The Greek Islands are
world-renowned tourist destination for their white washed villages, and crystal
clear blue water. Many Greeks rely on tourism as their primary source of
income, so much that economic development has effected ecological conservation.
Many tourists travel to remote islands to experience unforgettable landscape,
warm weather and friendly locals. Ironically, tourism is considered one of the
most detrimental threats to the Mediterranean loggerhead, Caretta caretta.
Tourism has driven
the species to few secluded islands over the last 30 years. The island of
Zakynthos is now one of the most important nesting areas for the loggerhead.
Until the 1980’s, the beaches surrounding this island were undeveloped. As
tourism increased, beach development led an encroachment on nesting areas and
caused turtle populations to drastically decline. The islands night life of greek
tavernas involving live music and lots of dancing creates a tremendous amount
of noise pollution. This interferes with female turtles and disorients them so
much that they are unable to make it to their nesting areas. Some eggs have
been reported to get deposited in the ocean and do not even make it to the
beach. The renting of umbrellas pierces eggs in their nests and has been proven
to lower sand temperature, which alters incubation. Excessive litter gets
mistaken for the loggerheads favorite food, the jellyfish, and is consumed and
leads to death.
The situation in
Greece is one that is not only specific to Zakynthos. World wide, Loggerhead
populations are globally threatened because of human infliction. It is
important to recognize how we are shaping the future of a species that has been
on this earth for 300 million years, and if we do not strive to change our
actions, we will lose them forever.
3 comments:
Where can we learn more about this issue?
Dr. Welch, there's a couple of cool websites that offer more information about this issue! The most interesting/brightly colored website I could find about it is Archelon, the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece (http://www.archelon.gr/index_eng.php). They have list of cool programs, background info and volunteer opportunities. Very neat.
Also there is actually an ecotourism attraction that advertises allowing tourists to volunteer to conserve the loggerhead!
http://www.thetravelword.com/2012/07/13/sea-turtle-conservation-volunteer-vacation-on-the-greek-island-of-zakynthos/
Great resources! This page was especially informative: http://www.archelon.gr/eng/habitat_zak.php?row=row3
And doesn't a turtle-saving holiday on a Greek isle sound divine?!
Post a Comment