Event Title
Wildlife trail network in the Tofino Mudflats Wildlife Management Area: a protection or disturbance?
Description
The Tofino Mudflats Wildlife Management Area (WMA) includes 1,770 hectares of tidal flats and 338 hectares of lands. The Mudflats have received recognition for providing important foraging habitat for tens of thousands of migrating birds every year. As tourism continues its growth in the area, dispersion is a likely and probable consequence. The concern is that with increasing tourism, the mudflats may become increasingly used as a destination. With increasing tourism to the area there will most likely follow an increase in disturbance to wildlife and a decrease in the inherent integrity. There is interest to build a wildlife trail network and viewing structures in the area. How will this action affect the Mudflats and the wildlife within? There is a delicate balance between when, and when not to, act. When does 'doing nothing' change from protection to disregard? Or, conversely, when does 'taking initiative' change from protection to initiating degradation? This Honours project will look to answer these questions by gathering needed ecological data through Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping standards, collecting more detailed ecological data along known trails and potential viewing locations, and examining tourism and recreation impact literature.
Document Type
Event
Start Date
8-3-2008 8:00 AM
Subject - LCSH
Wildlife management areas--Effect of humans on--British Columbia--Clayoquot Sound
End Date
8-3-2008 5:00 PM
Session
Resource Management: Coastal British Columbia
Genre/Form
abstracts (summaries)
Type
event
Geographic Coverage
Clayoquot Sound (B.C.)
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Keywords
human environment, ecological survey, recreation and tourism, Clayoquot Sound
Wildlife trail network in the Tofino Mudflats Wildlife Management Area: a protection or disturbance?
The Tofino Mudflats Wildlife Management Area (WMA) includes 1,770 hectares of tidal flats and 338 hectares of lands. The Mudflats have received recognition for providing important foraging habitat for tens of thousands of migrating birds every year. As tourism continues its growth in the area, dispersion is a likely and probable consequence. The concern is that with increasing tourism, the mudflats may become increasingly used as a destination. With increasing tourism to the area there will most likely follow an increase in disturbance to wildlife and a decrease in the inherent integrity. There is interest to build a wildlife trail network and viewing structures in the area. How will this action affect the Mudflats and the wildlife within? There is a delicate balance between when, and when not to, act. When does 'doing nothing' change from protection to disregard? Or, conversely, when does 'taking initiative' change from protection to initiating degradation? This Honours project will look to answer these questions by gathering needed ecological data through Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping standards, collecting more detailed ecological data along known trails and potential viewing locations, and examining tourism and recreation impact literature.