Ecological Impacts Part 1 Flashcards
Advancement of wildlife tourism is underpinned by its ___ base.
sustainable
Wildlife ecotourism is a type of __ tourism. It full fills ____ and ___ needs while maintaining ___,____,_____ and ____.
- niche (overlaps into other areas)
- economic
- social
- cultural integrity
- essential ecological processes
- biological diversity
- life support systems
The tourism life cycle concept revolves around what premise?
- the premise that unless intervention occurs, tourist destination areas and resources will inevitably become over used and consequently decline.
What are the six main stages of the tourism cycle?
- Exploration: few tourists, poor access and facilities, environment unchanged
- Investment: local initiatives, some promotion, increasing numbers
- Development: many tourists, locals lose control, deterioration of environment
- Consideration: tourist numbers exceed local residents all major chains represented
- Stagnation: numbers peak, destination falls out of fashion, environmental and social problems are present.
- Decline or rejuvenation: or states in between.
We have to understand the impacts caused by whom?
tourists
Impacts by tourists can be classified as one of what four things?
- Economic
- Social
- Environmental
- Positive or negative
L> focus here is on ecological impacts
Nothing is more important than what when doing wildlife tourism?
ensuring that wildlife is not impacted adversely by tourism
What are four important things needed for achieving the goal of reducing negative ecological impact?
- appropriate policies
- planning
- management
L> all of which maximize symbiotic relationship between wildlife and tourism and minimizes any deleterious impacts by tourism.
Impacts on ecology vary according to?
- differing attitudes of tourists
Impact on ecology is greatly influenced by tour operators and guides via??
- shaping views on visitors
- lessen tourists disruptions
- reduce possibility go negative traits.
Do species vary in the degree of tolerance to human intrusion?
YES
Other than tolerance what also plays an important role in impact disturbance in regards to the species?
- previous experience by animals also plays a part in species disturbance
Aside from past experience and degree of tolerance what is the final factor in regards to the impact human intrusion will have?
- Life history:
1.longevity (longer its been around the more it relies on past experiences)
2. degree of parental care
3. reproductive effort. (long migrations, fighting for mates…tourism can disrupt this)
Solution?? create a buffer zone
Who are the most tolerable to human disturbances?
- young animals…mammals in particular!
What are six factors that determine the tolerance level of an animal?
- Age dependent
- Breeding season
- Time of the year
- Habitat type
- Generalist or specialist
- Social or solidarity
Generalist vs specialist?
- Generalist: organism with a wide range diet
- Specialist: organism with a highly specialized diet! ex: pandas—only bamboo
Social vs solidarity?
- social: herds…safer in numbers….
- solidarity: disrupted more by tourists…no comfort form numbers
Case Study: The impact and Management of Wildlife Tourism on the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador:
- This is where ___ originated
- wildlife tourism
Case Study: The impact and Management of Wildlife Tourism on the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador:
- One of the most unusual and precious ___ is here.
ecosystems
Case Study: The impact and Management of Wildlife Tourism on the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador:
- pros of this area?
- management, well trained guides, well regulated tourism industry
Case Study: The impact and Management of Wildlife Tourism on the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador:
- complex problems?? (4)
- new immigrants: surrounding areas are poor so some see it as an opportunity to aid their financial probs
- introduced species **
- illegal fishing…sharks
- conflicts b/w town people and park people
Case Study: The impact and Management of Wildlife Tourism on the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador:
- in terms of money raised how does it compare to other areas?
- top in the world
Case Study: The impact and Management of Wildlife Tourism on the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador:
- All tourists must be accompanied by?
- guides/ guards
Case Study: The impact and Management of Wildlife Tourism on the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador:
- many sites have/do not have limits to tourists
DO
Case Study: The impact and Management of Wildlife Tourism on the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador:
- Tourists have to stay on___, no ___ or ___, no ___ onto islands, no___, do not disturb ___, all shoes must be ____.
- paths
- touch
- take
-food
-litter - the animals
- washed prior to moving to another island.
L> so foreign plants embedded on shows cannot be introduced to the ecosystem.
L> IF NOT invasive species would overrun the island.
Tourism is often used to provide rationale to ?
preserve natural areas
Wildlife tourism is important to developing countries such as? (3)
- Kenya
- Rwanda
- Tanzania
Kenya has national ___ for ecotourism.
guidelines.
L> tourists pay tax that goes into trust fund as does they at tax
In Kenya there are over _______ tourists a year making it the?
700,000…leading industry
Does ecotourism have one of the most unclear definition in travel industry world wide?
YES
- Its definition varies widely depending on the founding principles and the modus operandi of the respective organization. Over time, this variance has led to confusion and frustrations in understanding and applying ecotourism principles.
L> its a way not a type!
Kenya:
- One male lion living to age 7 is worth what?
- What about dead for its skin?
- What about just to hunt?
- annually all are worth?
- $515,000
- $1000
- $8500 ( most of this money goes offshore to some company)
- $30 million
Kenya:
- Each elephant is worth how much per year living?
- how much is an elephant worth over 60 years of age?
$20,000
1.2 million
Kenya:
- what is the purpose of showing the value of animals alive vs dead/hunted?
- it gives the host community a new perspective by showing the difference in value
L> alive is worth more
Rwanda:
- Tourism is responsible for what?
- saving the mountain gorillas from poaching and habitat loss
- Diane Fossey (1985)
Rwanda:
- one reserve for the mountain gorillas contains __/320 remaining gorillas.
150
Rwanda:
- How much money does tourism bring in each year? Locals do what?
4 million
- locals protect the gorillas
Rwanda:
- what is needed for this tourism to be developed properly?
- political stability for it to be developed properly
Rwanda:
- what is a particular risk to tourists?
- rebels going after them
- also primate species can infect between species
Bahamas:
- How much is a dead shark worth?
- How much is one reef shark worth over its life time if kept alive?
- $50-60
- $ 250, 000
Bahamas:
- fishers can no longer do what?
- they can no longer fish sharks commercially…also recreational fishing is frowned upon…people can no longer bring a dead shark into a marina.
Negative effects of wildlife tourism can be grouped into three main categories what are they?
- Disruption of activity
- Direct killing or injury
- Habitat alteration
Negative Effects: Disruption of activity:
- Animal response varies greatly between?
species
L>some animals flee, the distance will vary while some remain, others go through psychological changes such as an increased heart rate.
Negative Effects: Disruption of activity:
- Three examples of behavioural responses?
- avoidance
- habituation
- attraction
Negative Effects: Disruption of activity:
- is habituation always good?
NO
L> it does not necessarily mean a good thing…it can be force habituation not acceptance.
Negative Effects: Disruption of activity:
-A little stress may not harm animals but some are?
more vulnerable than others
Negative Effects: Disruption of activity:
- What are some factors that may determine the extent tow which a animal is likely affected via stress?
- size of group
- where animals are located
- conspicuousness
- size of animal
- previous contact
- means of transport
- type of habitat
- type of activity
Negative Effects: Disruption of activity:
- What are the three critical times when disturbances may be damaging to the wildlife?
- Foraging (searching for wild food sources)
- Nesting and caring for young
- Resting
* *blocking path = bad
Negative Effects: Disruption of activity:
L> Effects of light
- who are especially affected by this?
- Nocturnal species are impacted greatly by light….it affects night vision increasing risk of injury or predation.
Negative Effects: Disruption of activity:
L> Effects of light
- All mammals seem to respond?
- the same.. if span of interruption is less than 72 hours…avoidance
Negative Effects: Disruption of activity:
L> Effects of light
- solution?
- many use red lights now
- also lights are controlled at any nesting turtle sites
Negative Effects: Disruption of activity:
L> Effects of Sound
*five main ?
- startled from activity
- Detract from finding prey
- Increase activity level = deplete energy
- damage hearing
- confusing signals
Negative Effects: Disruption of activity:
L> Effects of Sound
L> of the five main…with confusing signals what were the two examples from class?
- certain toads emerge from burrows in response to ATV’s (sounds similar to mating sounds)
- Marine mammals impacted in water
L> masks communication signals
Negative Effects: Disturbance
What were the two main disturbances talked about in class?
- Disruption of foraging
2. Disruption of parental behaviour
Negative Effects: Disturbance
1. Disruption of foraging:
example in Kenya?
- cheeta and lions often prevented from making a kill or feeding on the kill
- do not always know when an animal is disturbed… you have to look at their behaviours over the long term not just external features at one time!
Negative Effects: Disturbance
2. Disturbance of parental behaviour?
L> shift to what?
L> May compromise the ?—> examples?
- sub optimal habitats
- may compromise the survival of young
L> pelicans and penguins have depressed breeding success
L> can occur at certain critical periods
Negative Effects: Disturbance
2. Disturbance of parental behaviour?
- Can be seen with that types of birds?
L> further examples (3)
- birds of prey
- harbour seals, alligators and crocodiles
L> HS do not have nests…they move and change locations based on harassment.
Negative Effects: Disturbance
- Other examples of disturbances?
L> Viewing from air??
L> direct contact? (3)
- causes stress in certain animals such as buffalo, bighorn sheep, mountain goats and waterfowl
L> noise from a hot air balloon ..many animals think it is a big new predator…
L> 1. Negative effect 2. Mistreatment 3. Disease transmission in particular.
Negative Effects: Disturbance
- Other examples of disturbances?
L> touching and sharks?
- BAD
- they have mucous membrane that protects them against infections etc…once touched it wrecks it…exposes an area.
Opinion question:
- To touch or not to touch? That is the question!What do you think? Should it be or not be allowed?
GET AN OPINION
Negative Effects: Direct Killing and injuring:
-Hunting is ____ but injury may or may not be ___.
- intentional, accidental
Negative Effects: Direct Killing and injuring:
- Many animals are ____ each year by humans.
L> example from class?
killed
L> including ATVs and boats
Negative Effects: Direct Killing and injuring:
- Manatees??
- Florida manatees had a 10% mortality in 1989
- BUT they are still injured each via prop marks (boat accidents etc) and every year despite signage and knowledge
Negative Effects: Direct Killing and injuring:
- Manatees??
L> The manatees in florida are believed to?
L> manatees cannot??
not have one manatee without a prop injury
L> manatees cannot hear the sound frequency of the boat and can therefore not avoid them in time usually.
