832012 (Eco-) tourism & management of protected areas

Type
Lecture and field trip
Semester hours
2
Lecturer (assistant)
Hille, Sabine
Organisation
Offered in
Sommersemester 2025
Languages of instruction
Englisch
Content

In nature reserves there is an increase of tourist visits that is used for advertising these regions under the name "ecotourism" . Tourism inluences quaity of reserve and the animal populations. The relevance of the reserves as habitats for animal populations as well as for tourists is topic of this lecture that will cover international examples. Particularly the impact of tourism on physiology and behaviour and their habitats of animals will be covered.

In the example of the Nationalpark Neusiedlersee we will in theory and in practice experience tourisms management and will discuss the management concept with Nationalpark Managers in the Park. We will experience ecotourism and biodiversity in this natutal site in a field trip (field trip, not in Covid times)
Previous knowledge expected

VERY GOOD ENGLISH ORAL AND WRITTEN
KNOWLEDGE IN ZOOLOGY
Objective (expected results of study and acquired competences)

The term ecotourism should be defined and the principles and rules behind should be understood and examples should be named. The importance of ecotourism in an international context should be understood and explained in different scenarios and reserve types. This includes trphy hunting, national parks, island refugees. Impact of tourism on animals and their habitats should be listed, explained and differentiated and applied to new international cases. With the field trip example of the National Park Danube flatlands the concept of ecotourism should be understood comprehensively and in detail. The student should learn Pros and cons of the concept exempliefied also at the National Park Neusiedlersee. The numerous facettes on how shaping good ecotourism should be known (selling local products, ranger systems, habitat management...) and the students should be able to transfer his knowledge to other National Parks. The student should experience and learn the value of natural sites by exploring natural habitats in the National Park, by experiencing themself the various opportunities of educational possibilities. Parameters in animal physiology and behhaviour shall be named and explained with examples. Cometence of discussing and critical analysing with students from other countries and study subjects shall be strengthened.


What is ecotourism and what is its role in protection of ecosystems, protected areas and animal populations? Management of protected areas should primarily suit the needs of specific wildlife species but there is increasing interest by tourist managers to take advantage of nature reserves for the use of Ecotourism.
You can find more details like the schedule or information about exams on the course-page in BOKUonline.