Ecotourism and Wildlife Conservation in the Anthropocene
- 1st Edition - March 1, 2026
- Author: David B. Weaver
- Language: English
- Paperback ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 3 2 9 9 6 - 8
- eBook ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 3 2 9 9 7 - 5
Ecotourism and Wildlife Conservation in the Anthropocene innovates by demonstrating ecotourism as an inclusive industry positioned to mobilize all people as agents of wildlife… Read more
Ecotourism and Wildlife Conservation in the Anthropocene innovates by demonstrating ecotourism as an inclusive industry positioned to mobilize all people as agents of wildlife conservation. The Anthropocene and post-1950 "Great Acceleration" of human populations have dramatically altered our planet, and ecotourism is often framed as a niche activity that has limited potential to promote conservation of regional biodiversity. By showing that ecotourism as a sustainable, educational, and nature-focused activity can occur anywhere, the sector can better support the preservation and rehabilitation of diverse environments, networks, and natural communities. Accordingly, Ecotourism and Wildlife Conservation in the Anthropocene presents a cogent argument for a new management paradigm based on broader parameters of engagement. Here, all people are empowered to co-create a better future. Concurrently, the book provides practical advice for achieving this future through the examination of relevant real-world management considerations. For students and young professionals in the wildlife conservation discipline, the book conveys the growing importance of ecotourism as a vehicle for preserving and rehabilitating threatened habitats, flora, and fauna. Frequent case studies focused on Crawford Lake provide a focal point that personifies the parameters and possibilities of ecotourism in the Anthropocene and helps to integrate the comprehensive scope of this book.
- Illustrates the linkages between ecotourism, biodiversity, and wildlife conservation
- Demonstrates the necessity and practicality of expanding the settings and markets constituting ecotourism
- Establishes an inclusive framework for global stakeholder engagement with ecotourism
- Empowers local communities, businesses, and ordinary people to co-create and engage in beneficial ecotourism and conservation
- Facilitates student learning with clear chapter structure, keyword definitions, discussion boxes, case studies, and chapter review questions
Advanced undergraduate students, graduate students, and young professionals in the fields of wildlife conservation, resource management, and ecotourism
1. Centrality of Nature-based Attractions in Ecotourism Introduction
1.1 Welcome to Crawford Lake
1.2 Centrality of wildlife and other natural attractions
1.3 Increased specialisation
Summary
2. Imperative of Triple Bottom Line Sustainability Introduction
2.1 Sustainability as dominant cultural & social paradigm
2.2 Two ecotourism spectrums
2.3 Relationship to other forms of tourism
Summary
3. Evolving Markets Introduction
3.1 Demographic characteristics
3.2 Purpose, motivations & values
3.3 Communication
3.4 Emerging markets
3.5 Difficult questions of magnitude & growth
Summary
4. Public Protected Areas Introduction
4.1 Magnitude
4.2 Distribution
4.3 Internal concentration of activity
4.4 Stages of development
4.5 Marine protected areas
Summary
5. Other Settings Introduction
5.1 Private protected areas
5.2 Indigenous spaces
5.3 Unconventional spaces
5.4 Ecotourism events [Possible Vignette: Japanese whale festivals]
5.5 Linear ecotourism
5.6 Reputational destinations [Possible Vignette: Does Dominica deserve its ecotourism reputation?] 5.7 Future ecotourism hotspots [Possible Vignette: Socotra island, Yemen]
Summary
6. Ecological Impacts Introduction
6.1 Transit impacts
6.2 Positive destination impacts
6.3 Negative destination impacts
6.4 Wildlife & environmental ethics [Possible Vignette: Elephants in Thailand]
Summary
7. Human Impacts Introduction
7.1 Local communities
7.2 National, regional, & municipal impacts
7.3 Ecotourists
Summary
8. Quality Control Tools Introduction
8.1 Quality control tool “multiverse”
8.2 Certification: The holy grail?
8.3 Management systems & best practices
8.4 Codes of conduct & commitment [Possible Vignette: Indigenised visitor code in northern Canada] 8.5 Education/outreach tools
8.6 Resource accounting tools
8.7 Awards & recognition programs [Possible Vignette: Eco-Warrior Award, Kenya]
8.8 Public sector regulation
Summary
9. Business Considerations Introduction
9.1 Sector parameters
9.2 Revisiting the imperative of financial sustainability
9.3 Risk management
9.4 Ecolodges
9.5 Tour operators
9.6 Expedition cruises [Possible Vignette: Lindblad Expeditions]
Summary
10. Conclusion: Imagining the Future of Ecotourism Introduction
10.1 Winding down the Great Acceleration
10.2 Reimagining Crawford Lake in the evolving Anthropocene
Summary
1.1 Welcome to Crawford Lake
1.2 Centrality of wildlife and other natural attractions
1.3 Increased specialisation
Summary
2. Imperative of Triple Bottom Line Sustainability Introduction
2.1 Sustainability as dominant cultural & social paradigm
2.2 Two ecotourism spectrums
2.3 Relationship to other forms of tourism
Summary
3. Evolving Markets Introduction
3.1 Demographic characteristics
3.2 Purpose, motivations & values
3.3 Communication
3.4 Emerging markets
3.5 Difficult questions of magnitude & growth
Summary
4. Public Protected Areas Introduction
4.1 Magnitude
4.2 Distribution
4.3 Internal concentration of activity
4.4 Stages of development
4.5 Marine protected areas
Summary
5. Other Settings Introduction
5.1 Private protected areas
5.2 Indigenous spaces
5.3 Unconventional spaces
5.4 Ecotourism events [Possible Vignette: Japanese whale festivals]
5.5 Linear ecotourism
5.6 Reputational destinations [Possible Vignette: Does Dominica deserve its ecotourism reputation?] 5.7 Future ecotourism hotspots [Possible Vignette: Socotra island, Yemen]
Summary
6. Ecological Impacts Introduction
6.1 Transit impacts
6.2 Positive destination impacts
6.3 Negative destination impacts
6.4 Wildlife & environmental ethics [Possible Vignette: Elephants in Thailand]
Summary
7. Human Impacts Introduction
7.1 Local communities
7.2 National, regional, & municipal impacts
7.3 Ecotourists
Summary
8. Quality Control Tools Introduction
8.1 Quality control tool “multiverse”
8.2 Certification: The holy grail?
8.3 Management systems & best practices
8.4 Codes of conduct & commitment [Possible Vignette: Indigenised visitor code in northern Canada] 8.5 Education/outreach tools
8.6 Resource accounting tools
8.7 Awards & recognition programs [Possible Vignette: Eco-Warrior Award, Kenya]
8.8 Public sector regulation
Summary
9. Business Considerations Introduction
9.1 Sector parameters
9.2 Revisiting the imperative of financial sustainability
9.3 Risk management
9.4 Ecolodges
9.5 Tour operators
9.6 Expedition cruises [Possible Vignette: Lindblad Expeditions]
Summary
10. Conclusion: Imagining the Future of Ecotourism Introduction
10.1 Winding down the Great Acceleration
10.2 Reimagining Crawford Lake in the evolving Anthropocene
Summary
- Edition: 1
- Published: March 1, 2026
- Language: English
DW
David B. Weaver
Dr. David B. Weaver is Principal Research Fellow at the Queensland University of Technology’s School of Management. He obtained his M.A. in Geography (Spatial Development) from Wilfred Laurier University and his Ph.D. in Geography (Tourism Landscapes) from the University of Western Ontario. Dr. Weaver has taught courses on sustainable tourism and ecotourism at the University of Regina (Canada), Griffith University (Australia), George Mason University (USA), University of South Carolina (USA), and Dongbei University (China). He maintains an active research agenda in sustainable destination management, protected areas, and ecotourism, and he has published extensively on these topics. Dr. Weaver has led or co-led the development of 17 books, including Elsevier’s Sustainable Tourism.
Affiliations and expertise
Queensland University of Technology, Australia