(8.2.1) How can damaged environments and natural habitats be managed and restored?

wetland restoration, tourism

What are some case studies we have done where habitats damaged by human activity have been restored?

Studland Bay sand dunes

Managed retreat at Medmerry

Rainforest management

What are wetlands?

a landscape where the soil is saturated with water year round:

‘kidney of the environment’

they filter water before it returns to the oceans from land

important carbon store

habitat → high biodiversity

• low energy water (plants slow the flow) → safe for animals

What is wetland restoration?

bringing back animals and plants to areas that have been

drained/polluted/degraded

Why would wetlands be drained?

for farming or development

State and describe each stage of wetland restoration.

Removing pollution + Invasive species

• cleaning up pollution improves water quality

• removing invaders allows natives to thrive

Reintroducing natural water flow

• water might be pumped back in

• coastal→ mangroves/salt marshes to prevent erosion

Planting native vegetation (mangroves, reeds)

• native plants help stabilise wetland soils + provide habitats

Restoring wildlife

• some projects bring back species that were lost due to habitat destruction

Controlling water levels

• dams/barriers adjusted to maintain natural levels

• some cases→ wetlands become natural flood management areas

What is ecotourism?

responsible, sustainable travel that focuses on minimising negative environmental impact

Give some background on Maldives + tourism there.

Maldives- at risk of sea level rise

are 26 coral atolls- ring shapes coral reef structures that surround a central lagoon

have a thriving tourism industry:

2019- 1.7M visited = over 56% of the GDP

What are the positive impacts of tourism on the area?

local ownership of resorts are higher than many other developing countries (still low)

investment in renewable tech by resorts

job creation

tax revenue from tourism → gov. invested in education

What are the negative impacts of tourism on the area?

luxury tourism takes up lots of energy + water

waste often not separated at source→ reduces recycling

profits from foreign owned resorts repatriated

over half of tourism jobs go to foreigners

non-tourist islands lack infrastructure

dependence on tourism industry

coral reef damage

What is a coral reef?

colonies of 100-1000s of polyps (marine invertebrates)

exoskeletons of calcium carbonate + sessile

contain algae- photosynthesis

forming complex 3D reefs

Why are coral reefs important?

protect coastal areas- reduce wave energy

provide highly diverse marine life with an ecosystem

depended on for food, jobs, coastal defence

How are coral reefs threatened?

physical destruction

• coastal development

• dredging

• quarrying

• destructive fishing practices

• boat anchors

• recreational misuse

pollution- from land to coastal waters

overfishing can disrupt the food-web structure

coral harvesting

global warming

• ocean temp + pH prompts algae to leave (coral bleaching)

What have the the Maldives done to protect coral reefs?

Marine Protected Areas

• fishing + damaging activities are restricted

+ resorts take part in reef restoration projects

• artificial reefs

• coral nurseries

Gov has banned harmful coral mining + anchoring boats on reefs

some resorts educate tourists on diving practices

What other measures have the Maldives put in place?

Sustainable Tourism Regulation

• ‘one island, one resort’

• - limit overdevelopment

• - reduces environmental impact

• - many are eco-certified

Water Conservation Measures

• low flow taps + showers

• reusable water bottles provided

• collect + store rainwater

• solar powered water desalinisation facilities

How is the Maldives’ position a catch-22?

a heavily tourism reliant economy

which is a big contributor to carbon emissions

worsening the climate crisis

which is a huge threat to the Maldives

How is tourism affecting Gambia’s coastline?

erosion as hotels + resorts are being built

• speeding up erosion

• removing dunes + vegetation

• Kololi- lost large areas of sand

pollution

• lack of proper waste management

• pollutes water + harms marine life

• beaches unattractive over time

damage to mangroves and ecosystems

• mangroves cleared for space + views

• removes natural protection

• increases erosion

What are some management strategies for coastal impacts?

planting trees

education campaigns

relocating hotels further inland

What is sustainable travel?

accounting for future + current impacts

What is ethical travel?

travel centering the consequences of actions as tourists

What is responsible travel?

sustainable + ethical travel

to make places better for people

to live in + visit in the future

What negative impacts is tourism having in the Gambia?

water shortage as water in over-abstracted for tourists

artificial culture + cultural erosion

seasonal jobs

Which ecotourism destination in Gambia is the case study?

Footsteps

How are Footsteps working to benefit the environment?

water for pool is filtered through reed beds

all the toilets are composting

they have their own veg garden + plant life

ducks are kept for eggs

water comes form tube wells and is stored in tanks

grey water is filtered + used for irrigation

hot water from a coil of black pipe on the roof (sun’s heat)

How are Footsteps working to benefit the local community?

huts + furniture made form local craftsmen’s materials

at the lodge, guests can see traditional acts like making a Jembe drum

guests told about local markets

gives 20% of profit to community

all 22 staff from local village- Gunjur

staff receive training and are paid year-round