Legal Model of Conservation in the Galápagos Islands: Replicable Lessons for Sustainability
Abstract
Purpose: To analyse, from a comparative perspective, the factors that determine the effectiveness of environmental conservation and enforcement mechanisms, as well as their application in the case of the Galápagos Archipelago.
Methodology/Approach: A comparative approach was used based on experiences from Asia, Europe, and Latin America, considering operational metrics, governance mechanisms, and enforcement systems.
Findings: Effective conservation is based on three pillars: zoning with effort limits, multilevel governance, and precautionary enforcement mechanisms with adaptive management. Social legitimacy, meaningful participation, and the use of operational metrics are key factors in closing the gap between regulations and outcomes. The Galápagos emerges as a robust model by integrating zoning, biosecurity, and the regulation of tourism and fisheries through transparency and public monitoring. Challenges persist related to dependence on tourism, pressure from invasive species, and asymmetries in enforcement.
Research Limitation/Implication: Structural challenges persist, related to dependence on tourism, pressure from invasive species, and asymmetries in enforcement.
Originality/Value of paper: The paper proposes adjustments aimed at standardising precautionary thresholds, strengthening open data and audits, diversifying funding sources, and consolidating local technical capacities.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Renato Daniel Basantes-Silva, Ana Lucia Machado-Asqui, Luis Antonio Zurita-Avalos, Roberto Carlos Vega-Bonilla, Nelson Xavier Paz-Viteri
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