Humans are negatively effecting numerous ecosystems including the Rocky Shores, Sand Dunes and Mangrove communities. If human activities continue as they do now, there will be troubling future implications to nature, and to humans. Tourism, for example, is one of the major human influences that is destroying many valuable ecosystems. Tourism is commercial holidaying where people visit places of interest. (www.directtourismservices.co.uk, 2017) It requires an abundance of associated infrastructure and resources and increased populations have negative effects on the surrounding ecosystems (Brambly, 2017). For example, increased foot traffic, runoff water quality and infrastructural development are all having drastic impacts to ecosystems and are caused by tourism. While it may be greatly beneficial for economic growth, which is why humans are so interested in it, tourism is a major strain on many vital ecosystems and courses of action should be taken to monitor its impacts to the environment. Increased foot traffic is one negative effect that tourism has on ecosystems. The rocky shore is a particularly vulnerable ecosystem to the effects of tourism as it is very accessible for humans, especially at low tide when structures and organisms are completely exposed (Ukmarinesac.org.uk, 2017). The rocky shore is filled with a biodiverse range of creatures because of its enormous structure that also provides a habitat for filter feeders, which are important species that clean the
Although it supports a number of different organisms, Nudgee Beach lacks many of the fundamentals that make up a healthy and successful ecosystem. The first indicator of this is from the lack of birds present in the area. Although it has been noted for terrestrial bird species – such as kingfishers, pelicans, ibis, egrets, jabiru, stilts and heron – and wading bird species – such as golden plovers, curlews, tattlers and godwits – to have been spotted at Nudgee Beach and surrounding areas in the past; after a day’s worth of extensive observation and research, it was found that the birds observed were limited to magpie, ibis, great knot and eastern curlew species. To intensify this factor, at the time by which this lack of species was recorded, Nudgee Beach was expected to have started seeing tens of thousands of birds arrive for the migratory season [21]. This blatant lack of bird species diversity and quantity may have been due to the lack of small organisms within the ecosystem. The restricted number of small organisms at Nudgee Beach is detrimental to the entire ecosystem as these organisms make up the bottom levels of the food web and provide higher-level organisms with adequate amounts of food to consume. The smaller organisms expected to be observed – including; crustacean, shell, mollusc, lizard, frog, fish, worm, arachnid and insect species – was limited to the infrequent observation of crustacean, shell,
The sandy shores of beaches can be considered as a very harsh environment to live in (Ted Klenk, 1999). Survival in such a habitat requires an organism to withstand strong wave and current action, tidal rise and fall, unstable substrate, heavy predation and wide variations in salinity and temperature (The Otter Island Project). Any organism found in this type of harsh environment is specialized and highly adapted (The Otter Island Project).
Along the coasts of rocky beaches, an intricate ecological community inhabits the ‘rocky intertidal’ areas. The variety of rocks is home to an array of slimy, squishy, and colorful organisms. This intertidal community is comprised of nine species: three different algae, three stationary filter-feeders, and three mobile consumers. The three algae, Nori Seaweed, Black Pine, and Coral Weed, are the community’s producers and inhabit the bottom of the food chain. The next three species are stationary consumers. They are Mussel, Goose Neck Barnacle, and Acorn Barnacle. Because of their consumer status, they are more competitively dominant than algae. The last three components are the mobile consumers: Whelk, Chiton, and Starfish. They
Tourism has a large impact on the reef system at Lady Musgrave Island with the millions of people who have and will visit the island at one point in their life. These results did not give an accurate picture as there were many other parts of the reef that weren’t included in these results. Due to this, there could have been more coral impacts or more animals surrounding the reef in other areas that were not included in these results collected. Therefore, the reef ecosystem creates many positive effects for humans and animals alike. However, it can be ruined easily with a simple touch or by leaving waste behind that could damage the reef or hurt the animals living in that
Tourism in Australia has evolved over the years and continues to increase to this day, however it is the effects that tourists have the ability to place on the Southern Great Barrier Reef which are potentially threatening for, not only the reef of lady Elliot Island, however, the corals surrounding it. “International visitations within Australia alone reached 3.9 million visitors within the first 7 months of 2014, which was an increase of approximately 9.5%, a number which continues to rise” (Tourism Australia, 2015). However, with this increasing number, comes possible damaging effects to the surrounding reefs of Lady Elliot Island, possibly leading to the excessive damage of corals due to activities and infrastructure requirements
One of Udubia’s other main industries is its tourism. The industry is growing as new hotels and cruise ship companies popped up. The hotels require land which decreases an ecosystem size, and the tourists that come pollute the small ecosystems. An article written on dw.com about Easter Island, talks about the negative effects of tourism on the island. “With tourists drawn by the island's famous ancient statues churning out seven tonnes of waste a day, its residents are learning the hard way to recycle. Officials want them to stop throwing their trash indiscriminately into the garbage dump on an island of just 64 square miles” (D.W). The trash impacts the marine animals whose homes are polluted, and whose lives are endangered. “Environmentalists say fishing boats trawling for tuna and marlin in the area dump unwanted nets and plastic that end up on the island's beaches or in the stomachs of sea creatures” (D.W), which leads to the decrease in their populations. Something needs to be done about the land. In Thailand for example, the “government closed down Koh Khai Nok, Koh Khai Nui and Koh Khai Naiin- three popular islands in the coast of Phuket because of the negative impact of tourists in
Coral reefs are greatly hurt by tourism. When tourism first began, people had little regard for the delicate balance in the reefs. They would often break off parts of the coral to keep as souvenirs, damaging the area and hurting both the corals and the fish or other animals that relied on it. While humans today are more aware of the damage they cause, regular visitations can still create great damage by snorkelers or divers accidentally hitting and damaging the reefs.
The intertidal rocky shore of Caloundra Beach is inhabited by diverse range of biodiversity of animals and plants, many of which have developed high levels of adaptations throughout their existence. The very boundary of marine and terrestrial ecosystem, this environment is subjected to extremes of the physical environment such as temperature, desiccation, wave turbulence as well the ecological interactions that commonly occur in biotic communities (e.g. competition, predation). However Rocky intertidal shores are easily accessible by humans and provide an enjoyable opportunity for passive recreation and for science and environmental education as well.
Furthermore, extraction of building materials such as sand affects coral reefs, mangroves, and hinterland forests, leading to erosion and destruction of habitats. Overbuilding and extensive paving of shorelines can result in destruction of habitats and disruption of land-sea connections such as sea-turtle nesting spots. Coral reefs are especially fragile marine ecosystems and are suffering worldwide from reef-based tourism developments. Evidence suggests a variety of impacts to coastline ecosystems result from shoreline development, increased sediments in the water, trampling by tourists and divers, ship groundings, pollution from sewage, overfishing, and fishing with poisons and explosives that destroy coral
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
Preserving coastlines is important for the economy and the environment. The fact that the business world and the preservation world are on the same page is a good indicator that maintaining beaches are important for both people and animals. The data that has been collected by both parties, thus far will hopefully bring a more cost effective and more long term solution for beach replenishment. So the beach bums and the sea life may continue to enjoy one of the most beloved landscape for generations to
With Hawaii’s economy being dependant on tourism and the main source of employment, it is important for DMOs ensure its attractions and services are maintained. The beaches are Hawaii’s most popular attractions but are in danger due to erosion and pollution. Erosion is a major environmental issue that affects many of Hawaii’s most famous beaches and is a natural phenomenon. However, the building of structures on the coastline and the formation of sea-walls can speed up the affects. This can impact on the marine life, coral reefs and water quality. As the most popular activities for tourists are based in natural surroundings, it is important to not only ensure the safety of tourists but to maintain the natural environment for future generations. In response, Hawaiian DMOs and environmental government organisations work closely to: educate visitors and residents, regulate what activities tourist can and cannot do in specific areas, organise beach clean-ups and plan beach maintenance strategies. Some
Locations such as the Merri Marine Sanctuary and the area around Shelly beach include a diverse ecosystem and reef area where many rock pools are noted. (Parks Victoria, 2007) Many people come down here to look at the rock pools, but this could harm the invertebrates seen in the reef, as not everyone is aware of this, especially tourists and children. This could include to trampling and picking up creatures, which puts stress on them, some being more vulnerable, then others. It is known that in an environment, anything within it should not be moved as to not make a footprint on that area and within the sanctuary it is not allowed. Within all of these areas, pollution is a huge impact on the environment, which is clearly noticeable. Plastics and clothing have been noted in these reef areas that could harm or kill invertebrates. Without humans
Another human activity highlighted in the five journal is human trampling. This is a human activity where they engage in recreation activities along the coastal ecosystem. The research is done in Brazil l where the Carol reefs are one of the prominent marine ecosystems in the country (Sarmento & Santos, 2012). Due to the trampling, it has some negative impact to the coral reefs on this country. The study was carried in Porto de Galinhas to assess the impact of trampling in areas that have been protected and areas
i actually hadn't really paid any attention to the environmental effect of my vacationing across America. I suppose this is because i was too busy having fun and trying to rest. I'm afraid that a vast majority of people think like this because a vacation is something in which you stop caring about the rules of everyday life and cut loose. \For us American this means going into the wilderness while bring most of home with us.