Undisturbed Natural Areas Research Articles

Scenic degradation and visual pollution along the Agadir coastline (Morocco): Analysis and management

Visual pollution refers to the degradation of landscape aesthetics, manifesting as visible deterioration. On the Agadir coast in Morocco, factors such as urbanization, erosion, marine wracking, litter, sewage, beach driving, and animal waste contribute to this issue, which detracts from coastal scenery. This study employs the coastal scenery evaluation system (CSES) to conduct a scenic assessment of 40 coastal sites, aiming to describe the current state of visual pollution and inform management interventions. The CSES utilizes a checklist comprising 18 physical and 8 human parameters to calculate a scenic evaluation index (D value), which categorizes coastal sites into five classes. These range from Class I — typically undisturbed natural areas with pristine scenic qualities — to Class V — which are degraded natural areas significantly impacted by human activities. The scenic evaluation classified these sites into three classes. Four sites (10 %) were classified as Class III, fifteen (37.5 %) as Class IV, and twenty-one (52.5 %) as Class V. No sites were classified as Classes I or II. The assessments presented here offer a comprehensive overview of the Agadir coastal scenery and establish a baseline for developing strategies to address visual pollution.

Assessing the Ecotourism Potential in Sarasalai-Kuruvikkadu and Adjacent Areas in the Jaffna Peninsula, Sri Lanka

Ecotourism is environmentally responsible, enlightening travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and any accompanying cultural features both past and present) that promotes conservation, has low visitor impact, and provides for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local populations. Sarasalai Kuruvikkadu and adjacent areas such as Anthanathidal and Kapputhu in the Jaffna District are rich with significant extents of mangroves that are notable for their waterbirds’ diversity. The diversity and abundance of birds and the ecotourism potential of those areas have not been evaluated probably due to the three decades long civil unrest. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the nature-based ecotourism potential of Sarasalai Kuruvikkadu and adjacent areas. Geographic Information System was used as tool for identify the potential status of entire Jaffna District. Suitability analysis was applied and Multi Criteria Decision Method (MCDM) and criteria ranking method were used. Three aspects such as Flamingo sites (13), other birds’ sites (40) and mangroves areas (66) in the district including study areas were considered for suitability analysis. The evaluating process for ecotourism sites were conducted based on criteria viz. species richness (of birds), tourist preferences, proximity to residential areas, proximity to accommodation, distance from roads, scenic beauty and density and distribution. Based on each three analysis, Potentials sites were derived based on priority ranking such high, moderate, and low potential. Through the overall analysis, the study areas, Sarasalai and Anthanathidal come under the high potential areas (> 75%) and Kapputhu represents lower potential (<45%) based on flamingo and other birds aspects but based on mangrove sites’ analysis, both areas represent high potential status and Kapputhu represents lower status. Our recent studies have shown that Sarasalai is home to at least 82 species of waterbirds (Margalef’s Index 6.74) and Anthanathidal represents 47 species (Margalef’s Index 9.23) and Kapputhu 22 species (Margalef’s Index 3.04). In addition to some of mammals, crocodiles and fishes were recorded in the study areas that have a high potential for promoting ecotourism. The areas had a high abundance of flamingos, which are a major Avi-tourist attraction. The study areas have large extents mangroves (896.6 ha) with four true mangrove species, Excoecaria agallocha, Lumnitzera racemosa, Rhizophora mucronate and Aegiceras corniculatum which is a unique ecotone and attraction and sources for ecotourism. Hence these areas have a great nature-based tourism potential. There is also a great potential for the participation of local people for promotion of ecotourism in the Jaffna peninsula, elevating their poverty.
 
 Key words: Sarasalai, Kuruvikadu, Ecotourism potential, Mangroves, Flamingo

Ecotourism in Marine Protected Areas as a tool to valuate natural capital and enhance good marine governance: A review

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are essential to reach the UN Ocean’s Decade challenges and the Sustainable Development Goal 14 (life bellow water – conserve coastal and marine areas), and their crucial role for the health of the planet was highlighted in the United Nations Ocean Conference. However, often these MPA’s are no more than Paper Parks, with poor financial and human resources, thus lacking effectiveness. Moreover, they frequently trigger conflicts with local communities, by imposing restrictions to their activities with no alternative or compensations, causing serious governance inefficiencies. Thus, within the UN Oceans Decade, MPA’s must face simultaneously three of the challenges: Protect and restore ecosystems and biodiversity (Challenge 2); Develop a sustainable and equitable ocean economy (Challenge 4) and Change humanity’s relationship with the ocean (Challenge 10). To address those challenges, it becomes clear that management models of MPA’s had to find ways to value natural capital and, at the same time, involve local communities and stakeholders in the governance processes. The conservation of biodiversity has both direct and indirect economic benefits for many sectors of the economy, namely tourism, being ecotourism considered one of the segments particularly adequate to value natural capital. Ecotourism, defined as “environmentally responsible travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas”, to enjoy and appreciate nature, is often used to enhance the natural capital, while protecting and promoting protected areas. Several studies have been carried out about ecotourism in MPA’s all over the world, particularly in the 21stcentury. In this article, we analyzed several case studies focusing ecotourism in MPAs, to better understand the connection between the development of this industry, the development of sustainable blue economy, and the efforts for ocean conservation. From the analysis conducted, we conclude that ecotourism development and community participation are of paramount importance in achieving sustainable development in MPAs, although there is still room to new advances improving good marine governance.

Investigating survival/growth ratio of scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) afforestation efforts and effects of BUROR terracing operations on some soil properties in the lands susceptive to soil erosion in Erzincan

Erzincan-Keklik kayası mevkiinde yürütülen bu çalışmada, 2012 yılında, BUROR mini-ekskavatörle teraslama sonrası uygulanan ağaçlandırma ve erozyon kontrol faaliyetlerinde dikilen sarıçam fidanlarının 2018 yılı vejetasyon dönemi sonundaki (6 yıllık) gelişim durumlarının değerlendirmesi yapılmıştır. Bu amaçla, dikimlerin yapıldığı alandan 20 m x 20 m büyüklüğünde (yaklaşık 400 m2) toplam 7 deneme parseli seçilmiş ve her bir parselde rasgele tespit edilen 30 (toplamda 210 adet) fidanın boyu, kök boğazı çapları ve dikimden bu yana geçen her bir vejetasyon dönemine ait yıllık boy artımları ölçülmüştür. Ayrıca, söz konusu bu ağaçlandırma ve erozyon kontrol faaliyetlerinin toprakta neden olduğu olası bazı fiziksel ve kimyasal değişimleri tespit etmek üzere de 42 tanesi dikim yapılan terasların içinden (fidan dibinden), 29 tanesi ise terasların aralarından (doğal/kontrol alan) olmak üzere toplamda 71 bozulmuş toprak örneği alınarak pH, organik madde (OM), elektriksel iletkenlik (Eİ), agregat stabilitesi ve tekstür değerleri için analize tabi tutulmuşlardır. Araştırma sonucunda, altı yıllık büyüme dönemi sonunda, dikilen sarıçam fidanlarında %88’lik bir başarı oranı yakalandığı, ortalama kök boğaz çaplarının ise 47.3 mm’ye ulaştığı belirlenmiştir. Bununla beraber, güney bakıdaki yamaçlarda dikilen sarıçam fidanlarının ulaştıkları ortalama 130.3 cm’lik boy ile kuzey bakıdakilerden (120.9 cm) istatiksel olarak daha uzun oldukları tespit edilmiştir. Toprak analiz verileri üzerindeki değerlendirmelerde ise mini ekskavatörle yapılan BUROR terasların bazı toprak özellikleri üzerinde negatif etkiler yarattığı ve kısmen bozulan bu özelliklerin doğal değerlerine ulaşmasının zaman alacağı sonucuna varılmıştır. Son olarak, bu araştırmanın önemli sonuçlarından birinin de 2013 ile 2018 büyüme dönemlerindeki sarıçam boy artımlarıyla hem bir önceki yıl yağan toplam yağış miktarları (R2 = 0.77) hem de vejetasyon dönemindeki yağış miktarları arasında (R2 = 0.85) yüksek bir ilişki olduğunun tespit edilmesi olmuştur.

Understanding the importance of ecotourism by supporting eco-design principles

Abstract: Ecotourism is a form of tourism which involves delicate and relatively undisturbed natural areas, intended as a smallscale alternative to standard mass tourism. A walk through the forest or trail is not ecotourism unless that particular walk benefits that environment and the people who are involved. Ecotourism can be termed as ‘responsible tourism’ and ‘green tourism’, which focuses upon the responsibility of nature and its green development.[1] This paper studies the concept of eco-tourism and its various aspects which also involves eco-friendly materials. Its purpose is to educate the travellers, to provide funds for ecological conservation, to directly benefit the economic development. The results show that there is a need for eco-design and use of eco-friendly approach, which demands continuous efforts on Tourism Ministry state government, host community and tourists to support and promote Eco-tourism. The purpose of this study is to look at ways in which ecotourism and sustainable development can be evaluated and suggest ways to improve current ecotourism practices. Ecotourism definitions require that the indigenous host community receives the benefits and despite its small-scale and seasonal character, it has the potential to deliver economic benefits on multiple levels

Effect of land use on microplastic pollution in a major boundary waterway: The Arvand River

The occurrence of microplastics (MPs) was investigated in the Arvand River (Iran). The Arvand River (200 Km) is a major water body that flows through land with diverse use and it meets the Persian Gulf. This study constitutes the first assessment of MP pollution (prevalence and physico-chemical characteristics) in the Arvand river, both in the sediment and in the water. MP monitoring has been carried out in 24 stations located along the river. The MP pollution found ranged between 1 and 291 items·L−1 and 70 to 15,620 items·kg−1 (dw), in water and sediment, respectively. The majority of MPs were fibres, black/grey and yellow/orange in colour, and mainly 250–500 μm and >1000 μm in size. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), nylon (NYL), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and polystyrene (PS) were found in sediment samples. All these polymers, except HDPE, were also identified in the water samples. PET and PP were dominant in the water samples; whereas PET and PS were the most abundant in the sediments. The vicinity of urban wastewater effluents could be behind MP pollution in both water and sediments. Significant differences (p < 0.05) of MP concentrations were affected by different land uses when comparing MP levels in undisturbed natural area with urban areas. A strong correlation between MP fibres and fragments found with PCA biplots revealed their similar distribution in water. In the sediment samples, fibre and fragment MP particles were significantly correlated with colloidal particles (e.g., clay and organic matter) suggesting a relevant role of colloidal particles in the aquatic ecosystem of the Arvand River in transporting MPs. This study contributes to the better understanding of the presence of MP in major rivers, which are systems that have been scarcely investigated for this type of pollution, and it can inform interventions to reduce MP inputs to the river and sea.

Inventory and DNA-barcode library of ground-dwelling predatory arthropods from Krokar virgin forest, Slovenia.

BackgroundAt a time of immense human pressure on nature and the resulting global environmental changes, the inventory of biota - especially of undisturbed natural areas - is of unprecedented value as it provides a baseline for future research. Krokar, an example of such an undisturbed area, is the largest virgin forest remnant in Slovenia. It is located in the Dinaric Alps, which are believed to harbour the most diverse fauna of soil invertebrates in Europe. Nevertheless, the soil fauna of the Krokar virgin forest has not been thoroughly studied. Moreover, modern taxonomic approaches often rely on genetic information (e.g. DNA-barcodes), while extensive reference libraries from the Dinaric area are lacking. Our work, therefore, focused on addressing this lack of faunistic and genetic data from the Dinaric area.New informationA total of 2336 specimens belonging to 100 taxa (45 spiders, 30 centipedes, 25 ground-dwelling beetles) were collected and deposited to GBIF. DNA-barcodes of 124 specimens belonging to 73 species were successfully obtained and deposited in GenBank and BOLD databases.

Advancing Sustainable Tourism Development and Its Contribution to Poverty Reduction and Development: Perspective from Malaysia

The role of the Malaysian government in promoting sustainable tourism is evident in the existing legal and institutional framework. There is evidence that indicate that Agenda 21 have been adopted in the national master plan. Sustainable Tourism aids in making a minimum impact on the local environment and culture as its essential tourism vision is narrower. Not only that, it helps in generating incomes and bring employment in the local communities while conserving the local ecosystems. The national ecotourism plan in Malaysia was intended to provide a general framework to assist the government in developing the country’s ecotourism potential. Under the plan, the definition of ecotourism follows that of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Ecotourism is defined as responsible travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas in order to enjoy and appreciate nature that conserves the environment and sustains the well-being of local people. As a result, quite a number of the tourism destinations in Malaysia have been gazetted as terrestrial or marine protected areas in various categories such as forest reserves, wildlife reserves, sanctuaries, wetlands and marine parks. In order to ensure the success of the eco-tourism plans, joint efforts between the various levels of government, the private sector and the local communities were planned and carried out to maximize the economic, socio-cultural and environmental benefits it has to bring. Although Ministry of Culture, Arts and Tourism of Malaysia acts as a single coordinating body to spearhead the overall implementation of the National Eco tourism plan, the Ministry recognizes the imperative role of the private sector and specifies roles for all sectors of Federal, State and Local Authority, private business, NGOs and other players. The tourism industry contributed to economic development through among others, providing employment and business opportunities, infrastructure improvement and increased in foreign exchange and tax revenues. Even though Malaysia is a relatively new entrant into tourism activities as compared to its ASEAN neighbors, the industry has grown tremendously over the years. By 2020, tourism industry is a key foreign exchange earner for Malaysia, contributing to over 42% of the country’s balance of payment. The industry has provides an important source of income, employment and wealth to the country. Keywords: Sustainable tourism, Tourism development, Contribution to poverty reduction, Malaysia.

Correlation Analysis between Land-Use/Cover Change and Coastal Subsidence in the Yellow River Delta, China: Reviewing the Past and Prospecting the Future

In recent years, noticeable subsidence depressions have occurred along the coastal zone of the Yellow River Delta. Consistent with these changes, dramatic human modifications within the coastal zone stand out, and the coastline is altered from an undisturbed natural area to an artificial coastline. However, very few studies have attempted to quantitatively analyze the relationship between subsidence depression and human activities. Here, the subsidence characteristics of the different land-use types in the Yellow River Delta are examined, and their spatiotemporal trends are quantified using a long-term satellite-observed time series of 30 years (1984–2017) regarding the land use map in combination with the InSAR-derived vertical ground deformations during three typical periods (P1: 1992–2000, P2: 2007–2010, and P3: 2016–2017). Noticeably, the highest subsidence rates were observed in areas where substantial human activities were observed, such as the subsidence in the salt fields ranging from 13 mm/year to 32 mm/year to 453 mm/year, respectively. Moreover, through the land-use prediction of Land Change Modeler (LCM), it is found that the salt field area will be further expanded in the future. The ecological vulnerability of the Yellow River Delta coastal zone should receive more attention in the future in terms of planning environmental protection strategies.

Green Tourism

Green tourism is defined as environmentally friendly tourism activities with various focuses and meanings. In a broad term, green tourism is about being an environmentally friendly tourist or providing environmentally-friendly tourist services. The green tourism concept would be highly appealing to tourism enterprises and operators owing to increasing governmental pressure to improve environmental performance by adopting effective and tangible environmental management techniques. Green tourism is a form of tourism involving visiting fragile, pristine, and relatively undisturbed natural areas, intended as a low-impact and often small scale alternative to standard commercial tourism. Its purpose may be to educate the traveller, to provide funds for ecological conservation, to directly benefit the economic development and political empowerment of local communities, or to foster respect for different cultures and for human rights. Green Tourism has been considered a critical endeavour by environmentalists, so that future generations may experience destinations relatively untouched by human intervention. Furthermore, the achievement and promotion of internationally recognized environmental awards would be instrumental to the tourism enterprises in marketing their services. As a result, many concerned and responsible parties put forward recommendations for green tourism products to regulate tourism’s negative impacts. This conceptual paper attempts to discuss the green tourism concept its processes as well as explain approaches of green tourism industry can legitimately open up new areas for the more discriminating and wider range of the market, and tourists or visitors can enjoy the holiday they want with a clear conscience. Responsible green tourism programs and plans include those that minimize the negative aspects of conventional tourism on the environment and enhance the cultural integrity of local people. Therefore, in addition to evaluating environmental, social and cultural factors, an integral part of green tourism is the promotion of recycling, energy efficiency, water conservation, and the creation of economic opportunities for local communities. For these reasons, green tourism often appeals to advocates of environmental and social responsibility. Marketing people -all in public, government and private level specialists- working in the tourism sector, should configure the best green solutions for the current and future strategies. The real green alternatives are needed to suggest a new perspective(re-thinking process) about tourism marketing strategies.

Travel risk in the ecotourism industry amid COVID-19 pandemic: ecotourists’ perceptions

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 outbreak has caused a global turmoil which restricted movement and consequently, diminishing domestic and international travel. One that is severely affected is ecotourism in National Parks, that involves visiting fragile, pristine and undisturbed natural areas. One of the major concerns for ecotourists in destination decision-making is travel risk that could affect their safety. This study aims to examine their risk perception and how it affects the behaviour of ecotourists in Taman Negara National Park, Malaysia. The data was collected from 406 respondents and analysed using structural equation modelling. It is concluded that risk perception affects tourists’ decision-making, whereby health and safety information preference is the strongest predictor, and media’s influence has a very significant connection. This study has the potential of contributing to the management of ecotourism destinations in times of crisis. It also fills the literature gap on risk perceptions of ecotourists’ during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effects of urbanization on resource use and individual specialization in coyotes (Canis latrans) in southern California

Urban environments are unique because fragments of natural or semi-natural habitat are embedded within a potentially permeable matrix of human-dominated areas, creating increased landscape and, potentially, habitat heterogeneity. In addition, urban areas can provide diet subsidies for wildlife species in the form of fruiting ornamental plants, trash, and domestic animals. Ecological opportunity in the forms of habitat and food heterogeneity are thought to be important mechanisms in maintaining individual specialization. Identifying which contexts, traits, and mechanisms determine the success or failure of individuals within an urban wildlife population could potentially provide predictions about which populations may succeed in human-dominated landscapes and which may experience local extinction. We used both scat and stable isotope analysis of whiskers to investigate the degree to which coyotes (Canis latrans) utilized anthropogenic subsidies and exhibited individual diet specialization across the urban-rural gradient in southern California. Land use surrounding scat and isotope sample locations was also evaluated to determine the effect of land cover on diet. Human food constituted a significant portion of urban coyote diet (22% of scats, 38% of diet estimated by stable isotope analysis). Domestic cats (Felis catus) and ornamental fruit and seeds were also important items in urban coyote diets. Consumption of anthropogenic items decreased with decreasing urbanization. In suburban areas, seasonality influenced the frequency of occurrence of anthropogenic subsidies with increased consumption in the dry season. The amount of altered open space (areas such as golf courses, cemeteries, and landscaped parks) nearby had a negative effect on the consumption of anthropogenic items in both urban and suburban areas. Contrary to our hypothesis, urban coyotes displayed reduced between-individual variation compared to suburban and rural coyotes. It is possible that the core urban areas of cities are so densely developed and subsidized that wildlife inhabiting these areas actually have reduced ecological opportunity. Suburban animals had the broadest isotopic niches and maintained similar individual specialization to rural coyotes. Wildlife in suburban areas still have access to relatively undisturbed natural areas while being able to take advantage of anthropogenic subsidies in neighboring residential areas. Therefore, areas with intermediate urban development may be associated with increased ecological opportunity and specialization.

Reactions of shorebirds and passerines to human development in the Russian Arctic under the influence of strict conservation measures

Anthropogenic impact on nesting waders and passerine birds in the Arctic in surroundings of the industrial complex Sabetta, Yamal Peninsula, Russia was studied. A lot of factors associated with human development may affect nesting birds. The human-subsidized predation is considered to be the most significant. Anthropogenic food sources are usually present in human-transformed habitats, as well as additional dens and perch sites. This leads to a higher press of predation. In Sabetta, there are specific conditions causing artificially-limited predation and human-induced disturbance. Finding a large number of nests in close proximity to industrial infrastructure we have suggested that waders (order Charadriiformes) and passerine (order Passeriformes) birds may be tolerant to an urbanized landscape. In the studied industrial habitat, they probably do not reduce the nesting density, thanks to particular advantages of such habitats (drainability and variety of shelters). To test this hypothesis, we performed an analysis of the relationship between the nesting density of the 8 most abundant species of waders and passerines in relation to the degree of habitat transformation. Statistical analysis was carried out using the GLM module of Statsoft Statistica 10. We found a positive relation between nesting density of the Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) and Snow bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) and the degree of transformation. Habitat transformation did not significantly affect the White wagtail (Motacilla alba) and Red-throated pipit (Anthus cervinus). The Lapland longspur (Calcarius lapponicus) showed a clear decrease of the nest density in transformed habitats. Last but not least, the Little stint (Calidris minuta), Temminck’s stint (C. temminckii) and Red-necked phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus) completely ignored only artificial habitats, whereas in partially transformed habitats, their mean nesting density was similar to undisturbed natural areas.

MYCOBIOTA OF SOILS OF URBAN TERRITORIES WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS OF ANTHROPOGENIC LOAD

Anthropogenic forcing has a huge impact on the formation of the ecosystem of modern cities, including the composition of the mycobiota of the urban environment. The paper presents the results of mycological studies of soil samples taken in the city of Kazan in areas divided into recreational and transport functional areas with different levels of anthropogenic load. More than 60 species of fungi belonging to 15 genera, including 20 species common to soils in both zones were identified. Penicillium sp., Fusarium sp., Rhizomucor sp., Trichoderma viride were shown to dominate in undisturbed natural areas, and in soils of the urban environment there was much more often found the presence of Alternaria sp., Aspergillus sp., Candida sp., Rhizopus sp., Trichophyton sp. In areas with good natural light the percentage of samples with low contamination by fungi was established to be significantly higher than in shaded areas: 16.7% and 7.1% in the recreational area; and 12.5% and 0% in the transport zone correspondingly. Potentially pathogenic species of fungi were detected in 80% of samples of recreational and in 95% of samples of transport areas. Dark-colored species (including Aspergillus, Alternaria, etc.) were shown to be more common in soils of transport zone, and Trichophyton sp. and Scopulariopsis sp. - in soils of recreational zone. The evaluation of mycological hazard index allowed to estimate the condition of the soil of Kazan as satisfactory for 80% of sites of recreational and 65% - of the transport area. The average value of the mycological hazard index for recreational areas was 2.7 and for the transport areas - 4.2. Results indicate to regular mycological monitoring would be desirable for the normalization of the mycological environment, significantly reducing the risk of mycosis, mycotoxicosis and mycogenic allergies, and should help to ensure sanitary-epidemiological welfare of the population.

3rd International Research conference on Ecotourism &amp; Environment (Souvenier)

Object: To provide a platform to Vice Chancellors, Educational Administrators, College Principals, Deans, Professors, Readers, Associate Professors, Assistant Professors, Scientists, Environmentalist, Researchers, Young scientists and Post Graduate Students to disseminate knowledge related to Ecotourism &amp; Environment. &#x0D; Theme: To take some positive steps towards improving our Ecotourism &amp; Environment for future generation. &#x0D; Goal: The moral obligation to act sustainably as an obligation to protect the natural processes that form the context of human life and culture, emphasizing those large biotic and abiotic systems essential to human life, health, and flourishing culture. Ecotourism and Environment, which are understood as dynamic, self-organizing systems humans have evolved within, must remain 'healthy' if humans are to thrive. The principal goal of this conference will be to present some of the latest outstanding breakthroughs in Ecotourism and Environment, to bring together both young and experienced scientists from all regions of the world, and to open up avenues for research collaborations at regional and global level. &#x0D; The general topics covered in conference will be as under:&#x0D; Ecotourism is a form of tourism involving visiting fragile, pristine, and relatively undisturbed natural areas, intended as a low-impact and often small scale alternative to standard commercial mass tourism. Ecosystem: Aquatic, Terrestrial and Areal ecosystem, Ecology, Ecosystem and its conservation measure. Wildlife: Animal Behavior and Wildlife Conservation, Endangered, Threatened and Endemic Species Conservation, Strategy for wildlife conservation.&#x0D; National and World Heritage: Heritage and Tourism, Importance of tourist, Tourist need, Eco-Tourism. &#x0D; Technological Approach for sustainable development: Method and Technique for Ecotourism and Environment management, Bio-indicator, Application of bio-technology, Rural bio-technology, Tools and technique, Bio-markers, Climate change and Ecosystem management. Role of N.G.O. for Ecotourism, Environment, Wildlife and Heritage conservation &#x0D; The general topics covered in the conference: Research Needs in Ecotourism, Research Needs in Environment conservation, Action plane for Ecotourism and Environment, Policy in Ecotourism and Environment conservation, Sustainable Ecotourism Development, Guide and Ecotourism, Role of NGO in Ecotourism, Community based Ecotourism, Role of Biodiversity in Ecotourism, Needs of Stakeholders for Ecotourism, International and National Heritage conservation, Assessment of Environmental impacts of Ecotourism, The Existing Knowledge of Ecotourism, Biological and Ecological Impact of Tourism, Pollution in Tourism area, Environmental study of Tourism area, Natural resource management, Wildlife and Forest conservation, Technological Approach Lab to Land.

Integration of water management and land consolidation in rural areas to adapt to climate change: Experiences from Poland and the Netherlands

Rural areas face major challenges in adapting to the impacts of climate change, in particular to floods and droughts. This calls for both adaptation of rural functions and climate-proof and water-resilient design of the rural area, often implying improvement of water retention and flood protection. Implementation of such climate change-related goals in spatial planning often involves adaptations in water management, perhaps even leading to land consolidation. Water management and land consolidation thus form important tools for spatial adaptation. Land consolidation is also a tool to support the integration of other claims that need room, such as agriculture, nature, landscape and tourism functions. This paper investigates the history of and approaches to land consolidation and water management in Poland and the Netherlands, and illustrates the integration of land consolidation and water management to realize a multifunctional climate resilient rural area by two examples in each country. We qualitatively compared the extent to which the planned activities in water retention and flood protection were realized and planned results were achieved for other functions. We found that the two adaptation measures, water retention and flood protection, were more effective in the Netherlands, stemming from ample attention for the impact of climate change and the incorporation of climate change adaptation goals in water policy. Furthermore, the water retention and flood protection measures in the Netherlands better serve multiple functions: agriculture, nature, recreation, landscape and infrastructure. Reasons for this are the multidisciplinary and participatory approach, attention to public awareness and communication and promotion of the process. On the other hand, the Dutch have much to learn from Poland’s vast, undisturbed natural areas, which contribute to a climate resilient landscape. Both Poland and the Netherlands could therefore benefit from bringing together ideas and experiences regarding climate proofing the rural area.

Impact of off-road vehicles on soil and vegetation in a desert rangeland in Saudi Arabia.

Off-road vehicle driving is considered as main contributor to land degradation in arid regions. This study examined the impact of off-road vehicles (ORV) on soil and vegetation in a natural recreational desert meadow of Raudhat Khuraim, Saudi Arabia. Vegetation canopy cover and plant height away from road tracks were assessed. Also, species density and canopy cover, bare ground cover and soil attributes were assessed in four microhabitats; tracks, inter-tracks, verges, and away from vehicle tracks (undisturbed natural areas). Results show that the cover of forbs and grasses was negatively associated with distance from road verges. It was observed that the height of woody species responded negatively to distance away from tracks. Cover of native species decreased under verge, inter-track and track microhabitats giving more opportunity for weeds to flourish. Bare ground was highest (60.7%) in tracks. ORV impact on soil bulk density was clear with an increase of 38% under tracks compared to soils of undisturbed natural vegetation and a similar decrease in porosity was observed. On the other hand, soil electrical conductivity was significantly higher (5.45 mS cm−1) under disturbance compared to 1.32 mS cm−1 in undisturbed natural vegetation. Organic matter and nitrogen were not affected significantly by ORV disturbance. The results emphasize that managing off-road vehicle driving is essential for conserving native vegetation.

Strategi Komunikasi Yang Mendukung Perkembangan Pariwisata Berbasis Ekonomi Kerakyatan

This research was emerged by Centra Java Government policy which placed tourism sector as the second key sectors beside agriculture and industries. A kind of tourism force is by ecotourism wich environmentally responsible travel and visits to relatively undisturbed natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature and any accompanying cultural features, both past and present, that promote conservation, has low visitor impact, and provides for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local population. Then, the strategic communication choose Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) to increase them. PRA is a participatory approach, new innovation method for improving efficacy and rapidity in data collection. Participatory method was interested the community in prepare the action program and developing the learning process forsolving the environment problems. Leading by Pamong Budaya as opinion leader, this strategic communication is a way tocreate an effective communication and automatically help rural community to increase their live by ecotourism.

Last of the wild revisited: assessing spatial patterns of human impact on landscapes in Southern Patagonia, Chile

Human activities are continuously expanding at a global scale and having an increasing effect on the remaining natural ecosystems in remote areas, such as the Magellan Region of southern Patagonia, Chile. In addition to extensive livestock holdings, aquaculture and tourism are advancing into formerly undisturbed areas, and insufficient information on the spatial scope and intensity of these alterations is available to inform and support conservation policies. The aim of this study was to spatially analyse the degree, scope and spatial distribution of anthropogenic alterations. Accordingly, two spatially explicit indexes, the degree of anthropogenic alteration (DAA) and human influence index (HII), have been applied. The results show a significant spatial overestimation of the remaining undisturbed natural areas. Despite low population densities and extensive conservation designations, a major share of the total area has been anthropogenically altered. Depending on the measure type, between 53.1 % (DAA) and 68.1 % of the area (HII) needs to be considered as influenced by human activity in some way. Our findings challenge previous studies by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS and CIESIN in Last of the wild project, version 2, 2005 (LWP-2): last of the wild dataset (Geographic), NASA socioeconomic data and applications center (SEDAC), Palisades, 2005). Their worldwide assessment of pristine natural environments indicated that a much smaller part of the Magellan region has been subject to human influence. The chosen methodologies represent an opportunity to detect and monitor human influence at small spatial scales, which has heretofore remained unnoticed. Because such alterations are becoming more frequent in remote regions, the assessment approaches presented here provide important information on human–environment interactions to support land-use and nature conservation policy design. In addition, small-scale structures and different types of economic activities are considered to support policies that can protect the remaining natural areas from human encroachment. Moreover, implications of the proposed methodology for biodiversity conservation policy are discussed.

English

Community based Ecotourism (CBET) has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sectors of the tourism market and protected areas are the foundation of it. Despite this trend, it is still at its toddler stage in Ethiopian national parks. This study focuses on the assessment of challenges of Borena Saynt National Park (BSNP) for CBET development. The study met this research aims through an extensive study of relevant literature and the implementation of practical research. The latter was carried out through personal observations, key informant interview and using questionnaires. The findings of the study have portrayed that constraints such as poor infrastructural developments, (roads, campsites, lodges, lack of abundant health facilities, hotels and electricity); lack of well qualified human power, lack of natural buffer zone, serious environmental degradation, very exaggerated shape, being small in size, preference of locals towards traditional use of the parks resources over conservation and development of ecotourism, population growth due to expectations of growth of social services and development around the park, settlement, unfair and against the human rights relocation and compensation system; human wild life conflict;&nbsp; and lack of shopping and commercial facilities are persistent challenges for ecotourism development in the area. The main conclusions drawn from this research were that controlling the challenges the park can be said an open air museum for biodiversity and geological features.&nbsp; Hence, for such a fragile, pristine, and comparatively undisturbed natural areas, ecotourism is a panacea as it could teach the community, help to produce funds for ecological conservation, and enable to directly profit the economic development and political management of native communities, and fosters respect for various cultures and for human rights. Key words: Borena Saynt, Community based Ecotourism, National park, Panacea.