Climate Change and Tourism - UNEP - Division of Technology ...
Climate Change and Tourism - UNEP - Division of Technology ...
Climate Change and Tourism - UNEP - Division of Technology ...
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78 <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tourism</strong> – Responding to Global Challenges<br />
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Coastal areas are especially vulnerable to natural disturbances where loss <strong>of</strong> habitats, habitat<br />
fragmentation <strong>and</strong> biological invasions may occur. The unique habitats <strong>and</strong> wildlife <strong>of</strong> the low-lying<br />
Northwestern Hawaiian Isl<strong>and</strong>s are threatened by sea level rise, <strong>and</strong> these isl<strong>and</strong>s are important<br />
nurseries for popular species such as sea turtles <strong>and</strong> migratory birds. 380 Increased temperature will<br />
affect the incubation <strong>and</strong> life cycle <strong>of</strong> loggerhead turtle eggs on the much visited isl<strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong> Komodo.<br />
381, 382 Higher temperatures skew the sex ratio towards a predominance <strong>of</strong> females, which may or<br />
may not enhance the fertility <strong>of</strong> the population but any possible beneficial effects will be nullified<br />
as nesting opportunities decrease through a loss <strong>of</strong> nesting beaches due to sea level rise.<br />
Rising sea levels will have impacts on coastal ecosystems, for example mangrove forests <strong>and</strong><br />
wetl<strong>and</strong> areas, including the potential squeezing out <strong>of</strong> habitats especially where coastal margins<br />
are backed by areas <strong>of</strong> intense human use or steep physical terrain which also reduces fresh water<br />
availability. 383<br />
Ecosystems that are already under stress, such as coral reefs that are not adequately protected by<br />
coastal zone management plans, will be the most likely to be severely affected by climate change.<br />
Corals have shown a high sensitivity to minor increases in temperature, rising sea temperatures<br />
will further affect the distribution <strong>and</strong> survival <strong>of</strong> these marine resources. 384<br />
• Temporal shifts in seasons may increase the ranges <strong>of</strong> insects <strong>and</strong> diseases 385 , <strong>and</strong> affect birdsong<br />
386, 387 <strong>and</strong> the flowering <strong>of</strong> plants. 388, 389<br />
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The number <strong>of</strong> invasive species <strong>and</strong> their dissemination is likely to increase <strong>and</strong> already existing<br />
invasive species are expected to exp<strong>and</strong> their areas. For example in the Cape Flora region <strong>of</strong><br />
South Africa, a popular destination for tourists, trees <strong>and</strong> shrubs from Australia, California <strong>and</strong> the<br />
Mediterranean introduced in the nineteenth century are predicted to become far more prevalent<br />
<strong>and</strong> further threaten the high endemism in the region 390 ; four out <strong>of</strong> five protected areas in South<br />
Africa are predicted to lose 10–40% <strong>of</strong> their plant species by the year 2050. 391<br />
Drought <strong>and</strong> desertification may occur in tropical <strong>and</strong> sub-tropical zones, changing patterns<br />
<strong>of</strong> precipitation <strong>and</strong> evaporation are <strong>of</strong> critical importance, <strong>and</strong> extreme flooding will have<br />
implications for large areas.<br />
Increased frequency <strong>and</strong> magnitude <strong>of</strong> extreme events such as cyclones <strong>and</strong> storm surges will<br />
result in loss <strong>of</strong> l<strong>and</strong> area <strong>and</strong> impacts on nesting colonies <strong>and</strong> activities for seabirds <strong>and</strong> turtles,<br />
<strong>and</strong> the migratory patterns <strong>of</strong> species. 392<br />
Many <strong>of</strong> these issues are influenced by human-induced activity other than climate-related changes,<br />
such as development, shipping, mining <strong>and</strong> fishing. However, there is evidence that climate change<br />
will impact on natural ecosystems in a marked way. 393 The significance <strong>of</strong> these impacts for tourism is<br />
diverse. Natural heritage sites are major attractions for tourism, <strong>and</strong> climate-induced changes in these<br />
environments will impact on tourist activity. Conservation International noted in a report on tourism <strong>and</strong><br />
biodiversity that “[…] biodiversity [<strong>and</strong> related aspects] is essential for the continued development <strong>of</strong><br />
the tourism industry”. 394 However, it also noted the lack <strong>of</strong> awareness <strong>of</strong> the <strong>of</strong>ten important synergies<br />
between tourism development <strong>and</strong> nature conservation, 395, 396 <strong>and</strong> the decline <strong>of</strong> tourism because <strong>of</strong><br />
climate change could exacerbate conservation challenges in some regions.<br />
Cultural heritage includes considerations <strong>of</strong> built heritage (historic <strong>and</strong> architectural), archaeological<br />
heritage <strong>and</strong> socio-cultural heritage. Architectural heritage may be affected by climate change in a<br />
number <strong>of</strong> ways. The most obvious is the direct effect <strong>of</strong> rising sea level on those structures that are<br />
near the coast <strong>and</strong> that may be flooded or damaged by coastal erosion. Increased rainfall resulting in<br />
rising water tables will have a effects on the foundations or the fabric <strong>of</strong> buildings. 397 The drainage<br />
<strong>of</strong> l<strong>and</strong> areas may be affected, with consequent increases in area flooding, with consequences for<br />
buildings <strong>and</strong> accessibility. Architectural heritage can also be affected by increased wind speeds, either<br />
through damage to ro<strong>of</strong>s, or through increased wind loading on walls. The latter may adversely affect<br />
ruined buildings such as monasteries or tower houses many <strong>of</strong> which are in exposed locations. In many<br />
cases the impacts <strong>of</strong> climatic conditions will lead to very high costs in order to save world renowned<br />
destinations such as Venice. 398<br />
UNWTO, 9 July 2008