Yearly Archives: 2019

A few months ago, we had the honor to receive the visit of Dr. Bernhard A. Huber; from the Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig. Then and now we agree with Dr. Huber; ” there is still so much to discover at the Royal Palm Galapagos…” In the last visit to our property, Dr Huber found a new type of Spider inside of our Lava Tunnel. This new breed of arachnids profoundly intrigued him, and he took samples to study back in the Lab.

“The spider is fascinating in several respects,” he has confirmed in the last communication we had received.  First, it is highly adapted to cave-life, which is most apparent by the total absence of eyes, but also by the pale coloration and the longer than usual legs. Second, it is an extremely small species. In fact, it is the smallest known representative of the spider family Pholcidae that currently contains some 1,700 described species. With a body length of 0.75 mm, it is close to the minimum for spiders. And third, it is a new species, i.e., new to science, or not yet scientifically described. It is a representative of the New World genus Metagonia that currently includes some 85 described species, two of them on Galapagos. Its name should thus be “Metagonia sp.n.”, but I hope to describe it next year (taxonomy moves slowly), and then it will have a complete name.

Unfortunately, Dr. Huber cannot tell us much about its biology. As usual, with little organic matter, its abundance in the caves seems to be very low. We found almost no other life in the cave, i.e., prey for these spiders appears to be extremely scarce too; this may be, in part, explain the low abundance. However, spiders, in general, are known to survive for a long time without food, and this is particularly true for cave spiders.

Caves are usually a very stable environment, and cave animals are adapted to that. From a conservationist point of view, it is thus most important to avoid changing this environment as much as possible; this means mainly avoiding light (except for short periods) and the introduction of organic matter. Both will attract organisms that do not belong in the cave, and that may displace the cave animals that are not adapted to these invaders.

If you genuinely enjoy discovering the wonders of nature, you must visit The Royal Palm Galapagos, part of the living laboratory of evolution. Many of the species of plants and animals, both on land and underwater, are like none others found on Earth. Come and Look at life differently.

Finally, don’t forget to visit The Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig website https://www.zfmk.de/en

More Space, More Privacy, and so much More Nature, only at the Royal Palm Galapagos.

This Subtropical Islands are favored by the Humboldt Current, which keeps the islands cool and rainless most of the year, a rare place where penguins and corals exist side by side. This cold Antarctic current brings rich nutrients, thus fish are abundant and it becomes a tropical paradise for the marvelous creatures of the sea. 

In the last years, the ocean waters have warmed rapidly, heating up as much as 2 degrees Celsius, or 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit, within months. The Galápagos are becoming warmer due to the earlier start of El Niño, Spanish for “the boy child,” a reference coined by Peruvian fisherman because the changes can occur around Christmas.

The Santa Cruz Island, the most populated island of the Galapagos, has 7 different microclimates or biological zones starting on the highest mountain peaks and finishing down on the coast. The highest point in Santa Cruz is Mt. Crocker which sits 870 m / 2854 ft above sea level. 

These ecological communities are naturally defined by the complex weather characteristics of Santa Cruz and are readily distinguished by their flora. The wind, the rain, the sun plus the different elevations determine the type of vegetation that will grow at each altitude.

The Royal Palm extends from the Pampa zone, passing through the Miconia Zone, Brown Zone and onto the Scalesia Zone. As the Galapagos Islands enjoys a Sub Tropical Climate, the weather is changeable around the ends of each season.

From December to June, we enjoy a warm and wetter season; the water and air temperatures are warmer and the seas are calmer. Hot sun and tropical rain showers are expected. 

From July to November, a cooler & dry feeling is expected. Strong winds make the water cooler and rougher. The Garua, a cool and moist mist forms up in the Highlands. The Miconia Highland forests are kept green and lush, while the sea-level and shorelines have less rain, the weather can change abruptly, be prepared!

“The Galápagos marine system is analogous to a roller coaster,” said Jon D. Witman, a professor of biology at Brown University who studies coral ecosystems in the Galápagos, noting that the spikes of hot temperatures were followed by spells of falling temperatures, known as La Niña.

The problem with global warming, Dr. Witman said, is that the baseline from which these swings occur is rising as the ocean temperatures do. This, as the intensity and frequency of El Niño, is increasing.

Reference: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/12/18/climate/galapagos-islands-ocean-warming.html

The Royal Palm Galapagos family are custodians of one of the last remaining natural island eco-systems in the world. Every day we strive to operate in a more sustainable way to bring you the maximum in comfort, with the least impact on our environment.

We try to use our own natural resources as much as possible by using food which grows in our property including grapefruit, lemons, bananas, limes, avocados, celery, carrot, broccoli, spinach, tomato, chive, cilantro, and more.

Although the Islands are surrounded by water, freshwater is scarce and there is no piped-water supply to the highlands. To reduce our reliance on desalinated water generated by diesel fuel, we have our own rainwater reservoir with filters and storage which greatly reduces our reliance on deliveries of freshwater by road.

One of our most popular programs is the reforestation project or “Plant-a-Tree program” here on the estate which is one of the few places where the rare Miconia plant thrives. Guests are invited to clear a small patch of ground, prepare the soil and plant a young tree of an endemic species on the Royal Palm Estate. In return, we will make a plaque with your choice of wording which you can locate by your tree.

Social responsibility is not just about the land and environment; supporting the local community is a powerful way of ensuring the future protection of the Galapagos.

As these islands move toward a sustainable society, Royal Palm has invested in improving a local school in the nearby small rural town of Santa Rosa; has supported the development of a gastronomy elective at the main high school, held fundraising events for local projects and encouraged arts and culture through our Artist-in-Residence project.

We are very aware of the responsibility we have to contribute to keeping this pristine paradise safe and to help build a sustainable future with the people who call these Islands “home.”