Journal article
Multiple Anthropogenic Stressors in the Galápagos Islands’ Complex Social-Ecological System: Interactions of marine pollution, fishing pressure and climate change with management recommendations
Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management, Vol.19(4), pp.870-895
2023
PMID: 35893578
Abstract
For decades, multiple anthropogenic stressors have threatened the Galápagos Islands. Widespread marine pollution such as oil spillage, persistent organic pollutants, metals and ocean plastic pollution has been linked to concerning changes in the ecophysiology and health of Galápagos species. Simultaneously, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing are reshaping the composition and structure of endemic and native Galápagos pelagic communities. In this novel review, we discuss the impact of anthropogenic pollutants and their associated ecotoxicological implications on Galápagos species in the face of climate change stressors. We stress the importance of considering fishing pressure and marine pollution, in combination with climate change impacts, when assessing the evolutionary fitness of species inhabiting the Galápagos. For example, the survival of endemic marine iguanas has been negatively impacted by organic hydrocarbons introduced via oil spills and endangered Galápagos sea lions exhibit detectable concentrations of DDT, triggering potential feminization effects, and compromising the species’ survival. During periods of ocean warming (El Niño events) when endemic species undergo nutritional stress, climate change may increase the vulnerability of these species to the impacts of pollutants, resulting in the species reaching its population tipping point. Marine plastics are emerging as a deleterious and widespread threat to endemic species. The Galápagos is treasured for its historical significance and its unparalleled living-laboratory and display of evolutionary processes; however, this unique and iconic paradise will remain in jeopardy until multidisciplinary and comprehensive preventative management plans are put in place to mitigate and eliminate the effects of anthropogenic stressors facing the islands today. We present a critical analysis and synthesis of anthropogenic stressors with some progress from local and international institutional efforts and call to action more precautionary measures along with new management philosophies focused on understanding the processes of change through research to champion the conservation of the Galápagos.
Details
- Title
- Multiple Anthropogenic Stressors in the Galápagos Islands’ Complex Social-Ecological System: Interactions of marine pollution, fishing pressure and climate change with management recommendations
- Authors
- Juan José Alava (Corresponding Author) - University of British ColumbiaKarly McMullen (Author) - University of British ColumbiaJen Jones (Author) - University of ExeterMaría José Barragán-Paladines (Author) - Charles Darwin FoundationCatherine Hobbs (Author) - University of ExeterAna Tirapé (Author) - Escuela Superior Politecnica del LitoralPaola Calle (Author) - Escuela Superior Politecnica del LitoralDaniela Alarcón (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringJuan-Pablo Muñoz-Pérez (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringLaia Muñoz-Abril (Author) - Universidad San Francisco de QuitoKathy Townsend (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringJudith Denkinger (Author) - Universidad San Francisco de QuitoMiguel Uyaguari (Author) - University of ManitobaGustavo A Domínguez (Author) - Escuela Superior Politecnica del LitoralEduardo Espinoza (Author) - Charles Darwin FoundationHarry Reyes (Author) - Galapagos National ParkPaolo Piedrahita (Author) - Escuela Superior Politecnica del LitoralPatricia Fair (Author) - Medical University of South CarolinaCeri Lewis (Author) - University of ExeterTamara Galloway (Author) - University of ExeterJohn Schofield (Author) - University of YorkJack Stein Grove (Author) - University of Pennsylvania
- Publication details
- Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management, Vol.19(4), pp.870-895
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
- DOI
- 10.1002/ieam.4661
- ISSN
- 1551-3793
- PMID
- 35893578
- Copyright note
- This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Alava, J.J., McMullen, K., Jones, J., Barragán-Paladines, M.J., Hobbs, C., Tirapé, A., Calle, P., Alarcón, D., Muñoz-Pérez, J.P., Muñoz-Abril, L., Townsend, K.A., Denkinger, J., Uyaguari, M., Domínguez, G.A., Espinoza, E., Reyes, H., Piedrahita, P., Fair, P., Galloway, T., Grove, J.S., Lewis, C. and Schofield, J. (2022), Multiple Anthropogenic Stressors in the Galápagos Islands’ Complex Social-Ecological System: Interactions of marine pollution, fishing pressure and climate change with management recommendations. Integr Environ Assess Manag. Accepted Author Manuscript. https://doi.org/10.1002/ieam.4661, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/ieam.4661. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99659497002621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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