{"id":268,"date":"2020-08-05T11:51:56","date_gmt":"2020-08-05T15:51:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/bmosher1-fieldherp\/?p=268"},"modified":"2020-08-05T11:51:56","modified_gmt":"2020-08-05T15:51:56","slug":"the-resurrection-of-the-galapagos-walking-giant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/bmosher1-fieldherp\/2020\/08\/05\/the-resurrection-of-the-galapagos-walking-giant\/","title":{"rendered":"The resurrection of the Gal\u00e1pagos walking giant"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Ashley Novella<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Original photo taken by the author, Ashley Novella, on Isabella Island of the Gal\u00e1pagos (2017).<\/em> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When a species goes extinct, more is lost than the animals themselves. Their role in the ecosystem, whether it\u2019s spreading seeds or hunting herbivores, can have cascading effects on other species and the habitat itself. Reconciling the complex relationships maintained in an ecosystem requires extensive knowledge and serious predictive modeling. Dr. Elizabeth Hunter of Georgia Southern University has been researching a way to restore the ecosystem of the Floreana Island in the Gal\u00e1pagos. Her research aims to introduce a species of giant tortoise that is descendent from the extinct Floreana tortoise native to the island. This newfound species is believed to be hybridized, a crossbreed between a Floreana giant tortoise and another species inhabiting Isabella Island. By moving a subsection of the hybridized tortoise population to the Floreana Island, they can act as their extinct ancestors did, benefitting the whole ecosystem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Original photo taken by Dr. Elizabeth Hunter of the hybridized giant tortoises (2015).<\/em> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Working with researchers and local ecologists, Dr. Hunter developed pioneering modeling simulations that address conservation issues in a holistic manner. The discovery of the ancestrally linked tortoises on Isabella Island propelled this team of researchers to explore potential impacts of their introduction to Floreana across a variety of competing conservation goals. A goal of introducing the tortoises was to restore the ecosystem functions of their ancestors: spreading seeds and suppressing woody vegetation that could outcompete tree saplings and damage the ecosystem if left unchecked. While many conservation projects focus on a singular goal, Dr. Hunter saw the opportunity to press further, attempting to maximize the genetic representation of their extinct ancestors; in many ways, bringing back the extinct Floreana tortoise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Hunter\u2019s fascination with turtles\nbegan with her childhood pet, Toby the turtle. Observing Toby\u2019s daily routines\nintrigued her so much that in college she went to Costa Rica for a hands-on\nstudy abroad conservation program. Faced with constraints and realities of\nconservation programs, she became dedicated to finding ways to balance the\ndiversity of motivations behind conservation projects. Reflecting the\ncomplexity of ecosystems in the projects meant to mend them is a daunting task,\none that required combining her statistical experience with her love of\nconservation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Considering numerous factors, Dr.\nHunter created models to predict the affect of the giant tortoises on Floreana\nIsland. She had to ensure genetic diversity within the population to avoid\nharmful mutations that would damage their chances of survival. Yet, she is also\nattempting to maximize the representation of the ancestral DNA of the extinct\nnative Floreana giant tortoise. Luckily, because there were historically giant\ntortoises on the island, some factors such as competing with other animals for\nfood and habitat could be mitigated. Her modelling found a balance among these competing\nobjectives within a two-million-dollar budget, another goal of the research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n