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Trajectories of farming systems reshape land use/land cover dynamics in the agricultural zones of the Galapagos Islands

Abstract:

CONTEXT: Understanding land use and land cover (LULC) dynamics is essential for food security and biodiversity conservation, particularly in fragile island ecosystems like the Galapagos. In the highland agricultural zones, these dynamics result from complex socio-ecological interactions involving farming practices, labor structures, and ecological pressures such as invasive species. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates how farming system trajectories influence LULC changes in the Galapagos agricultural zones, aiming to identify key trends and socio-economic drivers shaping land transformations and their implications for sustainability. METHODS: We applied an integrated approach that combines remote sensing-based LULC classification (2018–2024) with multivariate analysis of farm census data (2000, 2014, 2022). Spatial analysis quantified land cover changes, while shifts in farming systems were assessed using ordination and clustering techniques. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Findings reveal that approximately 41 % of the agricultural land remains under productive use (perennial crops, annual crops, and pastures), with Santa Cruz and Isabela surpassing 50 %. Between 2018 and 2024, perennial crops declined by 33 %, while annual crops expanded by 92 %, reflecting a shift towards crop specialization and an increase in diversified mixed systems. Key drivers of these transitions include rising female labor participation (from 2 % to 20 %), household gender roles, crop diversity, market orientation, and association membership. However, land abandonment persists at 16 %, and invasive species, particularly in Santa Cruz, continue to threaten agroecosystem resilience. It is important to note that, while the census data mainly reflect productive farms, the remote sensing analysis encompasses the entire agricultural zones, including abandoned and marginal parcels. This difference in scope explains some discrepancies between both approaches and underscores their complementary value. SIGNIFICANCE: This study underscores the value of integrating remote sensing and socio-economic data to monitor land use transitions, inform adaptive and sustainable land management policies, enhance invasive species control, and support both food sovereignty and biodiversity conservation in fragile island ecosystems like Galapagos.