Transcript Protected Territories

 The
image above is satellite image of a
portion of the Galapagos Islands.
 The Galapagos Islands are an example
of a protected territory.
 These islands have a wide variety of
plants, animals, and insects.
 Some of which only exist on these
islands.
 Furthermore, experts believe that there
could be thousands of undiscovered
species living in and around the islands.
What is a protected territory?
 When
humans began exploring the world
they assumed that the earth’s resources
would never run out.
 By the 19th century governments realized
that this is not the case and began
creating protected territories.
 Protected territories: natural areas that
authorities have decided to develop
and regulate to prevent destruction.
 In
1872 the United States created
Yellowstone National Park.
 This was the world’s first protected
territory.
 The reasoning behind this was to protect
a large natural area in order for future
generations.
 Today almost every country has some
form of protected territory. Whether they
are natural or manmade.
Natural Parks
 A natural
park is an area where nature is
protected.
 In geography parks refer to natural parks
not playgrounds or “amusement parks”
 The IUCN or World Conservation Union
oversees the protection of these areas
and provide guidelines for future sites
 There are three types of natural park:
1.
2.
3.
Ecological reserves: are areas which
contain plant or animal species which
need to be protected. These are often
called “sanctuaries”
Urban Regional parks: These are
inhabited territories. In these areas
authorities try to keep the balance
between humans and nature.
National parks: Protected natural areas
that are open to tourists and visitors.
Biodiversity
 One
of the main goals of creating a
protected area is to maintain biodiversity.
 Biodiversity means having many
different types of species in one area.
 Unfortunately many species are dying off
and the earth is loosing its diversity.
 The UN estimates that in 30 years 1/4
of mammal and 1/8 of bird species will
disappear.
Why should territories be protected?
 A territory
should be protected for the
following reasons.
1. Representative of a natural region of a
country/province.
2. Extraordinary landscapes
3. Contain rich or rare ecosystems
4. Provide educational and recreational
areas for visitors.
Provide inspiration and allow people to
enjoy nature.
6. Protect evidence of ancient cultures.
7. Contain ancient physical phenomena
(fossils)
8. Encourage scientific research.
9. Economic benefits (tourism and jobs)
10. Symbol of a population or society’s
identity.
5.
What can threaten a territory?
 Threats
to a territory can be natural or
the result of human action.
1. Exploiting natural resources (mining,
logging, commercial fishing)
2. Pollution such as: acid rain, dumping
waste, pesticides, carbon dioxide
3. Agriculture and urban development
(more farms and bigger cities)
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Loss of animal, plant, insect habitats.
Too many visitors
Poaching: hunting and fishing without a
licence
Climate changes (global warming)
The introduction of new animal, plant, or
insect species into a new territory. This
can cause other species to go extinct
Lack of human interest
For whom do we protect territories?
 We
need to protect territories for the
people of today.
 We also need to protect territories for
future generations.
 This will be done through sustainable
development.
 This means to develop and protect a
territory at the same time.
Who protects a territory?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Different levels of government
(municipal, provincial, federal)
International organizations
Tourist associations
Representatives of local organizations
Scientists
Environmentalists
Animal rights groups
National Parks of Canada and
Quebec
 In
2007 Canada had 42 official national
parks.
 Since this time the number has
increased.
 In the last two years the Canadian
government has added 5 national parks.
 These parks are administered by Parks
Canada, a branch of the federal
government.
 In
Quebec there are 23 national parks.
 These areas are apart from the Canadian
national park.
 In Quebec there are several Native Parks
that are run by specific tribes. Ex:
Pingualuit run by the Kativik Regional
government.
 In Quebec parks are run and protected
by Sépaq.
 The Quebec government is projecting
the creation of 11 new parks.
The Galapagos Islands
 These
are a chain of islands in the Pacific
Ocean west of Ecuador.
 These islands form an archipelago. An
archipelago is a cluster of islands.
 The islands belong to Ecuador.
 The most notable feature is the abundant
and very rare wildlife.
 The Galapagos islands are UNESCO
World heritage site
 These
islands are mostly classified as
national park.
 However, these islands do have a
population of less then 40 000.
 These islands are volcanic. There are
several volcanoes which keep these
islands growing.
 In total there are 125 islands, many of
which are very small.
 In Spanish galapagos means tortoise.
 The
residents of the Galapagos are spread
out over five islands.
 The villages and towns only total an
area of about 3% of the total land
surface of the islands.
 The people make their living from fishing
and tourism.
 Santa Cruz is the most heavily
populated island. It is not part of the
national park.
 Santa Cruz is where most of the hotels
and restaurants are located.
 There
are several research stations in
the Galapagos as well.
 Their main purpose is the conservation
of the islands.
 The largest island is Isabela.
 Their are several islands that have
been closed to tourists. This is due to
the fragile ecosystem on these
islands.
 In 2007 it was placed on the UNESCO
endangered heritage site list. In hopes of
improving conservation efforts.
Traveling Through the Galapagos
 The
Galapagos are located in the Pacific
ocean.
 The ocean waters outside of the
islands are a popular shipping zone.
 Hundreds of container ships and oil
tankers pass these islands every year.
 Some transport ships would even
navigate through the waters of the
Galapagos.
 Along
with shipping there are many
cruise ships that enter the waters of
the Galapagos.
 There are also many private ships that
enter the Galapagos waters.
 All of these ships disrupt the fragile
marine ecosystems.
 Ships filled with people bring increased
pollution to the region.
 Severe problems like oil spills and
sinking ships pose massive threats to
the islands.
 What
could be done to prevent major
disasters like oil spills and increased
pollution?
1. The government of Ecuador can outlaw
the passage of ships through the
Galapagos.
2. Set up a no shipping zone around the
islands.
3. Outlaw private boats from docking in
Galapagos waters.
 Other suggestions?
Residents and Tourists in the
Galapagos
 Although
the Galapagos are roughly
1000km from the coast. These islands get
an increasing number of tourists every
year.
 In the last 35 years the number of
tourists increased almost ten times
(8000 to 70000).
 There has also been an increase in the
amount of flights in and out of the islands.
The Galapagos now have three airports
which could receive up to four flights a day.
 They also receive at least one major cargo
ship per week.
 This increase in tourism has also
prompted many people to move to the
islands.
 The population of these islands today is
over 30000.

Protection vs. Development
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Population growth
Increased tourism
Pollution
Introduction of foreign/harmful species
into the ecosystem. Ex: Goats
Hunting, Poaching, Overfishing
Everything mentioned above is a
threat to the fragile ecosystem of the
Galapagos.
Threat #1: Population Growth
 The
population on the islands has
increased from a few hundred to over
20000.
 Most of this growth is from immigration
from the mainland.
 Ecuadorians move to the islands for jobs
in tourism and commercial fishing.
 This expands the villages on the
islands and threatens the fragile
ecosystem
Threat #2: Increased Tourism
 The
increase in tourism has brought
wealth to the islands.
 However, the more humans that visit
the protected areas means that there is
an increased damage to the
environment.
 Ex: When people walk along the beaches
they destroy seabirds and tortoise eggs.
 Ex: Plastic bags from ships end up in the
water. Tortoises mistake these for jellyfish
and choke to death.
Threat #3: Pollution
 Ships
burn fuel, the increased number
of ships in the Galapagos means that
more fossil fuels end up in the water.
 The greater number of ships and vehicles
means that more oil tankers enter the
region.
 Oil spills and sinking ships pose a
major threat.
 Ex: Oil tanker “Jessica” sinking in 2001
Threat #4: Foreign Species
 Foreign
species have multiplied in
numbers and threaten the native
species of the islands.
 Goats, donkeys, pigs, dogs, cats, ants,
wasps, black rats, and mice are the
biggest threats.
 On many islands authorities have begun
“eliminating” goats and other foreign
species.
Threat #5: Hunting, Poaching,
Overfishing
 Many
species have gone extinct due to
the actions of humans.
 Ex: Industrial fishers drop their nets in
marine preserves despite that fact that
fishing in the island waters is against
the law.
 Ex: Tortoises are killed for their shells,
exotic fish species are killed for their
fins.
Something to think about:
See page 54 in your textbook to help you. You
can expect to see this question on your next test