Blog for the EEMB168 Conservation Ecology class at UC Santa Barbara.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Discussion Question 12 (Solutions and Review) comments due Nov 23rd
Discuss some of the potential opportunities for and problems with possible ecotourism ventures near you. What issues would need to be addressed to ensure that ecotourism would be sustainable and not damaging to natural areas?
There are tons of opportunities in Santa Barbara for ecotourism ventures because the city is located in a prime location, with mountains on one side and the ocean on the other. Activities such as hiking or cycling though the mountains, scuba diving, and whale watching have become very popular in the area. There are also newer ventures that allow people to sight see in a “green way,” such as segway tours, wine tours by trolley, and cloud climbers jeep tours. While all of these seem like a good environmentally friendly form of tourism, there are still some negatives such as trail erosion from over-hiking and increased amounts of trash in usually undisturbed areas. Also, if there are endangered or threatened species in the area, the new addition of tourists in their habitats could hurt their already small population. To ensure that the ecotourism occurring is sustainable and not damaging the environment, we would need to research the different threatened species in the area and contemplate all the ways that we could potentially harm them by going through with the venture. Also, the amount of trash cans in the areas would need to be increased to sustain all of the new tourists. However, it is very important that the area still be kept natural. In the case of hiking trails, specialists should be brought in to make sure that all trails are safe and sturdy, and there won’t be any potential land slides that could harm tourists as well as native species and the habitat. I think overall, it is just important that ecotourism ventures persevere the natural ecosystem as much as possible and not ruin it by bringing in a billion tourists.
"Learning About What the Problems Are With EcoTourism." Web log post. EcoTourism. BlogSpot, 07 July 2007. Web. 29 Nov. 2012. .
Ever since a grassroots movement arose in the 1960's, protecting our pocket of paradise has been a local passion. In fact, we hosted the world's first Earth Day celebration in 1970. Ecotourism is made easy when visiting Santa Barbara. Tourists can minimize their carbon footprint and give back, while truly enjoying what is offered here; from eating local foods and exploring car-free to experiencing the nature preserves and homegrown businesses. There is a wide array of natural facilities in Santa Barbara; there are mountains, hills, beaches and parks, lakes and streams.
The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is home to redwood groves and flower filled meadows. The 65 acres of the garden facilitate over 1,000 species of native plants. In north Goleta, the Coronado Butterfly Preserve is another eye-catching community treasure. From November through February, monarchs migrate to the preserve and thousands can be seen dangling from the eucalyptus branches. The preserve is also home to various birds and wildlife, groves of eucalyptus and a native coastal sage scrub habitat. The Los Padres National forest offers a near infinite number of hiking trails full of amazing views, natural pools, hot springs, flowing creeks and water falls.
It is safe to say that Santa Barbara has an amazing itinerary for those that want to visit and tread lightly. There are always adverse effects when man comes in contact with nature, which is why local governments, non-profit organizations and residents work together to maintain our sustainable community. It is important to make sure that there are adequate facilities to meet human needs that also leave nature undisturbed. Trash disposed of improperly has detrimental effects on the environment. Educating the public is the first and greatest way to allow the public to enjoy our open spaces while preserving them. Signs need to be put at trailheads advising nature-goers to pack in what they pack out. Everyone knows that human food is not natural to wild animals. Their feeding cycles and habitats become disturbed when human fed. In appropriate areas, trash receptacles should be placed abundantly to encourage proper waste disposal.
For more eco-tourism ventures in the Santa Barbara area, read here: http://www.santabarbaraca.com/experience-santa-barbara/sustainable/itineraries/greatoutdoors/
One great opportunity for ecotourism in Santa Barbara is the kelp forests. The kelp forest can attract a lot of ecotourism from divers looking to see this unique and productive ecosystem. This ecotourism can lead to a lot of good for the kelp forests. Money raised from ecotourism and donations from avid divers can be used to protect this habitat. Additionally people will become more educated on the kelp forests and more education and awareness is one of the most important factors in getting future support for conservation efforts. Although the ecotourism can do a lot of good for the kelp forest, it can also cause harm. One way the ecosystem could be harmed would be by poorly trained divers who destroy the giant kelp, sessile invertebrates, or other algae. One way to ensure that the kelp forest would not be destroyed would be to not over dive specific sites. Kelp forests are very large and there are many different sites do dive at within them. If one site is not dived too frequently it should not be significantly disturbed by poor diving techniques. Another problem with ecotourism is that it will lead to more people coming into the area, which will inevitable lead to more pollution. This increased pollution will eventually have a negative effect on the kelp forest. Overall I believe properly managed kelp forest ecotourism is good for the ecosystem.
Near Mexico city is an important national park, the Ajusco. The main threat Ajusco is challenging is the unauthorized settlement of houses in the national park due to the expansion of the city. An ecotourism industry will be a solution to this problem and will represent an income to the families living there. The ecotourism will indeed represent a negative impact to the national park but it’s benefits will be more than it’s negative impacts. The ecotourism industry will diminish the establishment of new settlers in the area. The interest to the people for the ecotourism will create a conflict of interest between the people that use the national park as recreational resort, the people that is investing in the ecotourism industry and the people who want to settle there. The impact of ecotourism will be less than the negative impact of urbanizing the area. To develop a sustainable ecotourism industry in the area the hotels and restaurants must be near the existing highways to avoid the construction of a new highway. Inside the park the tourists can move by foot. Routes must be created for hiking to avoid tourists for eroding the area. Also the routes must be in accordance with the surroundings. The water supply can be easily achieved by trucks in the existing roads or by wells in the area. The maximum capacity must be controlled.
5 comments:
There are tons of opportunities in Santa Barbara for ecotourism ventures because the city is located in a prime location, with mountains on one side and the ocean on the other. Activities such as hiking or cycling though the mountains, scuba diving, and whale watching have become very popular in the area. There are also newer ventures that allow people to sight see in a “green way,” such as segway tours, wine tours by trolley, and cloud climbers jeep tours. While all of these seem like a good environmentally friendly form of tourism, there are still some negatives such as trail erosion from over-hiking and increased amounts of trash in usually undisturbed areas. Also, if there are endangered or threatened species in the area, the new addition of tourists in their habitats could hurt their already small population. To ensure that the ecotourism occurring is sustainable and not damaging the environment, we would need to research the different threatened species in the area and contemplate all the ways that we could potentially harm them by going through with the venture. Also, the amount of trash cans in the areas would need to be increased to sustain all of the new tourists. However, it is very important that the area still be kept natural. In the case of hiking trails, specialists should be brought in to make sure that all trails are safe and sturdy, and there won’t be any potential land slides that could harm tourists as well as native species and the habitat. I think overall, it is just important that ecotourism ventures persevere the natural ecosystem as much as possible and not ruin it by bringing in a billion tourists.
"Learning About What the Problems Are With EcoTourism." Web log post. EcoTourism.
BlogSpot, 07 July 2007. Web. 29 Nov. 2012. .
Ever since a grassroots movement arose in the 1960's, protecting our pocket of paradise has been a local passion. In fact, we hosted the world's first Earth Day celebration in 1970. Ecotourism is made easy when visiting Santa Barbara. Tourists can minimize their carbon footprint and give back, while truly enjoying what is offered here; from eating local foods and exploring car-free to experiencing the nature preserves and homegrown businesses. There is a wide array of natural facilities in Santa Barbara; there are mountains, hills, beaches and parks, lakes and streams.
The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is home to redwood groves and flower filled meadows. The 65 acres of the garden facilitate over 1,000 species of native plants. In north Goleta, the Coronado Butterfly Preserve is another eye-catching community treasure. From November through February, monarchs migrate to the preserve and thousands can be seen dangling from the eucalyptus branches. The preserve is also home to various birds and wildlife, groves of eucalyptus and a native coastal sage scrub habitat. The Los Padres National forest offers a near infinite number of hiking trails full of amazing views, natural pools, hot springs, flowing creeks and water falls.
It is safe to say that Santa Barbara has an amazing itinerary for those that want to visit and tread lightly. There are always adverse effects when man comes in contact with nature, which is why local governments, non-profit organizations and residents work together to maintain our sustainable community. It is important to make sure that there are adequate facilities to meet human needs that also leave nature undisturbed. Trash disposed of improperly has detrimental effects on the environment. Educating the public is the first and greatest way to allow the public to enjoy our open spaces while preserving them. Signs need to be put at trailheads advising nature-goers to pack in what they pack out. Everyone knows that human food is not natural to wild animals. Their feeding cycles and habitats become disturbed when human fed. In appropriate areas, trash receptacles should be placed abundantly to encourage proper waste disposal.
For more eco-tourism ventures in the Santa Barbara area, read here:
http://www.santabarbaraca.com/experience-santa-barbara/sustainable/itineraries/greatoutdoors/
One great opportunity for ecotourism in Santa Barbara is the kelp forests. The kelp forest can attract a lot of ecotourism from divers looking to see this unique and productive ecosystem. This ecotourism can lead to a lot of good for the kelp forests. Money raised from ecotourism and donations from avid divers can be used to protect this habitat. Additionally people will become more educated on the kelp forests and more education and awareness is one of the most important factors in getting future support for conservation efforts. Although the ecotourism can do a lot of good for the kelp forest, it can also cause harm. One way the ecosystem could be harmed would be by poorly trained divers who destroy the giant kelp, sessile invertebrates, or other algae. One way to ensure that the kelp forest would not be destroyed would be to not over dive specific sites. Kelp forests are very large and there are many different sites do dive at within them. If one site is not dived too frequently it should not be significantly disturbed by poor diving techniques. Another problem with ecotourism is that it will lead to more people coming into the area, which will inevitable lead to more pollution. This increased pollution will eventually have a negative effect on the kelp forest. Overall I believe properly managed kelp forest ecotourism is good for the ecosystem.
Steneck, RS, Graham, MH, Bourque, BJ, et al. (2002). Kelp forest ecosystems: biodiversity, stability, resilience and future. Environmental conservation, 29(04), 436-459.
Near Mexico city is an important national park, the Ajusco. The main threat Ajusco is challenging is the unauthorized settlement of houses in the national park due to the expansion of the city. An ecotourism industry will be a solution to this problem and will represent an income to the families living there. The ecotourism will indeed represent a negative impact to the national park but it’s benefits will be more than it’s negative impacts. The ecotourism industry will diminish the establishment of new settlers in the area. The interest to the people for the ecotourism will create a conflict of interest between the people that use the national park as recreational resort, the people that is investing in the ecotourism industry and the people who want to settle there. The impact of ecotourism will be less than the negative impact of urbanizing the area.
To develop a sustainable ecotourism industry in the area the hotels and restaurants must be near the existing highways to avoid the construction of a new highway. Inside the park the tourists can move by foot. Routes must be created for hiking to avoid tourists for eroding the area. Also the routes must be in accordance with the surroundings. The water supply can be easily achieved by trucks in the existing roads or by wells in the area. The maximum capacity must be controlled.
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