauna evolved and adapted to each of these. Developing in tens of endemic flora and fauna unique of this region. These broad radiations of endemic plants, birds, reptiles and mammals occur throughout the archipelago with single-island endemics on Fernandina, Santiago, Genovesa, Floreana, Española and San Cristóbal. This as it is known all around the world, served as the core to Darwin's theory of evolution following his visit in 1835. All of this served as a tool to promote the conservation of the archipelago which is a world natural heritage recognized by UNESCO since 1978.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: Galapagos is a KBA thanks to its unique endemic, range restricted and threatened species. It means a total of 140 species. Darwin's finches with 17 species of these tanagers; five mockingbirds; two endemic Vermilion Flycatchers and, one endemic Buteo hawk. Additionally, Myiarchus flycatcher and Progne martin. In total, 35 endemic and threatened species of birds trigger this KBA under the following criteria: A1a; A1b; A1c; A1d and A1e. B1, B2. D1a and D1b. On regards of mammals, six (n=2) species trigger the KBA, two globally endangered otariidae, Zalophus wollebaeki (A1a, A1c, A1e and B1) and Arctocephalus galapagoensis (A1a, A1c, A1e; B1 and B2). Moreover, four endemic and vulnerable rodents under the same criteria (A1b, B1, B2): Nesoryzomys swarthi; Nesoryzomys narboroughi; Nesoryzomys fernandinae and Aegialomys galapagoensis. Another big group of the archipelago are the reptiles (all endemic), 46 species trigger the next KBA criteria: A1a; A1b; A1c; A1d and A1e. Plus, B1; B2 and B3a. Finally, 53 species of plants also meet the next thresholds of KBA criteria, A1a; A1b; A1e; B1, B2 and B3a.

Additional biodiversity: The different types of habitats, from Miconia scrublands to the Zanthoxylum and Scalesia forests. Including the routes of marine fauna like sharks and rays. Or the congregation of birds on nesting sites. The value of all the ecosystem functionality and species interactions and evolution or radiation make Galapagos unique.

Manageability of the site: Administrated by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition plus the cooperation of research institutions and conservation organizations, like: Charles Darwin Foundation, Conservando Galápagos and Jocotoco Foundation.

Supersedes another site: Tierras Altas de Isabela (14659); Tierras altas de Santiago (14660); Tierras altas de Santa Cruz (14661); Puerto Ayora (14662); Isla Floreana (14663); Champion y Gardner de Floreana (14664); Isla Española (14665); Isla San Cristóbal (14666); Humedales del Sur de Isabela (19127); Áreas costeras de Fernandina y del occidente de Isabela (19128)

Delineation rationale: The Galapagos KBA follows the official limits recognized by the government and the National Network of Protected Areas (SNAP, in spanish).

Habitats

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Shrubland	25	Shrubland – Subtropical/tropical dry
Artificial - Terrestrial	35	Coastal Caves/Karsts
Marine Deep Ocean Floor (Benthic and Demersal)	10	Abyssal Plain (4,000–6,000 m)
Forest		Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist montane
Marine Deep Ocean Floor (Benthic and Demersal)	100	Continental Slope/Bathyl Zone (200–4,000 m)
Marine Intertidal		Shingle and/or Pebble Shoreline and/or Beaches
Forest		Forest – Subtropical/tropical dry
Wetlands(Inland)	1	Wetlands (inland) – Karst and other subterranean hydrological systems (inland)
Marine Deep Ocean Floor (Benthic and Demersal)	10	Bathypelagic (1,000–4,000 m)
Wetlands(Inland)	0.1	Wetlands (inland) – Permanent saline, brackish or alkaline marshes/pools
Marine Deep Ocean Floor (Benthic and Demersal)	100	Abyssopelagic (4,000–6,000 m)

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Industrial overfishing and non controlled tourism. Introduced invasive alien feral species (e.g., domesticated animals, and invasive species of fauna and plants) plus introduced parasitic species (E.g., Philornis downsi).

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Human intrusions & disturbance	Recreational activities		Ongoing
Biological resource use	Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources	Intentional use: large scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest]	Ongoing
Natural system modifications	Other ecosystem modifications		Ongoing
Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases	Problematic native species/diseases	Named species	Ongoing
Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases	Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases	Named species	Ongoing
Residential & commercial development	Tourism & recreation areas		Ongoing
Residential & commercial development	Housing & urban areas		Ongoing
Biological resource use	Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources	Unintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest]	Ongoing
Pollution	Domestic & urban waste water	Sewage	Ongoing
Climate change & severe weather	Other impacts		Ongoing
Biological resource use	Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources	Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest]	Ongoing
Pollution	Industrial & military effluents	Oil spills	In the past but now suspended and likely to return
Agriculture & aquaculture	Livestock farming & ranching	Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming	Ongoing
Human intrusions & disturbance	Work & other activities		Ongoing
Transportation & service corridors	Shipping lanes		Ongoing
Biological resource use	Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources	Intentional use: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest]
Agriculture & aquaculture	Annual & perennial non-timber crops	Small-holder farming	Ongoing

Additional information