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5 All forms of life are highly interactive with the Key West environment in which they exist, and also with other life forms. In the 20th century this premise gave rise to the concept of ecosystems, which can be defined as any situation where there is interaction between organisms and their environment. Ecosystems are composed of a variety of abiotic and biotic components that function in an interrelated way.[32] Some of the more important components are: soil, atmosphere, radiation from the sun, water, and living organisms. Each living organism has a continual relationship with every other element that makes up its environment. Within the ecosystem, species are connected and dependent upon one another in the food chain, and exchange energy and matter between themselves as well as with their environment. Michael Pidwirny, in Fundamentals of Physical Geography, describes the concept as follows: Ecosystems are dynamic entities composed of the biological community and the abiotic environment. An ecosystem's abiotic and biotic composition and structure is determined by the state of a number of interrelated environmental factors. Changes in any of these factors (for example: nutrient availability, temperature, light intensity, grazing intensity, and species population density) will result in dynamic changes to the nature of these systems. For example, a fire in the temperate deciduous forest completely changes the structure of that system. There are no longer any large trees, most of the mosses, herbs, and shrubs that occupy the forest floor are gone, and the nutrients that were stored in the biomass are quickly released into the soil, atmosphere and hydrologic system. After a short time of recovery, the community that was once large mature trees now becomes a community of grasses, herbaceous species, and tree seedlings.[33] Every species has limits of tolerance to factors that affect its survival, reproductive success and ability to continue to thrive and interact sustainably with the rest of its environment, which in turn may have effects on these factors for many other species or even on the whole of life.[34] The concept of an ecosystem is thus an important subject of study, as such study provides information needed to make decisions about how human life may interact in a way that allows the various ecosystems to be sustained for future use rather than used up or otherwise rendered ineffective. For the purpose of such study, a unit of smaller size is called a microecosystem. For example, an ecosystem can be a stone and all the life under it. A macroecosystem might involve a whole ecoregion, with its drainage basin.[35] The following Key West ecosystems are examples of the kinds currently under intensive study:
Generally speaking, ecotourism focuses on local cultures, wilderness
adventures, volunteering, personal growth and learning new ways to live on the
planet. It is typically defined as travel to destinations where the flora,
fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions. Responsible ecotourism
includes programs that minimize the adverse effects of traditional tourism on
the natural environment, and enhance the cultural integrity of local people.
Therefore, in addition to evaluating environmental and cultural factors,
initiatives by hospitality providers to promote recycling, energy efficiency,
water re-use, and the creation of economic opportunities for local communities
are an integral part of ecotourism. For many countries, ecotourism is not so much seen as a marginal activity
intended to finance protection of the environment than as a major sector of
national economy and as a means of attracting tourists. For example, in
countries such as Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nepal, Kenya, Madagascar and Antarctica,
ecotourism represents a significant portion of the gross domestic product (or in
Antarctica's case, economic activity).
The
Multi-Environmental Society (MESO)
Nuevo Mundo Expeditions
Terra Incognita Eco Tours
Ela Brasil Tours
Walking Legends Guided Tours
Sapphire Coast EcoTours
The concept of ecotourism is widely misunderstood and, in practice, is often simply used as a marketing tool to promote tourism that is related to nature. Critics claim that ecotourism as practiced and abused often consists of placing a hotel in a splendid landscape, to the detriment of the ecosystem. According to them, ecotourism must above all sensitize people with the beauty and the fragility of nature. They condemn some operators as "green-washing" their operations — that is, using the label of "ecotourism" and "green-friendly", while behaving in environmentally irresponsible ways. Although academics argue about who can be classified as an ecotourist, and
there is precious little statistical data, some estimate that more than five
million ecotourists — the majority of the worldwide population — come from the
United States, with other ecotourists coming from Europe, Canada and Australia. |
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