Drivers, Opportunities, and Challenges for Integrated Resource Co-management and Sustainable Development in Galapagos

Abstract

The Galapagos archipelago represents an insular system with finite natural resources, a growing population, and an economy heavily weighted on tourism that leaves it vulnerable to shocks, such as the Covid-19 crisis. This work proposes an alternative scenario developed through creating intersections between water-energy-food (WEF) nexus and adaptive co-management (ACM) approaches to resource management. This framework allows the identification of novel synergies that are applied to the analysis of Galapagos as case study. Within this approach, qualitative analysis is applied to data collected via a set of interviews with local stakeholders (including community, business, third sector, and government actors) to evaluate (i) how a deeper understanding of community perceptions and needs can help to identify pathways toward more sustainable development in line with conservation goals, (ii) what governance frameworks should be implemented to promote community-based resource management and resilience, and (iii) what role education and capacitation can play in supporting alternative forms of economic activity. The research suggests that the implementation of an integrated WEF-ACM framework for resource management in Galapagos could promote resilience by opening a space for deliberation and conflict resolution between legitimate stakeholders, thus supporting more effective and balanced participative governance. The current Covid-19 crisis has led to the emergence of alternative forms of community collaboration that demonstrate the potential for a more economically diverse and more sustainable future. By placing different sources of knowledge on a level platform in such a framework, greater community ownership of resource management and conservation goals could be achieved. The incorporation of an ACM approach within the management of WEF resources would also allow Galapagueños to determine their own vision of a future sustainable socio-ecosystem, based on optimising system outcomes by co-identifying the trade-offs and synergies between the interrelated resource sectors, but requires a transformation in institutional culture.

Artificial intelligence in environmental conservation: evaluating cyber risks and opportunities for sustainable practices

“…The research highlights the crucial role of managing the world's water supplies sustainably, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions to complex, multi-scale problems in water resource management. Garcia Ferrari, Bain, and Crane De Narváez (2021) propose an alternative scenario for sustainable development in the Galapagos through the integration of water-energy-food (WEF) nexus and adaptive co-management (ACM) approaches. The study evaluates how a deeper understanding of community perceptions and needs can identify pathways toward sustainable development aligned with conservation goals.…”

“…These studies collectively underscore the evolution of AI-driven sustainable resource management, showcasing AI's potential to revolutionize practices across various domains. Sova et al (2023) provide a foundational perspective on the impact of AI on sustainable HRM, while Chen and Fu (2023) and Garcia Ferrari, Bain, and Crane De Narváez (2021) extend the discussion to water resource sustainability and integrated resource co-management, respectively. Together, these works highlight the transformative impact of AI on sustainable resource management, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches and interdisciplinary collaboration to harness AI's full potential in addressing ecological challenges.…”

Review of One Health in the Galápagos Islands (Part 2): Climate Change, Anthropogenic Activities, and Socioeconomic Sustainability

“…Fortunately, recent developments in management have incorporated more balance between conservation and development, recognizing the need to stimulate local discussions for the development of sustainable socioeconomic practices (González et al, 2008;Garcia Ferrari et al, 2021). The founding of the Agency for the Regulation and Control of Biosecurity and Quarantine for Galápagos (ABG) in 2012 was instrumental in centralizing management power and building local resources for preventing and controlling biological threats.…”

“…ABG laboratories and scientists are thus able to focus on studying threats immediately pertinent to the region In 2022, the CDF expanded their program of travelling libraries to enhance information access within schools, and high-speed internet connectivity reached the archipelago later that year. Investing in local infrastructure and encouraging buy-in from local stakeholders are critical steps in developing resilience across sectors and building a shared vision for the future (González et al, 2008;Garcia Ferrari et al, 2021;Burbano et al, 2022). Incorporating community perspectives has been shown to improve both ecological and social outcomes of protected areas (Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, 2023).…”

Adaptation strategies for people: mitigating climate-change-related risks in low-income and informal urban communities through co-production

“…Within this alternative approach, the co-production of risk management can be achieved through the implementation of a 'dialogue of knowledges' between diverse stakeholders in a specific territory, by creating a space for knowledge exchange and conflict resolution to allow negotiated agreements and solutions to be reached (e.g., Garcia Ferrari et al 2021, Smith et al 2020a, 2020b. This dialogue entails placing local knowledge on a level platform with technical and scientific knowledge, allowing actors such as community representatives, government institutions, NGOs, the private sector, and academia to collaborate and co-design strategies for risk management that are culturally and technically appropriate and accepted, and therefore sustainable.…”