Perceptions of the Effects of Livestock Farming on Biodiversity: Insights from a Study in the Galápagos Islands

Livestock farming is a key socioeconomic activity on Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos (Ecuador); however, its development within a fragile ecological context poses significant challenges for biodiversity conservation. This study analyzes the perceptions of livestock producers regarding the effects of livestock production on key components of biodiversity on Santa Cruz Island. It also examines the relationship between these perceptions and sociodemographic and productive variables, while identifying mitigation strategies from the perspective of local stakeholders. A structured survey was conducted with 92 producers, covering sociodemographic profiles, environmental perceptions, perceived effects on soil, water, and fauna, as well as mitigation strategies. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression were used to examine relationships between production characteristics and perceived impacts. The results indicate that producers primarily associate biodiversity decline with livestock expansion, intensification, and land-use change driven by deforestation. Producers with greater experience more frequently reported changes in native species, with significant associations between these perceptions and reported effects on water quality and soil degradation. Nevertheless, some cumulative environmental effects were inconsistently recognized, highlighting gaps in the understanding of island ecological dynamics. Regarding mitigation, 80% of respondents supported subsidies for sustainable practices, and 60% expressed willingness to receive training; in contrast, the implementation of these strategies could be limited by technical, economic, and institutional constraints. Overall, the results reflect heterogeneous perceptions of livestock-related impacts, highlighting the importance of incorporating local knowledge into the design of management strategies, while not replacing the need for direct ecological assessments.