Interpretation in wildlife tourism: Assessing the effectiveness of signage on visitor behaviour at a seal watching site in Iceland

Marschall, S.; Granquist, Sandra M.; Burns, Georgette Leah

doi:10.1016/j.jort.2016.11.001

Cited by 53 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Since this group may also see themselves as birdwatchers and vice versa, this suggests that signage targeting anyone engaged in photography generally may be needed to impact their behaviour. In general however, our results support the findings of two other studies that signage can be a highly effective technique for ensuring compliant behaviour of visitors around wildlife ( Marschall et al, 2017 ; Weston et al, 2012 ). These latter two studies were on shorebirds and seals respectively on coastal sites with high footfall, so the addition of our study on seabirds on an island site with low footfall broadens the generality of these findings collectively.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…During the sign treatment periods, the sign was placed on the edge of the approach path before the slope leading down to the gannetry. Previous research on sign content concluded that signs are most effective when an explanation is given alongside an instruction ( Ballantyne & Hughes, 2006 ; Marion & Reid, 2007 ; Marschall et al, 2017 ; VanderWalde, 2007 ). Thus our sign stated “These birds are breeding.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, these measures are expensive and can take away from the visitor experience. On the other hand, passive education in the form of verbal interpretation or signage can be a cost-effective approach to changing visitor behaviour without greatly impacting the touristic value of the site ( Marschall, Granquist, & Burns, 2017 ; Medeiros et al, 2007 ; Zeppel & Muloin, 2008 ). It has long been assumed that signs are an effective way of enhancing visitor experience and promoting sustainable interactions with wildlife ( VanderWalde, 2007 ; Zeppel & Muloin, 2008 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Experimental signage has been shown to have some success in modifying visitor behaviour when put up near sensitive seal sites without wardens ( Marschall et al, 2017 ), and wardening and signage used together resulted in Little Terns ( Sternula albifrons ) being 34 times more likely to nest successfully ( Medeiros et al, 2007 ). Sign design is also important ( Acevedo-Gutierrez, Acevedo, Belonovich, & Boren, 2011 ; Barton, Booth, Ward, Simmons, & Fairweather, 1998 ); for example Marschall et al (2017) found that signs were most effective if rationale for their use was included, not just a simple instruction. Despite the widespread belief that signs are an integral part of disturbance management, few experimental studies are available that clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of their usage.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The effectiveness of regulatory signs in controlling human behaviour and Northern gannet (Morus bassanus) disturbance during breeding: an experimental test

Allbrook

Quinn

2020

Journal for Nature Conservation

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Human disturbance to wildlife is on the rise and disturbance management is a key activity in conservation. Although disturbance can be controlled with relative ease in nature reserves that are properly resourced and managed by employed staff, most reserves do not fall into this category, and most wildlife exists outside managed reserves entirely. Thus, developing and demonstrating the effectiveness of simple, low-cost approaches to minimising disturbance is an important objective in conservation. In this study we examine the effectiveness of regulatory signs in controlling the behaviour and impacts of visitors on a colonial island-nesting bird, the Northern gannet ( Morus bassanus ), on an unmanaged island. First, we found that the percentage of successful nests declined with proximity to the disturbed edge of the colony, and was much higher in an undisturbed control area. Second, the number of birds displaced by visitors correlated negatively with the minimum visitor approach distance. Third, visitor proximity to the colony was dramatically reduced in the presence of a regulatory sign in comparison to periods without signs, which resulted in fewer birds being displaced from their nests. Photographers were the only visitor group who didn’t always comply with the sign. Our results show that breeding success in a species often thought to be well adapted to human presence, suffers from tourist pressure, and that simple and informative regulatory signs can be a cost-effective way of reducing the disturbance caused by visitors at unmanaged wildlife sites.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

The effectiveness of regulatory signs in controlling human behaviour and Northern gannet (Morus bassanus) disturbance during breeding: an experimental test

Allbrook

Quinn

2020

Journal for Nature Conservation

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“…To date, research on the effects of tourism in Iceland has primarily focused on the natural environment, particularly the highlands and the main nature attractions (e.g. Cságoly, Saeþórsdóttir, & Ólafsdóttir, 2017;Marschall, Granquist, & Burns, 2017;Ólafsdóttir & Runnström, 2013;Schaller, 2014). Destinations towns in Iceland are, however, under studied, particularly regarding the impact of tourism and tourists on the residents.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social sustainability of tourism in Iceland: A qualitative inquiry

Helgadóttir

Einarsdóttir

Burns

et al. 2019

Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism

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Sustainability research in tourism increasingly focuses on social issues such as the relationship between resident quality of life and community resilience through adaptive capacity. This study of resident and tourism relations in Iceland contributes to this growing body of literature. The research was supported by the Icelandic Tourist Board to meet the need to monitor the social sustainability of tourism in Iceland. Observation in public spaces showed disruption in daily routines for residents as physical infrastructure filled with tourists and the activities of tourism enterprises. In-depth interviews revealed residents' awareness of potential benefits and problems with tourism, but a positive experience of and attitude toward tourists. A concern for the wellbeing of tourists was a theme in the interviews. However, residents were critical of the tourism industry and tourism management in both the private and public sector and questioned the sustainability of tourism growth. This leads us to consider the concepts of quality of life and resilience and responsible tourism as aspects of how communities experience and cope with tourism. We conclude that social sustainability, understood as both procedural and substantive, is a useful concept in addressing issues in tourism development.

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Earthquake impacts on a protected pinniped in New Zealand

Hall,

Chilvers,

Weir

et al. 2024

Aquatic Conservation

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The impacts of natural disasters on marine mammals are poorly understood and difficult to study, which can hamper management responses following such events. This study provides the first distribution and abundance assessment of New Zealand fur seal (NZFS: Arctocephalus forsteri) colonies around Kaikōura, New Zealand, since a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in November 2016 caused substantial changes to both the local marine and terrestrial environments, and led to the reconstruction of a major highway that runs adjacent to NZFS colonies. Mark–recapture and direct counts in the 2022–2023 breeding season estimated pup production for NZFS breeding colonies along the Kaikōura coast. Using established multipliers, pup estimates were used to provide the first comprehensive population estimate for Kaikōura's NZFS population since the earthquake. Three new colonies and three new subcolonies were assessed and recorded, additional to reassessments of two established colonies. Overall, Kaikōura's NZFS population has grown and spread post‐earthquake, with an upper total population estimate of between 21,560 and 28,327 animals in the 2022–2023 breeding season. Some sites, such as Lynch's Reef, appear to have benefited from earthquake‐induced coastal uplift, with pup production increasing. Contrastingly, the estimated 2,401 (±99) pups produced at Ōhau Point in 2023 is similar to pre‐earthquake estimates. This indicates that the earthquake has disrupted previously documented growth at this site. The distribution of NZFS breeding at Ōhau Point has also changed substantially since the last pre‐earthquake assessment. From these findings, alterations to the Ōhau Point New Zealand Fur Seal Sanctuary and similar protections at other locations on the Kaikōura coast are suggested, as greater numbers of NZFSs are now accessible to human interaction and disturbance. The results demonstrate both how natural disasters and subsequent infrastructure modifications can impact coastal species and how conservation measures may need to be amended accordingly.

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Interpretation in wildlife tourism: Assessing the effectiveness of signage on visitor behaviour at a seal watching site in Iceland

Cited by 53 publications

References 34 publications

The effectiveness of regulatory signs in controlling human behaviour and Northern gannet (Morus bassanus) disturbance during breeding: an experimental test

The effectiveness of regulatory signs in controlling human behaviour and Northern gannet (Morus bassanus) disturbance during breeding: an experimental test

Social sustainability of tourism in Iceland: A qualitative inquiry

Earthquake impacts on a protected pinniped in New Zealand

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