Border Crossings: New Geographies of Protection and Production in the Galápagos Islands

A shift in conservation management is emerging in the Galápagos Islands, challenging the long-standing 'fortress' model that separated natural and human spaces. This study reveals how ecological, political, and economic crises have transformed the Galápagos National Park (GNP) border from a fixed boundary of protection to a dynamic site of encounters. By applying insights from border studies and hybrid conservation approaches, researchers trace discursive and material exchanges across the GNP border, demonstrating its potential to reshape conservation theory and practice. The findings highlight borders as transformative spaces rather than mere technologies for spatial fixation, offering new geographies that integrate protection with production.

Valdivia, G., Wolford, W., & Lu, F. (2014). Border Crossings: New Geographies of Protection and Production in the Galápagos Islands. Annals of the Association of American Geographers, 104(3), 686–701. https://doi.org/10.1080/00045608.2014.892390