INVESTIGADORES
YORIO Pablo Martin
artículos
Título:
Tourism and recreation at seabird breeding sites in patagonia, Argentina: current concerns and future prospects
Autor/es:
YORIO, P.; FRERE, E.; GANDINI, P.; SCHIAVINI, A.
Revista:
BIRD CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL
Editorial:
CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS
Referencias:
Año: 2001 vol. 11 p. 231 - 245
ISSN:
0959-2709
Resumen:
Seabird colonies often constitute
valuable tourist attractions. Different species differ in their sensitivity to
human disturbance and, although birds may habituate to visitors, inappropriate
intrusions at poorly managed sites may result in adverse effects on breeding individuals.
The rapid growth of wildlife-based tourism and recreation in coastal Patagonia, Argentina,
presents opportunities for significant economic benefits but also raises
concerns about the potential effects on seabird colonies. Sixteen seabird
species breed along the Patagonian coast, with Magellanic Penguin Spheniscus
magellanicus being one of the main tourist attractions. At least 27 sites
where seabirds breed are currently visited by people either through organized
tourism or for recreational purposes, 19 of which are included in coastal
protected areas. The number of visitors per year varies from 50 to more than 100,000,
depending on the site. Negative effects on seabird reproduction in Patagonia are through direct destruction of nests or
their contents and desertion of offspring, particularly at locations where
seabirds nest in association with or near to colonies of avian predators.
Tourism and recreation activities are growing in extent and intensity at most
coastal sectors in Patagonia. Current trends
in coastal recreation activities may result in negative effects on breeding
seabirds unless management guidelines are developed and enforced. Information
shows that tourism in coastal Patagonia is compatible
with seabird conservation if appropriately managed. Given the rapid increase in
the interest in visiting seabird colonies in Patagonia,
several management tools such as sanctuaries, the limitation of visitor numbers
and both temporal and spatial zoning, need to be implemented in the short term.