Saving the endemic tree species Scalesia cordata (EN) from imminent extinction in Galapagos (Phase II)

Saving the endemic tree species Scalesia cordata (EN) from imminent extinction in Galapagos (Phase II)

Partner: Charles Darwin Foundation
Years: 2024-2027

Scalesia cordata (EN) is one of the 15 species of the Galapagos endemic genus Scalesia. It is restricted to Southern Isabela. The mission of the Charles Darwin Foundation and its Research Station is to tackle the greatest threats and challenges to Galapagos through scientific research and conservation action, in order to safeguard one of the world’s most important natural treasures. This project is about improving and continuing Charles Darwin Foundation’s restoration efforts to establish self-sustaining populations of S. cordata.

Scalesia cordata

This project is a continuation of a project that was initiated in 2021 with Fondation Franklinia funding.
At the onset, it was assumed that only about 300 trees of the endangered S. cordata were left in the wild. Intensive searches were carried out for S.cordata on foot, horses and boats over large areas of Southern Isabela, as well as with drone and remote sensing technologies.
This work resulted in the identification of at least 1,647 S. cordata trees in the field. In addition, the Galapagos National Park Directorate’s nursery was re-activated, and 980 seedlings were successfully produced and planted.
With this second phase, the Charles Darwin Foundation continues conservation work to assure that several healthy populations thrive in the field and will only require minimal human intervention to survive. In addition, the “Bosque de los Niños” (Garden of the Children) that once had a large S. cordata population and served as an education facility, will be restored to provide an inspiring place to the Isabela community to learn about the ecological importance and cultivation of S. cordata.