Ecotourism’s Promise and Peril: A Biological Evaluation

Intended as a guide for wildlife managers and ecotourism operators, as well as interested ecotourists, this book addresses the biological principles governing how ecotourism affects wildlife. The introductory chapters focus on four key responses to human visitation―behavioral, physiological, ecological, and evolutionary.  Readers will discover ecotourism’s effects on biodiversity in connection with various industries that are habitat or taxonomically specific:  fish tourism (including both freshwater and marine), marine mammal tourism, the huge industry centered on terrestrial animals, and the well-studied industry of penguin tourism.

Given that the costs and benefits of ecotourism cannot be meaningfully assessed without understanding the human context, particular attention is given to how ecotourism has been used as part of community development. In closing, the book synthesizes the current state of knowledge regarding best practices for reducing human impacts on wildlife. The final chapter highlights key research questions that must be addressed to provide more evidence-based guidelines and policy.

Daniel T. Blumstein is a Professor at the University of California Los Angeles’ Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and at the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability. His work involves integrated studies of animal social behavior, animal communication, and antipredator behavior, and has helped develop the field of wildlife conservation behavior. He is the author of over 350 scientific publications and has written or edited six books, including An Ecotourist’s Guide to Khunjerab National Park.