Ecotourism
any activity involving the interaction between the environment and the economy for the purpose of tourism
In breaking with the current academic discourse, I would like to propose a definition ecotourism that is free from discussions of morality or quality. Ecotourism should be defined more broadly in order to include more activities with environmental impact that are colloquially referred to as ecotourism. For example, by some traditional academic definitions, scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef may not be considered ecotourism because it is not explicitly tied to culture, while by colloquial definitions, it is one of the most popular ecotourism activities in Australia. Click on the button below to read more about the problems with the current definitions of ecotourism and the advantages of broadening the definition.
Albedo
a measure of reflectivity of a surface. This term is often used in connection with global warming. The polar ice caps have a higher albedo than water, which means they can reflect more solar radiation and aid in cooling the Earth. As the ice caps shrink, more solar radiation is absorbed by the Earth and global warming increases.
Biodiversity
the variety of life either globally or in a specific habitat or ecosystem. High biodiversity is often the sign of a healthy ecosystem.
Convergent Evolution
a type of evolution during which two unrelated species evolve analogous structures (features that serve a similar function but evolved separately) in response to similar environmental stressors or to fill similar niches. For example, flightless New Zealand birds evolved increased bone density that is analogous to the bone structure of mammals but is in fact unrelated by evolution
Ecocentricity
as theorized by David Fennell and discussed in (Re)Defining Ecotourism, the emphasis on protecting the environment often via conservation and sustainability
Endemic
native to a specific area. In the context of ecology, an endemic species means it is found nowhere else on earth. Much of New Zealand's flora and fauna is endemic and therefore, found only in New Zealand. Endemic species often create specific conservation restrictions and are highly vulnerable to extinction due to habitat destruction or fragmentation.
Eutheria
one of the three extant orders of mammals including placental mammals such as humans. These mammals are most clearly defined by their reproductive strategy.
Habitat Fragmentation
the dividing of a once continuous habitat into smaller disconnected pieces often as the result of human land use. Habitat fragmentation can greatly reduce species viability and population size.
Hobbit Tourism
an emerging form of ecotourism and agrotourism, primarily to New Zealand, prompted by the filming of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movie trilogies
Insectivore
similar to herbivore or carnivore, an insectivore is an organism that eats insects
Marsupialia
one of the three extant orders of mammals including marsupials such as the kangaroo and koala. These mammals are most clearly defined by their pouches or reproductive strategy.
Marsupials represent an important piece of Earth's ecological history. Australia is one of only two countries in the world to have native mammals from all three extant orders (Marsupialia, Monotremata, and Eutheria). Research into marsupial reproduction provides unique insight into mammalian evolution, human reproduction, and potential new human therapies. Click on the button below to learn more about mammalian classification, current biological research on marsupial reproduction, and to better understand some of the species that could benefit from being protected by ecotourism.
Monotremata
one of the three extant orders of mammals including monotremes such as the platypus and echidna. These mammals are most clearly defined by their ability to lay eggs.
Ocean Acidification
the process by which pH is lowered (meaning acidity increases) and H+ (proton) concentration is increased primarily due to increased levels of dissolved carbon dioxide. This heavily impacts the viability of marine calcifiers.
Rhynchocephalia
an order of reptile. The only extant species is the tuatara. These reptiles are most clearly defined by their unique skull structure.
Tuatara represent an important piece of Earth's ecological history. New Zealand is the only country in the world with extant Rhynchocephalia. Research into tuatara skull morphology provides unique insight into evolution from a species level and genetic level. Click on the button below to learn more about reptile classification, current biological research on tuatara skull morphology, and to better understand a species that could benefit from being protected by ecotourism.