Is Ecological Birdwatching Tourism a More Effective Way to Transform the Value of Ecosystem Services?—A Case Study of Birdwatching Destinations in Mingxi County, China

Ecological birdwatching tourism is an ecological product and an essential part of ecotourism, and the realization of its recreation value is crucial for improving human well-being, and realization of the local benefits of ecosystem services for areas focused on biodiversity conservation, especially in bird species. In this study, we use travel cost interval analysis, one of the travel cost derived models featuring more easily satisfied assumptions and less limited data, to evaluate the recreation value of the ecological bird-watching tourism destination, and compare it with the general ecotourism, of Mingxi County destination in China. The results show that, firstly, the per capita recreation value of eco-birdwatching is 3.9 times that of general eco-tourism, its per capita social benefit is three times that of general eco-tourism, and its per capita economic benefit is 4.5 times that of general eco-tourism. Secondly, compared with general ecotourists, the per capita travel costs of eco-birdwatchers are higher, and there were significant statistical differences in the expenses for catering, tickets, shopping, opportunity cost, and total travel expenses between these two groups. Thirdly, in comparison with general ecotourists, the marginal cost of an individual eco-birdwatcher is higher, and the travel intention of an eco-birdwatcher is more robust at the same cost level. The price of a single eco-birdwatcher is higher under the same travel intention demand level. In short, the ecological bird-watching industry has a higher marginal value than general eco-tourism and has higher social, economic, and ecological benefits, bringing a higher level of development for the local tourism industry.

The population of Sanderling (Calidris alba) in 2020 Migration on the South Coast of Puger, Getem, Jember

Sanderling (Calidris alba) is a type of shorebird that migrates from the northern hemisphere to the southern hemisphere. Indonesia is a migration route for East Asia-Australasia. The southern coastal area of the Jember Regency, one of the wetlands, especially in East Java, has become an air route and a stopover for shorebirds every year. The research objective was to determine the population of Sanderling (Calidris alba) on the southern coast of Puger and Getem, Jember Regency. Method of collecting encounter rates. Bird watching is carried out in the morning at 06.00-08.00 and in the afternoon at 15.30-17.30. Data recording includes species, number of birds, and other supporting data. Identification using the book by Mac Kinnon et al. (2010) and Bhushan, B., et al. (1993). Tools used for binocular observation, monocular, camera, and GPS. Data analysis used the density index for individual bird species using the formula method (Alikodra, 1990). The results of the study were a total of 445 individuals. Data analysis of Muara Sungai population density was the location with the four other survey locations' highest number.

Searching for the Unknown: How Your Surroundings Help You Find Things

Imagine you are in your backyard, bird watching with your friends. Your eyes look upward, scanning the trees and sky. What birds would you expect to find? What do you think they might look like? Consider how the environment you are searching within (your backyard) gives you clues about where to look for birds. Your eyes are likely to scan the trees but are unlikely to scan the ground. The environment also gives you clues about what the birds look like. You would probably expect them to be small and brown (like a robin) if you live in North America, or perhaps more colorful and larger (like a parrot) if you live in a tropical place like Central America. The local environment provides clues that help you predict what your search “target” will look like, and these expectations can even help you find things more quickly!

The Obligation of White Women

On Memorial Day 2020, a white woman, Amy Cooper, was walking her unleashed dog in New York City. After being apprised of the leash law in that state by a man bird watching, Ms. Cooper proceeded to call the police stating an “African American man” was “threatening her life and that of her dog” (Ransom, 2020). While this event may seem unconnected to the field of social work, it is a modern example of the way white women, including those in social work, use emotionality, bureaucracy, and the law to control Black bodies. Social work has been and continues to be, responsible for policies and practices that maintain white supremacy culture and criminalize Black people.

IPB University's Policy of Biodiversity’s Innovation for Eco-Edutourism

IPB University has declared as a Biodiversity Campus since 2011. This declaration was carried out considering the high biodiversity at the IPB University Campus. One of the causes of the high campus biodiversity is the uniqueness of the campus landscape and the maintained proportion between the built and open-green areas. The existence of lakes, forests, arboretums, plantations, and three rivers that cross the campus area has contributed to the high diversity of habitats and consequently to the biodiversity. At least 22 species of mammals, 99 species of birds, 12 species of amphibians, 38 species of reptiles, 128 species of butterflies, 173 species of woody-plants, 40 species of bamboos and 127 species of medicinal plats have been recorded inhabiting the 257 ha of the campus area. The biodiversity has significant role as objects for research of the students, lecturers, researchers as well as for tourism such as for bird watching, picture hunting, outbond and other recreational activities. Therefore the campus functions for education and for tourism, thus ecoedutourism for academic community as well as community around the campus. To maintain the biodiversity, IPB University issued several policy innovations. The first policy innovation is monitoring of population and distribution of biodiversity on a regular basis. Second, habitat management for biodiversity. Third, on-site and offsite socialization to campus and offcampus communities. Fourth, conserving the habitats of the flora and fauna. Fifth, rare tree planting. Sixth, the movement to plant fruit trees by each faculty. Seventh, conservation of biopharmaceutical medicinal plants. Eighth, building a garden for food sovereignty. Ninth, conducting research on campus biodiversity. All of these policies involve the academic community, experts, alumni and the community around the campus.

The Perceptions of Local Community's About Diversity of Mangrove Ecological Potential for Ecotourism Development in the South Coast of Lombok Island, Indonesia

The utilization of the coastal environment is still dominated by-products and has not yet switched to ecosystem service products, such as the use of mangrove ecosystems as ecotourism. This study aims to assess the local community's perception of the potential diversity that becomes an object for the community's economy. The research method uses surveys, observations, and interviews for social data, while the ecological data use transect and quadratic methods. Furthermore, data analysis used descriptive statistics. In addition, ecological data were analyzed using density (Ki), relative frequency (FR), diversity (H') of mangroves, and ecological indexes (Diversity (H'), Evenness (E), Dominance (D)). The results of the study found six mangrove species, ten echinoderm species, and thirteen bivalves. The highest diversity index (H') was in Poton Bako 1.80 and the Evenness index ranged from 0.80 – 0.98 with a stable category. Biota relative dominance the association index of echinoderms is high 0.79–0.11. Meanwhile, the bivalves Dominance index of 0.03-0.11 was low. In addition, local community's perception of mangrove conservation for ecotourism, 63% of the community stated, 7% is not possible and 30% is not. The feasible value of mangrove development is 62%, 17% is not feasible and 21% does not know. The priority developed by Eduwisata is 48%, Bird Watching is 20% and Tracking is 32%. The conclusion is that the choice of using mangrove ecosystem services can be developed as a policy in overcoming economic threats and the vulnerability of marine biota as well as solutions for local communities.

Biodiversity of Birds in Urban Green Space for Support Ecotourism activities in Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University Thailand

Bird watching is one of the attractive ecotourism activities for travelers and nature enthusiasts, which rapidly growing in Thailand. This study aims to: (1) explore bird diversity in various green spaces in ValayaAlongkorn Rajabhat University (VRU); and (2) examine which bird species dominates the study areas. Bird data were collected using point count techniques in two sessions; early morning, and late afternoon, at VRU from May 2020 to April 2021. Frequency of occurrence value (FQ) was analyzed for classifying status groups of birds in the VRU. Order Passeriformes was numerically the dominant order in our study area, with 22 species (47.7% of total represented species), while the other bird orders were the least dominant, represented by 1 to 5 species in range. A total of 47 species of birds belonging to 29 Families and 12 Orders were recorded. During this study, significantly, the highest bird richness was recorded in agriculture areas (35 ± 2.3 SD), followed by the species from recreation areas (27 ± 1.8 SD) and natural wetland (17 ± 1.7 SD) (P>0.05). Five migrant bird species and 35 resident species were observed, and 10 bird species were recorded in both the seasonal status as migrant and resident species. Most of the bird species are listed as of least concern, while only one species, Mycteria leucocephala, are listed as near-threatened. Nine bird species are classified as common species in the VRU with > 80 % of frequency of occurrence. The pattern of bird diversity in the VRU in general follows the natural condition of green area space in the VRU. Typical characteristics of birds, their habitat and appearing period can develop bird-watching objects, which become interesting attractions for travelers and nature enthusiasts, promoting ecotourism development and efforts to conserve bird diversity.

Avifaunal diversity and ecotourism opportunities: A case study from Barachaka tribal village of Bankura, West Bengal, India

Ethnic people throughout the globe are engaged in the conservation of biodiversity. The objective of this study was to measure the avifaunal diversity in heterogeneous forest and paddy fields surrounding the Barachaka tribal village of West Bengal, India and the prospect of development of ecotourism spot in this area. The study was conducted during June and July of 2019 and 2020. A total of 47 bird species belonging to 27 families were identified and recorded during the span of study. Among these bird species, Asian open bill stork (Anastomus oscitans) is predominant in the heterogeneous forest of this village and they usually used this place as a breeding ground during the rainy season. The study reveals that the safety and food security provided by the villagers encourage these birds to prepare colonial nests in trees very near to the human habitation. Shannon-Wiener diversity index value was recorded 2.49 within village forest and 2.33 in the paddy field during June 2019 and July 2019 and 2.62 within village forest and 2.47 in the paddy field during June 2020 and July 2020. Results obtained from the questionnaire survey revealed that tribal people of this village are directly attached to bird conservation in their area and these tribal people protect the bird generation after generation through their traditional knowledge. The community-based bird monitoring programs may protect birds as well as wildlife and encourage researchers who may gather scientific knowledge from these ethnic people. The village under study has the prospective to develop into a good bird watching site, where bird lovers may watch the birds in nature and thereby helping the socio-economic development of the tribal people of this village.

Interpretando a biodiversidade: a avifauna do Parque Nacional dos Campos Gerais (Paraná, Brasil)

Environmental interpretation is a tool that helps in understanding the landscape and its elements, frequently used in protected areas (PA) to sensitize visitors. In order to improve environmental interpretation and promote bird watching in the Campos Gerais National Park, this paper aims to discuss the importance of interpretative means to achieve the objectives of the PA, presenting a proposal for a panel and a folder of the present avifauna. For this, besides the bibliographical research and experts consulting, we carried out field visits. It is concluded that the proposed tools could improve the interpretation/identification, as well as in the promotion of sustainable tourism potentially in the conservation of birdlife.