The Scalesia Forests

One of the most interesting tree genus' on the Galapagos Island is the Scalesia genus. The forests that exist today look much like a stereotypical jungle with trees growing up to 15m (50ft) tall and large vines hanging from them. Interestingly, the trees are actually from the daisy family, basically giant daisy flowers. It's much easier to grasp if you think about it that way. Although they were far more prominent before human interaction, they do still exist on some of the island, but at a much smaller scale. According the Galapagos Report from 2009-2010, only about 1-2% of the old population exists today, with some areas only holding 0.1% of the original population. Like many other species, they are also unique only to the islands. The Scalesia forests were so prominent that they actually have an entire climate zone named after them.

A Scalesia Forest

Many factors have contributed to the intense decline of the population. The most influential factor is human interaction, but some invasive plants and animals have had an effect as well. Humans started clearing the forests in the early 20th century and by the 1990s, there were barely any full scale Scalesia forests left on any island. Most of the forests were cleared in order to create more land for agriculture and farming. This question of forest habitat or farmland for food is quite a tough one! In the southern part of Santa Cruz Island, there are zero Scalesia trees left, with the last one being cleared in the 1970s. Another major factor contributing to the deforestation is, believe it or not, ravaging goats. Who would have thought? These savage-like goats have literally grazed the forests until they trees can no longer survive. However strange, the goats have done some real damage on the trees and the animals who call those forests home. Fortunately, the goats were eradicated from Santiago Island, the uninhabited island which they were doing the most damage, in 2006. Another factor to the population decrease are invasive species, those being planted by farmers as well as those accidentally brought to the islands. On the populated islands, the forests' only chances of regeneration are by the hand of man, which has been done in a few instances. For example, there are a few small, two-acre, fenced plots where the trees are untouched and allowed to reach maturity so that they can hopefully spread again. The Charles Darwin Research Station is currently conducting experiments and studies in an effort to learn more about why and how this genus may be struggling, in addition to helping control the goat and invasive specie population. On the uninhabited islands, the eradication of the goats helped but it is really up to nature as to the future of the Scalesia forests.

The best area to view the forests is around Los Gemelos, two giant twin craters on Santa Cruz Island.

Los Gemelos

These craters, formed form a volcanic rock collapse, are home to the largest, most dense population of Scalesia trees and are also a sight to see themselves. I hope we get a chance to see them! Lastly, the forests are home to many species of birds, such as the famous Galapagos finches, as well as vermin and snakes that thrive in the Scalesia climate zone. The deforestation is indeed harmful to these species but they have had a much easier time adapting than the Scalesia trees have.

What do you think about the situation with the goats and the trees?

What would you do to stop the deforestation being done to create room for agriculture?

Do you think agriculture is more important than a few trees?


Sources

Galapagos Report 2009-2010

Galapagos Conservation Trust