About This Project

The Galápagos Archipelago, a vital marine mammal conservation area, faces increasing threats from climate change and human activities. Despite its protected status, limited knowledge of cetacean populations hampers effective conservation. This project combines passive acoustic monitoring with community-driven citizen science to document critical habitats. The data will help assess environmental and human impacts on cetaceans, providing key insights for monitoring Marine Protected Areas.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

The Galapagos is home to at least 23 species of cetaceans, but we still know very little about their underwater soundscape and acoustics behaviors. There is a lack of data on, habitat use and vocal patterns, which are crucial for understanding the role of these species as sentinels of ecosystems (Palacios & Cantor, 2023).On top of that, climate variability and human impacts, complicate the study of these species (Alava et al., 2023).

Research on cetaceans in the Galápagos has been sporadic (Alarcón et al., 2023).Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM), which has significantly advanced cetacean research (Mellinger et al., 2007), could provide a better understanding of their vocalizations, and habitat use. This project combines PAM with citizen science to fill knowledge gaps and improve conservation strategies in the region.

What is the significance of this project?

The Galápagos Archipelago, a critical conservation hotspot for marine mammals in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, faces growing threats from climate change, habitat shifts, and human impacts. Despite ongoing conservation efforts, limited knowledge about cetacean populations hinders effective protection in the existing marine reserves. Without a comprehensive understanding of these species, conservation measures cannot be fully optimized.

Established in 2017, the Cetacea Galápagos Program has focused on monitoring cetacean distribution, however, lacks standardized acoustic and citizen science data. Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) provides a non-invasive method to track cetacean movements and assess human impacts. By combining PAM with citizen science, the project enhances data quality and empowers local stakeholders, bolstering conservation efforts. This research will inform policy decisions, offering a scalable model for global marine conservation.

What are the goals of the project?

This project aims to advance the understanding and conservation of cetacean populations in the Galápagos Marine Reserve (GMR). Through a combination of passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) and citizen science, we will document cetacean vocalizations, movements, and important habitats. Passive acoustic monitors/recorders will be deployed in two strategic points of the Archipelago to capture species-specific vocal behaviors and seasonal movements. Citizen science efforts will involve engaging local communities, students, and trained guides in data collection through sightings, photographs, and field observations. The data will help identify critical habitats, establish a baseline soundscape at two key sites, and develop conservation recommendations. Findings will inform cetacean management in the GMR and improve MPA monitoring. By integrating technology with community engagement, this project will strengthen cetacean conservation and support resilience at the Galápagos.