Event Title
Location
Parker-Reed, SSWAC
Start Date
1-5-2014 10:00 AM
End Date
1-5-2014 11:00 AM
Project Type
Poster
Description
Ecotourism is considered an effective way to preserve biodiversity, educate ecotourists, economically benefit local communities, and foster respect for different cultures. The ecotourism industry is booming, yet this growth may result in the degradation of local ecological systems while contributing little to local communities socioeconomically. Our study aims to assess the relative impact of ecotourism by comparing negative effects of the operation on the environment and positive socioeconomic effects for local communities in three pairs of large and small parks in Canada, Chile and China. While the conservation benefits of ecotourism are important, we do not attempt to measure these factors. Instead, we focus on the negative environmental impacts that may be brought by ecotourists. We predict that relatively large ecotourism operations will have greater socioeconomic benefits for their community but greater environmental impacts.
Faculty Sponsor
Russ Cole
Sponsoring Department
Colby College. Environmental Studies Program
CLAS Field of Study
Interdisciplinary Studies
Event Website
http://www.colby.edu/clas
ID
736
Included in
Weighing the Cost and Benefits of Ecotourism: A Quantitative Evaluation of Six Preserves around the World
Parker-Reed, SSWAC
Ecotourism is considered an effective way to preserve biodiversity, educate ecotourists, economically benefit local communities, and foster respect for different cultures. The ecotourism industry is booming, yet this growth may result in the degradation of local ecological systems while contributing little to local communities socioeconomically. Our study aims to assess the relative impact of ecotourism by comparing negative effects of the operation on the environment and positive socioeconomic effects for local communities in three pairs of large and small parks in Canada, Chile and China. While the conservation benefits of ecotourism are important, we do not attempt to measure these factors. Instead, we focus on the negative environmental impacts that may be brought by ecotourists. We predict that relatively large ecotourism operations will have greater socioeconomic benefits for their community but greater environmental impacts.
https://digitalcommons.colby.edu/clas/2014/program/42