At Hasting’s Point it was evident from the ecosystems visited that there exist many, possible future implications due to human impacts. The value of these ecosystems to us as a resource is immense, however human activity, in particular tourism, threatens to undermine this value. Tourism is comprised of several damaging factors: directly interacting with ecosystems; pollution; development of the area and increased popularity. We rely on these ecosystems for food, relaxation, medicine (scientific research), natural balance and, paradoxically, tourism. However if nothing is done to rectify and/or control this issue, these ecosystems in Hasting’s Point, like many others, run the risk of being destroyed and losing their value as a resource. It …show more content…
Hasting’s Point is surrounded by farm lands and development areas that result in run-off containing plastic, microbial contaminants from sewerage, sediments, heavy metals, fertilisers (contain phosphorus and nitrate), pesticides, car exhaust, motor oil and gasoline. All of these run-off materials are toxic and can greatly harm all ecosystems. Mangroves, which filter heavy metals, phosphorus and sediments, can have oils smother ‘breathing’ roots and hinder functions. Consequently, the run-off would enter the ocean, harming organisms on the rocky shore and sea. Excess nitrate and phosphorus based chemicals in the ocean exponentially increases the growth of algae and plants, resulting in an algal bloom and eutrophication. Any organism below the algae cannot perform photosynthesis (no sunlight) and suffocate from oxygen depletion due to strained respiration and decomposition of dead plants by bacteria. As such, a whole ecosystem, or ecological niche, can be destroyed, much like 2011’s marine die-off along the Pacific coast [12]. These suffocating organisms can also contribute to ocean acidification for respiration produces CO2 (which reacts with water to produce carbonic acid: (H2CO3)), therefore increasing the acidity of the ocean (alongside excess atmospheric CO2)[13]. Acidic waters at Hasting’s Point, and anywhere else, would corrode an organism’s protective shell (calcium) and pressure species to adapt, or die, to the altered chemistry
The text mentions that the bay is filled with smaller ecosystems like forests, streams and marshes that benefit from each other. These smaller ecosystems play a huge role in the stability and balance of the Bay, so when outside forces like pollution cause an imbalance in one of the ecosystems, all of them are affected and put at an imbalance. The balance of the bay is extremely important for its stability. The current imbalance of the bay has caused the decline in many of the plants and animals in the region. This is because many species have a hard time quickly adapting to a new environment, so when there is a sudden drastic change in the environment they start to suffer and struggle, and unless the problem is fixed, they go extinct.
The use of natural resources to attract tourists, if successful, leads to the obligation of an infrastructure upon ‘nature’. Over time, it is the manmade structures that maintain the desirability of the tourist resort, not the natural features that prompted the original.(Ryan, 1991) Thus by focusing too much on attracting tourists
Estuaries are known for being sensitive to several human activities, such as littering and building structures like dams and seawalls that affect their natural flow of freshwater. As estuaries can prevent nearby streets from flooding, they will consequently bring many of their contaminates as well (Baker), which can pose a serious issue for an estuary’s productivity and health. UFL geologist John M. Jager argues that “toxic substances and excess nutrients [from such human-made factors] contribute to fish diseases, algal blooms, and low dissolved oxygen,” all being a threat to the health of not only the estuary itself, but additionally that of its wildlife and even humans themselves.
When it comes to the topic of ecotourism, most of us will readily agree that it is a less harmful alternative to mass-tourism and that it promotes responsible and low-impact travel to areas where flora, fauna and cultural heritage are the primary drawing power. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of what the impact of ecotourism actually is and what its long-term consequences are. Whereas some are convinced that ecotourism provides the basis for sustainable development, particularly in places that suffer from exploitation and excessive resources’ usage, and that could only improve the general conditions of the local people, others maintain that we are still far from true ecotourism, for many are those in the
One of the biggest factors effecting the Simpona lemur population is tourists. Although tourists come to marvel on the beautiful agriculture and species that make up Madagascar, they are unfortunately contributing to the decline of the Simpona lemur. As the tourist rates increase destination resorts increase, which then leads to reduced land for wildlife. Tourists are wanting to reside within the forest to be “immersed” in the environment and have the ability to see the wildlife from the comfort of their hotels (Simpona). This has meant deforestation had to occur to make room for hotels located within or right near the undamaged forest. As a result this leads to people questioning why they would go to the extent of damaging the forests and reducing the population of lemurs for the tourists. This is a result of tourism having a major role in the economy. Tourism is a crucial part of Madagascar’s economy and without tourism the economy would plummet. This country has become so reliant on attracting tourists that it has become one of its biggest forms of income (WWF - Endangered Lemur Fights for Survival in Madagascar). Due to tourists being interested in the island's biodiversity Madagascar has attracted visitors for various reasons ranging from family vacations to scientific research. However, the main
As humanity continues to prosper agriculturally, industrially, and in population, companies, as well as local communities, have obsessively used the Ocean to toss their waste without consequences. The formation of dead zones has been intensified by the increase runoff of fertilizers and the burning of fossil fuels. Enhanced primary production causes algae to bloom at a constant rate creating a layer near the surface. This layer acts as a roof to vegetation below resulting in a lack of oxygen which organisms use to live. According to Robert Diaz and Rutger Rosenberg, “Dead zones have now been reported from more than 400 systems, affecting a total area of more than 245,000 square kilometers, and are probably a key stressor on marine ecosystems.” Specifically, the Chesapeake Bay has been polluted to the point where areas have now been uninhabitable to marine life. Although waste disposal is a difficult issue to solve, polluting bodies of water endangers the marine life, environment, and health of organisms.
The Charlotte Convention center is proud to be the host of the Independent party convention; throughout the convention we will be the host to the various activities that will enhance the party’s incentives. During political conventions there are a lot of activities that happen throughout the course of these events. The event planning committee is preparing for a wide range of events such as speeches, nomination process, seminars, the stating of the party platform, and parades. While all these activities have a certain amount of risk involved, parades and the demonstrations that occur during a political convention provide a greater amount of risk. As a result, the following risk management plan will address the risk associated with parades and demonstrations, and offer solution that will reduce the risks associated with these events.
The discussion on ecotourism and its essence has led to over eighty different definitions of the topic (Fennell, 2008). However, one of the most used and comprehensive definitions is reported by Weaver (ibidem). It describes ecotourism as “a form of tourism that fosters” awareness, education and enjoyment of the natural environment and the local values in a sustainable way (Weaver, 2001a:15). Hence, ecotourism, while thriving for profitability, aims to promote education and cultural awareness of destinations without compromising their ecosystems. Eco-tourists demand for more authentic and meaningful forms of travel and; according to Orams (1996) (in Weaver, 2001a), they can be classified in two different categories: hard and soft ones. The hard eco-tourists believe in “radical” self-commitment with their destination, in order to ameliorate the natural environment (give back something) through “not-mediated” (Weaver, 2001b:106), challenging physical activities immersed in the site’s nature (ibidem). However, the soft visitors have shallower levels of commitment to the environment than hard eco-tourists. Indeed, while hard eco-visitors tend to organise independently (where high competence and time availability are required and low level of services expected on-site), soft ones rely on eco-tour-operators to organise less physically demanding tours (tab. 1.1a) (ibidem).
Tourism is the world’s largest industry with nature-based ecotourism seeing rapid growth since its initial arrival in the 1980s. It is estimated by the World Tourism Organisation that nature tourism generates 7% of all international travel expenditure (Lindberg, 1997) and this figure will have increased rapidly over recent years. It’s increase in popularity is due to a number of factors; tourists becoming increasingly bored of the typical sun, sea and sand holiday’s, the increase in global awareness or environmental issues such as global
Human intrusions are the largest threat to the ecosystem on the Galapagos Islands. This is due to the increase in tourism over the past 16 years. Tourism has grown at a rate of 14% per year (Watkins and Cruz, 2007). The number of hotels on the islands has increased from 33 to 65 and the number of bars and restaurants has increased from 880 to 1,668 (Watkins and Cruz, 2007). This is definitely an indicator of how much tourism has grown on the islands. This causes massive problems in the ecosystem. The only way to these tourists can get to the islands is by boat. The boats that bring the people to the islands are bringing more pollution and waste. The tourists on these boats are bringing plants and animals with them that carry germs, disease, and insects that threaten the native populations on the islands.
“One of South Australia’s premier nature-based attractions is Seal Bay Conservation Park” . It is a beach where the seals wander freely as tourists watch on from a boardwalk. As a result of tourism, the management of the area has changed significantly over time. Tours are available with a guide to walk onto the beach and get up closer with the seals, which was not always provided. The guides are there to control the tourists and protect the seals from any harm being done to them. The boardwalks have been added to protect the area and minimise the disturbance to the seals. This is a direct environmental impact that tourism has had on Seal Bay. To minimise any more tourism related destruction to the island’s environment, made up of over half “native ‘old –growth’ bushland” , conservation parks are scattered over the island, as seen in figure 1.
Biscayne Bay is located in South Florida and is home to many terrestrial and aquatic organisms. Over the years, humans have populated the land around Biscayne Bay, which has greatly altered the water quality. In a study done in 2011, anthropogenic affects in the bay were measured by testing for an overabundance of nutrients in the water (Carey et al, 2011). This is just one of the many studies that shows how and why the Biscayne Bay is affected by human activities. A major concern with the increase in nutrient to the water is that it leads to an accumulation of algae, which ultimately causes a surge in algal bloom (Levinton, 2013).
One of the largest problems the earth is currently facing, in regards to the ocean environment, is the growth of ocean dead zones. The ocean covers more than two-thirds of the earth’s surface. Dead zones occur all around the world, but an increase can be seen near heavy agricultural and industrial areas (What Causes Ocean "Dead Zones"?, 2012). In 1960 there were 49 known ocean dead zones, now there are 405 dead zones identified worldwide (What Causes Ocean "Dead Zones"? 2012). The dead zones lack oxygen levels during certain times of the year limiting the aquatic animal life in the ocean. This problem isn’t caused by the activity in the ocean, but is caused by the activity on land.
As the world develops and the human population grows there is more pollution being dumped into the oceans, causing major problems to marine life and ecosystems. Major causes of marine pollution involve non-point pollutants, marine garbage, toxic ocean pollutants and sewage disposal in oceans. From heavy metal poisoning including lead and mercury killing predators such as sharks and whales, to waste getting trapped in the digestive tracts of marine animals, this essay focuses on how human interference causes horrifying problems to the marine life, but also how to fix it. It will also explore the normal activities of people including farming and how this can cause an imbalance in an ecosystem. Everyday activities can cause massive nutrient
“[P]ollution of the marine environment means the introduction by man, directly or indirectly, of substances or energy into the marine environment, including estuaries, which results or is likely to result in such deleterious effects as harm to living resources and marine life, hazards to human health, hindrance to marine activities, including fishing and other legitimate uses of the sea, impairment of quality for use of sea water and reduction of amenities.”