Endangered World Heritage sites: The Galapagos Islands and Niokolo-Koba National Park

¶ … Heritage Sites in Danger

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization maintains a list of its own World Heritage Sites that are in particular danger at any given time. These sites may be cultural or biological; this essay will profile two such natural sites that deserve our immediate and urgent attention: The Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, and the Niokolo-Koba National Park in Senegal. In both cases, additional funding will help with desperately needed new protections. For each site, a summary of the unique diversity and biological inter-relationships will be provided. These assets will be followed by a discussion of the most pressing threats facing the areas, and then a description of why current protections are insufficient. Finally, a snapshot of the current status of the site will be offered.

Galapagos Islands

Since 1835, when Charles Darwin made the Galapagos Islands the focus of his ground-breaking research that ultimately led to his theory of evolution, this archipelago has been recognized as unique. The 19 islands that comprise the Galapagos are located approximately 1,000 meters off the coast of Ecuador. Only four of those islands are populated, but the rest host a steady stream of visitors. The Islands were initially added to UNESCO's list of Heritage Sites in 1978, and designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1984. Mounting threats moved the Galapgos to the Danger list in 2007.

Diversity & Biological Integrity

Marine animals thrive in this unique environment, created from volcanic activity that still has periods of high activity. The Galapagos are isolated from the mainland, which is part of the reason the site was such a productive research location for Darwin. An estimated 5,000 native species are supported there. Several species are found only there, including the land iguana, the giant tortoise, and several sub-species of finch. Since significant human settlements did not occur there until the 20th century, a vast web of biodiversity was able to thrive and prosper.

Existing Protections

The Galapagos Islands are internationally renowned and have attracted a great deal of attention by preservationists. The Charles Darwin Foundation and the Galapagos Conservation Trust are just two examples of organizations that serve to study and protect the unique biological diversity found there. These organizations, in conjunction with international conservation groups, have established a number of both expected and innovate measures designed to protect the biodiversity found there. For example, incentive programs began in 1997 and seek to generate cooperation from an array of stakeholders. These incentive programs include increased enforcement for protections already established in policy documents, and the development of a certification program to ensure sustainable harvesting of marine and fishery products (Novy, 2010).

Proposed New Protections

In an effort to minimize the introduction of new invasive species, UNESCO has partnered with the Food and Agriculture Organization, the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galapagos National Park. This collaboration will focus on improved community education, the development of a stronger inspection system for visitors, the eradication of existing invasive species, and, perhaps most importantly, the creation of a sustainable financing mechanism for long-term conservation.

Current Status

The isolation of the Islands has made it possible for the ecosystem to retain much of its original biodiversity despite pressures from tourism and invasive species. An estimated 97% of the Islands' native biodiversity is still in place today (Novy, 2010). However, the threats are mounting and without full deployment of new policies to guarantee ongoing protections, this number is sure to slip. Many international conservation organizations have made the Galapagos a focus of their work, not necessarily due to fear of immediate extinctions but more because of the immeasurable value of the biodiversity stock.

Niokolo-Koba National Park

Initially inscribed in 1981, the Niokolo-Koba National Park lies in eastern Senegal along the banks of the Gambia river. Troubled by civil strife, widespread commercial poaching, and ecological fragmentation, the Park was added to UNESCO's danger list in 2007.

Diversity & Biological Integrity

The Niokolo-Koba National Park is unparalleled in its rich diversity of fauna. The Park is situated in a riparian area that supports both fast gallery forests and extensive savannahs. Among the large mammals that populate the area are rare antelopes called Derby elands, chimpanzees, lions, leopards, and elephants. The Park also supports 330 species of bird, 38 reptile species and 20 amphibian species. Vegetation is lush and diverse, with an estimated 1,500 different plant species found there (UNEP). The River Gambia runs through the park. Average annual rainfall is 600-900mm in the Park, but these amounts have decreased dramatically in recent years, probably due to climate change.

Human Threats

Illegal poaching of wildlife is the most pressing danger facing this National Park. The decline in large mammals has been dramatic and leaves the entire ecosystem in a state of crisis. In 1990, there were an estimated 46,500 large animals in the Park; by 2006 there were only 900 left (UNEP). Chimpanzees in particular are threatened. The Niokolo-Koba National Park provides "the hottest, driest and most open chimpanzee habitat known," (UNEP) and the decline of these animals is particularly urgent.

Intense cattle grazing within the Park is a second major threat facing the Park. Most of the larger mammals in the Park were destroyed by 2006, likely the result of pressures faced by poachers and grazers. When the Park was established in the 20th century, thousands of traditional settlers were relocated to new lands outside of the Park. However, lasting resentments have made it difficult for Park officials to find cooperation among the indigenous groups that now live on the borders of the Park. Many of those groups continue to poach animals illegally and graze their domestic livestock without regard for Park conservation efforts.

Finally, another threat to the Park comes from a dam that is being planned for upstream. If the dam is built, experts fear that regular and seasonal flooding will stop; wildlife in the area depend on those natural weather patterns. The dam is favored by the Senegalese government, and it will be difficult to find a better source of new energy to serve the impoverished local population.

Existing Protections

Administered by the National Parks Directorate under the Ministry for the Environment and Protection of Nature, this Park, like many in the African continent, is a victim of under-funded state agencies who may try to protect it but lack the resources to do so. One of the most common methods used by Park rangers to help them keep a better eye on poachers is the use of fire. Clearing the forests increases their surveillance capacity but, at the same time, improves access for the very illegal users they are seeking to exclude. In 2006, a new public-private partnership was established with help from the Senegal government, the Dutch government, and outside donors.

Proposed New Protections

Ironically, increasing tourism may be the best thing that could happen for this Park. More tourists would mean a steady income flow and more international interest in the protection of the Park's unique biodiversity. Currently, there is one luxury hotel in the Park and a scattering of safari services. Developing tourism as well as a more regular scientific presence would help. Additionally, conservationists suggest increasing patrols to improve overall enforcement of existing laws, better boundary demarcation, and the development of stronger hunting quotas. All of these measures require significant and lasting funding.

Current Status

This Park is in a state of crisis. With most of its large mammals now extinct from the Park, and illegal users on the rise, Park Rangers are simply outmatched. Poachers can find a thriving market for illegal bushmeat and rare birds. Illegal loggers easily find buyers for rare trees. The Park is under-staffed and under-funded and soon to face new challenges if the upstream dam is built along the Gambia River as planned.

Conclusion

The Galapagos Islands and the Niokola-Koba National Park represent two of Planet Earth's most valuable treasures. They contain biodiversity that not only provides scientific opportunity but may support the health of the entire ecosystem in their respective regions. Both sites are listed as endangered, but as profiled here, for very different reasons. Despite the variation in threats facing these areas, a similar solution will help them both: increased international funding. This funding will be used for desperatately needed increased enforcement and protections.