Search Results (16)

The increasing popularity of e-biking and e-mountain biking offers new opportunities for sustainable tourism and environmental education, particularly in mountain regions. This study focuses on the Italy–Switzerland “E-Bike” project, which integrates e-bike-friendly routes with scientific and cultural education across the Alps. By analyzing key points of interest along the routes, particularly glaciers and earth pyramids in Lombardy, we explore strategies for sustainable management, conservation, and public engagement. Glaciers (Forni and Ventina), facing rapid retreat due to climate change, represent sensitive environments requiring monitoring and visitor regulation. Similarly, earth pyramids in Postalesio exemplify fragile landforms shaped by erosion, requiring visitor management. This study highlights the need for strategic promotion, clear scientific communication, and sustainable tourism practices to balance conservation with accessibility. E-biking facilitates low-impact exploration of geosites, enhancing public awareness of environmental challenges while minimizing ecological footprints. Innovative digital tools (QR-coded virtual guides) enhance visitor education and engagement. By integrating e-bike tourism with geoheritage conservation, this study proposes guidelines for managing soft mobility in mountain areas, combining conservation needs with accessibility, and fostering public engagement. These findings contribute to broader discussions on sustainable tourism development, offering a replicable model for other regions seeking to harmonize recreation with environmental stewardship. Full article

In September 2024, following two rare storms, Lake Iriqui in southern Morocco experienced a remarkable revival after five decades of desiccation. Historically, the lake played an important role as one of the largest water bodies before the Sahara Desert, serving as a critical stopover in migratory routes for various bird species. Two field missions documented this event: the first confirmed the lake’s reappearance, while the second recorded the resurgence of the ecosystem and the return of migratory birds, last observed in the lake in 1968. The lake’s surface water extent, which had been completely dry, expanded dramatically, reaching over 80 km² after the first storm and subsequently increasing to approximately 146 km² following the second. This event has drawn considerable attention from international and national media. The revival was monitored using satellite imagery from Landsat 8 and 9 and Sentinel-2A, processed through Google Earth Engine (GEE), with the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) applied to detect water presence. A time-series analysis revealed significant changes in the lake’s surface water extent following the rainfall. This study emphasizes the need for proactive support to preserve Lake Iriqui, aligning with sustainable development goals: SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). These goals highlight the importance of sustainable water resource management, biodiversity conservation, and eco-tourism initiatives to benefit local communities. Full article

The main objective of this study is to present the feasibility of rerouting the EuroVelo 6 through the Fruška Gora National Park (Serbia) as a sustainable eco-tourism product. Our research was conducted with a survey and field interviews. The first part of this research involved consulting 717 cyclists from six EU countries, and the opinions of local entrepreneurs and employees of the national park were also investigated. An architect made a “blueprint” info board as a proposal for trails within the national park. The purpose of conducting this research was to show the importance of retracing an international route. Cyclists expressed their satisfaction with the proposed F1 track to the greatest extent. The results of the survey of employees of the NP suggested the sustainability of cycling tourists because they showed great responsibility in their behavior, and the results of the domestic entrepreneurs particularly pointed to some economic aspects of the development of cycling, as well as its impact on the empowerment of women in rural destinations. It was concluded that rerouting the “Danube Cycle Route” through the Fruška Gora National Park is feasible and sustainable. The results obtained in this study provide a justification for this retracing because it turns out that cyclists are desirable, responsible, and sustainable tourists who have a significant impact on the destinations and people they are directed to. This research will be applied to every attractive part along EuroVelo 6, thus expanding the network of cycle paths. Full article

Ecotourism routes serve as powerful tools for fostering environmental awareness. To achieve this, it is crucial to design itineraries within natural parks that strike a balance between visitor experience and ecological preservation. Limiting the duration of visits prevents undue strain on both visitors and ecosystems. Effective routes should showcase high biodiversity, traversing diverse sites to enhance knowledge acquisition. Considering natural factors such as light conditions and climate, it is prudent to tailor visiting times to optimize the experience. Therefore, it makes sense to incorporate time-dependent benefits at arcs and the possibility of introducing waiting times at nodes in the design models. These two characteristics have enriched the optimization models developed to solve the tourist trip design problem based on maximizing benefit only when points of interest are visited. However, the specific application of these aforementioned characteristics and enriched optimization models to the arc orientation problem remains yet to be reported on and published in the literature. Our contribution addresses this gap, proposing a route design model with scenic value in the arches of the graph where the benefits perceived by travelers are maximized, taking into account a diversity of evaluations depending on the time of starting the trip through each arc. Full article

In recent years, ecological tourism has become very important as it contributes significantly to sustainable development. In order to assess the potential for ecotourism and cultural-archaeological attributes, we studied the plant diversity of 10 traditionally visited natural routes of the valley of Cusco, Peru. Plant gamma diversity was represented by 384 species of vascular plants, with 220 genera, and 69 families; the most diverse were: Asteraceae with 93 species, Poaceae (36), and Fabaceae (15). The species with the highest frequency in the 10 routes are: Amaranthus caudatus, Escallonia resinosa, Stenomesson pearcei, and Baccharis buxifolia. Route 2 (Picol-Huaqoto) was the one with the greatest alpha diversity with 120 species. The CHAO-1 richness estimator estimates a gamma diversity of 570 species for all of the Cusco Valley. The Bray–Curtis beta diversity shows a high similarity (55%) and three floristic groups as determined by a non-metric multidimensional analysis (NMDS) and cluster analysis. The highest concentration of flowering plant species is grouped mainly during the rainy season (R² = 0.19), and this relationship is significantly different from the dry season (p < 0.005). The integrative biological–cultural analysis identified routes R8, R10, R6, R7, and R2 as those with the greatest potential for ecotourism use in the Cusco Valley. The plant diversity and cultural–archaeological offerings along the tourist routes documented in this study present significant opportunities for the city of Cusco to attract both national and foreign tourists. Additionally, this study highlights the importance of prioritizing conservation and preservation efforts for these areas. Full article

Spring water is important for human consumption, domestic use, agricultural activities, and ecotourism in the Buenavista de Cuéllar Aquifer (ABC), southern Mexico. The objective of this research was to assess the health risk from fecal coliforms, as well as the non-carcinogenic risk to human health for different age groups, by studying the oral and dermal routes. The analysis of the cartography of high-priority springs (the result of Multicriteria Evaluation (MCE)), access routes, and knowledge of the areas with high social insecurity risk enabled the selection of 20 springs to be sampled. In situ parameters were measured, major ions, fecal coliforms, and Potentially Toxic Elements (PTE). The non-carcinogenic health risk results indicated a higher risk by the oral route in children (average Hazard index (HI) value of 0.6371) and a higher risk by the dermal route in adults (average HI value of 1.2378). The highest dermal risks are in the south-southeast of the study area. On the other hand, the assessment of health risks due to fecal coliforms resulted in a medium risk for the dry season and a high risk for the rainy season. The results of this research will serve as a key reference for the management and protection of springs in order to preserve human health. Full article

This paper discusses an important issue for today’s mobile world striving for sustainable development, namely ecotourism. The major objective of the study presented in this article was to carry out a comparative analysis of the conventional tourist trip along the Kharkov (Ukraine)–Varna (Bulgaria) route in an electric car and by air transport. The main criteria for comparing two variants of tourist trip were cost price, time, mobility, and incidental cost. The authors used the Pareto method and the shortest distance to the target method. Comparative analysis of the travel options “electric car” and “air transport” by the Pareto method and the method of the shortest distance to the target showed that traveling by electric car is almost one and a half times more profitable than traveling by plane. Full article

Aiming to address the problems of the current research on water ecotourism routes, a water ecotourism route recommendation model based on an improved cockroach optimization algorithm is proposed. The aim is to recommend the tour routes with the lowest exhaust emissions. Firstly, depending on tourists’ once-visited water scenic spots, a scenic spot recommendation model based on the improved item-based collaborative filtering algorithm is set up. Then, by combining the recommended scenic spots and integrating the random transportation modes selected by tourists, a tour route recommendation model based on an improved cockroach optimization algorithm is constructed, which can output the tour route that produces the lowest exhaust emissions. Finally, The sample experiment shows that, on the basis of combining with the multivariate random transportation modes, the proposed algorithm has greater advantages than the tour routes planned by the traditional electronic maps, as it can output the tour routes with the lowest exhaust emissions, reduce the damage exhaust emissions cause in the urban water environments and to water resources, and effectively protect the urban water ecological environments. Full article

Selecting the most scenic viewpoints in an island forest park can provide a scientific basis for island ecotourism planning. In this paper, considering the influence of climatic conditions on sightseeing, landscape factors, accessibility factors, and seasonal change factors are selected from the perspective of time and space to analyze the landscape spatiotemporal characteristics, and the construction of a landscape spatiotemporal perception evaluation model and the analysis of influencing factors are carried out. The results show that the evaluation model for landscape spatiotemporal perception factors can quantitatively describe tourists’ comprehensive perception of a landscape in different regions and time periods in ecotourism areas, and can identify the spatiotemporal characteristics of landscape perception. Case studies preliminarily prove the feasibility of the model and calculation process. This method provides a strong reference for the development and planning of island tourism, especially providing new ideas and methods for the design of sightseeing routes in the development and planning of small-scale scenic viewpoints, which can enrich island tourism planning. Full article

Tourism is a phenomenon that dates back to ancient times. Ancient Greek philosophers recognised, adopted, and promoted the concept of rest-based tourism. Ecotourism is a particular type of tourism that connects with activities that take place in nature, without harming it, along with the herbal and animal wealth. According to estimates, the global ecotourism industry is currently booming due to various reasons, and it is becoming an important factor of sustainable regional development. This article presents the vision, work, and outcomes of project AdVENt, a project focusing natively in sustainable ecotourism through natural science and technological innovation. AdVENt’s study area includes the National Parks of Oiti (or Oeta) and Parnassus in Central Greece, where there is a remarkable native flora with a high endemism rate integrated with areas of cultural value and national and European hiking routes and paths of varying difficulty. Full article

Chinese pangolin populations are declining globally due to illegal wildlife trades in its range countries, especially China and Vietnam, where the largest markets for this species exist. Identifying the trade routes is crucial for developing conservation plans for the pangolin and understanding the attributes of the individuals involved in the illegal trade. We aimed to identify local trade routes and the socio-economic status of people involved in pangolin trades from the Gaurishankar Conservation Area [a Protected Area (PA)] and the Ramechhap district [a non-Protected Area (non-PA)] of Nepal. We found that pangolin traders were typically poor, illiterate, unemployed, male, and of working age (17–40 years old). Confiscation rates of pangolin parts were higher in non-PAs than Pas as the illegal trade routes seemed to differ between the PAs and non-PAs. From 2014 to 2018, the prices of pangolin scales in PAs and non-PAs increased by 50% and 67%, respectively. Our results highlight locals facilitating the trade of pangolins, therefore we recommend the need for other income generating sources such as ecotourism or providing incentives to promote local industries as well as to establish Community Based Anti-Poaching Units among range countries and trade route countries to control the trade of this globally threatened species. Full article

Small-scale fisheries (SSFs) have been playing a crucial role in meeting the basic needs of millions of people around the world. Despite this, the sustainability of global fisheries is a growing concern, and the factors enabling or constraining the sustainable management of small-scale fisheries remain poorly understood. Hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha) is the single most valuable species harvested in Bangladesh waters, serves nutrition, income, and employment to the large population. This study analyzed the state and challenges of hilsa fishery in the Gangetic River systems (Padma and Meghna Rivers) by using two frameworks, namely the social-ecological systems (SES) and drivers-pressure-state-impact-responses (DPSIR) frameworks. Primary data for this analysis were collected by in-depth interviews (n = 130) and focus group discussions (n = 8) with various stakeholders in the hilsa fisheries. The perspectives explored here have been both critical and constructive, including the identification of problems and suggestions for improving the management of this particular social-ecological system. Hilsa fisheries, however, have come under severe threat since 2003 because of population growth, overfishing, pollution, climate change, the disruption of migration routes due to siltation, etc. All these have caused reduced catches and less stable incomes for fishers. This, in turn, has led to poverty, malnutrition, social tensions, stakeholder conflicts, and debt cycles amongst more impoverished fishing communities. These problems have been compounded by improved fishing technology amongst larger-scale ventures, the use of illegal fishing gears, and the non-compliance of government fishery management programs. Recommendations include the promotion of community-supported fisheries, the enhancement of stakeholder’s social resilience, the introduction of co-management approach, an increase in incentives and formal financial supports, and possible community-managed sustainable ecotourism including hilsa fishing-based tourism. Full article

Integrated coastal management (ICM) relies on the inclusion of economic issues within marine ecology. To assess the progress of this integration, we applied topic modelling and network analysis to explore the pertinent literature (583 Isi-WoS, and 5459 Scopus papers). We classified the topics of interest (i.e., concepts, approaches, and sectors) that combined ecological and economic issues within marine science, we aggregated these topics in fields pertinent to ICM, and tracked the knowledge-exchange between these fields by using an information-flow network. Main findings were: (i) the high trans-disciplinary fashion of studies about marine protection and of those about commercial fisheries, (ii) the weak interaction between studies focusing on potential biohazards and those about environmental management, (iii) the isolation, in the overall information-flow, of studies about ecotourism and aquaculture. We included in a roadmap all the integration routes we detected within ICM, based on the combination of ecological and economic issues. We conclude that, to improve integration, ICM should: (i) Exploit marine protection as a bridge between ecological and economic concepts and approaches, and between maritime economy sectors, (ii) employ systems ecology to pursue trans-disciplinary investigations, (iii) complement systems ecology with citizen science by means of inclusive economic initiatives, such as ecotourism. Full article

Land use and land cover change (LUCC) is an important driver of ecosystem function and services. Thus, LUCC analysis may lay foundation for landscape planning, conservation and management. It is especially true for alpine landscapes, which are more susceptible to climate changes and human activities. However, the information on LUCC in sacred landscape is limited, which will hinder the landscape conservation and development. We chose Kailash Sacred Landscape in China (KSL-China) to investigate the patterns and dynamics of LUCC and the driving forces using remote sensing data and meteorological data from 1990 to 2008. A supervised classification of land use and land cover was established based on field survey. Rangelands presented marked fluctuations due to climatic warming and its induced drought, for example, dramatic decreases were found in high- and medium-cover rangelands over the period 2000–2008. And recession of most glaciers was also observed in the study period. Instead, an increase of anthropogenic activities accelerated intensive alteration of land use, such as conversion of cropland to built-up land. We found that the change of vegetation cover was positively correlated with growing season precipitation (GSP). In addition, vegetation cover was substantially reduced along the pilgrimage routes particularly within 5 km of the routes. The findings of the study suggest that climatic warming and human disturbance are interacted to cause remarkable LUCC. Tourism development was responsible land use change in urban and pilgrimage routes. This study has important implications for landscape conservation and ecosystem management. The reduction of rangeland cover may decrease the rangeland quality and pose pressure for the carrying capacity of rangelands in the KSL-China. With the increasing risk of climate warming, rangeland conservation is imperative. The future development should shift from livestock-focus animal husbandry to service-based ecotourism in the sacred landscape. Full article

Tha-kha Floating Market is a famous tourist attraction in Tha Kha sub-district, Amphawa district, Samut Songkram Province, Thailand. There are Thai paddle-boats for tourists to get close to nature and local people lifestyle along the canals. The objectives of this research were (1) to study species diversity, feeding behavior and status of birds in the research area. (2) to analyze abundance and similarity of birds in the research area. The data was carried out by field survey of species of birds and their behaviors sighted directly and from their calls by using line transect method then classify species, feeding behavior and status of birds, analyze their abundance and similarity in three routes. Three boat touring routes were surveyed; route 1 (Tha Kha floating market—homestay), route 2 (Tha Kha floating market—Thai traditional sugar making kiln), and route 3 (Thai traditional sugar making kiln—resort). The survey was conducted in the morning from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and in the afternoon from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. One survey was made each month from April 2017–March 2018. The result of this research found that there were 15 orders, 37 families and 74 species of birds. The highest number of bird species in 3 routes was 49 species in December and 47 species in November accordingly because it was migratory season of migratory birds in the research area. According to bird feeding behavior, the maximum insectivorous bird species of 35 were found in 3 routes. According to status of birds, 52 resident birds, 9 migratory birds, 13 resident and migratory birds were found in 3 routes. According to bird abundance, 21 bird species were in level 5, 7 bird species in level 4, 20 bird species in level 3, 9 bird species in level 2 and 17 bird species in level 1. According to bird similarity index, the similarity index between route 1 and route 3 was 0.814. The community also organized eco-touring activities by using Thai paddle-boats. So the birds are as indicators of natural balance of local ecosystem. Full article