Protected Territories

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Protected Territories
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• 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.

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What is a protected territory?

• When humans began exploring the world they
  assumed that the earths 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.

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• In 1872 the United States created Yellowstone
  National Park.
• This was the worlds 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.

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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

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1. Ecological reserves are areas which contain
   plant or animal species which need to be
   protected. These are often called sanctuaries
2. Urban Regional parks These are inhabited
   territories. In these areas authorities try to
   keep the balance between humans and nature.
3. National parks Protected natural areas that are
   open to tourists and visitors.

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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.

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Why should territories be protected?

• A territory should be protected for the following
  reasons.
• Representative of a natural region of a
  country/province.
• Extraordinary landscapes
• Contain rich or rare ecosystems
• Provide educational and recreational areas for
  visitors.

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1. Provide inspiration and allow people to enjoy
   nature.
2. Protect evidence of ancient cultures.
3. Contain ancient physical phenomena (fossils)
4. Encourage scientific research.
5. Economic benefits (tourism and jobs)
6. Symbol of a population or societys identity.

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What can threaten a territory?

• Threats to a territory can be natural or the
  result of human action.
• Exploiting natural resources (mining, logging,
  commercial fishing)
• Pollution such as acid rain, dumping waste,
  pesticides, carbon dioxide
• Agriculture and urban development (more farms and
  bigger cities)

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1. Loss of animal, plant, insect habitats.
2. Too many visitors
3. Poaching hunting and fishing without a licence
4. Climate changes (global warming)
5. The introduction of new animal, plant, or insect
   species into a new territory. This can cause
   other species to go extinct
6. Lack of human interest

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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.

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Who protects a territory?

1. Different levels of government (municipal,
   provincial, federal)
2. International organizations
3. Tourist associations
4. Representatives of local organizations
5. Scientists
6. Environmentalists
7. Animal rights groups

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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.

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• 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.

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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

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• 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.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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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.

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• 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.

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• What could be done to prevent major disasters
  like oil spills and increased pollution?
• The government of Ecuador can outlaw the passage
  of ships through the Galapagos.
• Set up a no shipping zone around the islands.
• Outlaw private boats from docking in Galapagos
  waters.
• Other suggestions?

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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.

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• 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.

What effects could the increased number of
visitors and residents do to the islands?
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Protection vs. Development

• 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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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Which of the threats above is the most dangerous
for the Galapagos?
What could happen to these islands if these
threats are not resolved?
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Something to think about
To conserve nature, should we forbid people
from living in protected territories?
See page 54 in your textbook to help you. You can
expect to see this question on your next test