Tourism, Community Resilience & Cultural Ecosystem Services in Taiwan s Wetlands

Transcription

1 Download from Tourism, Community Resilience & Cultural Ecosystem Services in Taiwan s Wetlands Alan A. Lew Geography, Planning & Recreation Northern Arizona University 53 rd Toayaka Program Seminar Hiroshima University 21 October 2015 with Tsung-chiung Emily Wu, National Donghua University Chin-cheng Nickel Ni, National Hsin Chu Univ of Education Pin T. Ng, Northern Arizona University

2 ECOSYSTEM SERVICES (ES)

3 ECOSYSTEM SERVICES (ES)= BENEFITS PEOPLE OBTAIN FROM NATURAL ECOSYSTEMS

4 THE ES PROBLEM Nature provides services to us for free The consumption of ecosystem goods is much easier than their conservation Liberal Economic Theory = the economics of Private Goods Property Rights are well defined People Own the Benefits & Costs of their goods the Free Market regulates their Value through Prices A Private Good s Value is revealed when someone pays a price for it = Efficient & Optimal Distribution A private Guava Tree in Wuweigang

5 WELFARE ECONOMIC THEORY = The Economics of Public Goods (public welfare) 1-Non-Exclusion: Cannot exclude people from consuming - Too Costly or Difficult 2-Non-Rivalry: Many people can consume at same time - Property Rights are Not Clear & Specific - Everyone Shares Benefits & Costs Examples: air, roads, traffic signs stable government, the history of a place --> - who owns these? - who benefits from them? Historical Museum items at Wuweigang Wetland Also known as: Collective Goods, Common Goods, Club Goods, Common-pool Resources & Social Goods

6 NATURAL ECOSYSTEM SERVICES PROVIDED BY COASTAL WETLANDS Flood Protection Erosion Control Wildlife Food & Habitat Migratory Bird Flyways --> Food for Fisheries Water Purification Water Supply Carbon Sequestration

7 Food for Humans: Fishing, Hunting, Foraging; Agriculture (rice), Salt production Raw Materials for Humans Cultural Landscape Fishing, Fisheries, Heritage Structures, including dams, waterways, buildings, elements of traditional livelihoods Leisure & Health CULTURAL ECOSYSTEM SERVICES PROVIDED BY WETLANDS Environmental & Cultural Education Spiritual & Religious Uses Inspiration for Art, Music, Literature & Folklore Recreation & Tourism Canoeing & kayaking; Wildlife viewing & photography; Fishing & hunting Beautiful & Aesthetics Scenery Heritage Livelihoods Wuweigang Wetland

8 Ecosystem Services Assessments Potential Annual Economic Impact Coral Reef Loss in the Caribbean Sea from Climate Change

9 Direct Management (Aogu) Full or Partial Purchase (ownership) Public (government) or Private Direct Government Regulation Forced Police Power (rules & laws) Political Influence (legislation) WAYS TO PROTECT ECOSYSTEM SERVICES Indirect Government Incentives Financial Subsidies, Reduced Taxes, Public Auctions Public-Private Partnerships Direct Financial Incentives Grants to Encourage Proper Management (Wuweigang) Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) At Aogu Wetland

10 TWO WETLANDS IN TAIWAN Wuweigang (no tail river/port) Bird Sanctuary & Wetland River, Lake, Forest, Swamp, Sand Beach, Upland, Birds 102 hectares Former Net Fishing & Hunting Community Involved: 1986 Environmental NGO Aogu (sea turtle drum) Wetland & Forest Park Marsh, Lagoons, Mud Beaches, Forest, Birds 1,470 hectares Active Fisheries & Oyster Beds Community Involved: 2010 Master Planned (Forest Bureau) Remote

11 WUWEIGANG 1986 Power Plant proposed just north of the wetland Successful community organizing & protests Wetland Protected Area established 1993 Pride in Protest Success still today Wuweigang Culture & Educational Association founded in 1997 Local Conservation NGO Community-Based Environmental Monitoring & Management Interpretive Guiding & Birding Today Designated by government as an official Environmental Education Center Serves Education, Community & Government Groups from around Taiwan Complicated Politics Three Communities Two Community Associations & one NGO Many Outside Advisors over the years 3 interviews 4 community leaders

12 WUWEIGANG BIRD SANCTUARY & WETLAND

13 Further human modifications after 1995 to water and plants

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17 AOGU 1964 Reclaimed from sea by a sea wall encircling a mud flat Sugar plantation, Fisheries & Pig farm 1990s - Taiwan Sugar Co. gradually abandoned due to Soil Salinization & Global Trade Competition Land subsidence & Seawall breaches A Pig Farm (30,000 pigs) is still in operation Taiwan Forestry Bureau started a Afforestation program to help Sequester Carbon & provide Recreation Space National Environmental Policy to create Forest Reserves total 6 reserves in Taiwan Taiwan Forestry Bureau funded Aogu Forest & Wetland Park Master Plan Visitors Center, Bird Watching Stations Bird Guide Training Community Education outreach to Fisheries and Oyster Farmers 2 Interviews 4 respondents

18 AOGU WETLAND AND FOREST PARK

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22 AOGU

23 In terms of local Quality of Life, Cultural Services are, by far, the dominant Ecosystem Service of these Wetlands ECOSYSTEM SERVICES IN AOGU & WUWEIGANG Supporting Services Provisioning Services Regulating Services Cultural Services Fish habitat; Soil formation, Nutrient cycling Food for Humans (fishing, foraging & hunting); Raw materials (driftwood) Climate regulation (vegetation, trees, water); Carbon sequestration; Flood prevention (from typhoons); Soil stabilization Recreation & Ecotourism; Aesthetics & Inspiration (photography, bird viewing); Sense of Place; Education; Cultural Landscape; Destination Image

24 SUSTAINABILITY & RESILIENCE

25 Using resources to meet the needs of contemporary society while ensuring their availability to meet the needs of future generations. (Brundtland Report 1987) Principles of Sustainability: 1. Long Term - Intergenerational Equity 2. Holistic Planning - Economic, Environmental & Social 3. Preserving Ecological Processes 4. Protecting Biodiversity 5. Protecting Human Heritage 6. Fairness & Opportunity among Nations AOGU

26 7 PRINCIPLES OF COMMUNITY RESILIENCE 1. Maintain Diversity & Redundancy 2. Manage Connectivity 3. Manage Slow Variables & Feedbacks 4. Foster Complex Adaptive Systems Thinking 5. Encourage Learning 6. Broaden Participation 7. Promote Polycentric Governance Systems Source: Applying Resilience Thinking (

27 SUSTAINABILITY & RESILIENCE SIMILARITES Assumptions: Harmony between Human Society & the Natural Environment is Possible Research Focus: Community Development; Ecology; Climate Change Methods: Climate Change Policies & Actions; Education & Learning as an Implementation Tool Goals: System Survivability (Social & Bio-Diversity); Sense of Place & Belonging (Heritage) Sustainability Assumption: Stability & Balance are the Norm (or are at least possible) Research Focus: Environmental & Social Impacts of Economic Development; Over use of Resources; Carbon Footprints Methods: Wise Use Resource Management; Preservation Against Change; Recycling & Greening ; Education for Behavior Change Goals: Normative Ideals (Culture, Environment & Economic balance; Intergenerational Equity; Fairness) Criticism: Poorly Defined & Very Political Resilience Assumption: Nonlinear & Unpredictable Change & Chaos are the Norm Research Focus: Natural & Human Disaster Management; Climate Change Impacts; Social Capital & Networks Methods: Reducing Vulnerability & Increasing Physical & Social Capacity for Change (flexibility & redundancy); Education for Innovation Goals: Quantitative Equilibrium; System Models (Evolutionary Complex Adaptive Systems; Path Dependence; Innovation) Criticism: Does Not Fix Causes of Change

28 Geographic Scale Scale, Change & The 4 Faces of Community Resilience Based on Lew, 2013 GEOGRAPHIC SCALES of RESILIENCE 2. Slow Change impacting Community 4. Fast Change impacting Community Global Resilience International - Regional National Resilience 1. Slow Change Impacting an Economic Sector 3. Fast Change Impacting an Economic Sector Province/ Urban - Regional Community Resilience Enterprise / Institutional Change Rate Family / Work Group Individual Resilience

29 Scale Tourism Sector Community The 4 Faces of Resilience & Sustainability FORMS of TOURISM SUSTAINABILITY 2. Resource Resilience & Sustainability 4. Governance Resilience & Sustainability 1. Maintaining the Tourism Economy s Facilities & Service 2. Addressing Socio- Cultural & Environmental Impacts of Tourism Activities [Conservation] 1. Management Resilience & Sustainability Slow Fast Change Rate 3. Planning Resilience & Sustainability 3. Greening the Tourism Economy/Industry [as a form of Diversification; Environmental Footprint] 4. Tourism s Contribution to Quality of Life Sustainability, especially in Times of Need [Disaster]

30 GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT OF AOGU & WUWEIGANG RESOURCE SCALE Aogu 1- Large Area (1400 ha) difficult for direct local involvement in resource management 2- More Remote lower diversity of support services available to visitors; more traditional livelihoods Wuweigang 1- Small Area (140 ha) easier for direct local involvement in resource management 2- Closer to Urban Centers access to larger market & job opportunities; competition in nearby villages POLITICAL SCALE a- New Planning Process (2010) b- National Level Leadership Driven - local participation in services only c- Primary Support from Master Plan Process - other grants smaller & secondary to master plan - few political divisions due to less local involvement in master plan funding a- Mature Planning Process (1980s) b- Local Level Leadership Driven - Local Participation in Resource Management & Services c- Primary Support from many Grants & Advisors - increasing grant competition local political divisions due to reduced funds

31 RESILIENCE & SUSTAINABILITY INDICATORS 1. Local Government Budgeting Building Community Capacity (Resilience) Conserving Community Resources (Sustainability) 2. Environmental Knowledge New Environmental Knowledge (Resilience) Traditional Environmental Uses (Sustainability) 3. Basic Social Well Being Improve Living Conditions & Employment (Resilience) Cultural Preservation & Traditions (Sustainability) 4. Social Networks & Social Capital Social Collaboration (Resilience) Social Welfare (Sustainability) WUWEIGANG

32 AOGU Wetland 3 Villages, with 3 Village Associations US$60,000 average/year in government grants; plus Taiwan National Forestry Bureau 70% Infrastructure 15% Environmental Education 5% Senior Education & Health 5% Environmental Cleanup Tourism Economy: Interpretive Guiding & Birding; Fishery Education 1. LOCAL GOVT BUDGET INDICATORS WUWEIGANG Wetland 4 Villages, with 2 Village Associations & an NGO US$70,000 average/year in government grants 55% Environmental Protection 27% Environmental Education 6% Health 2% Economic Development 1% Infrastructure Tourism Economy: Interpretive Guiding & Birding; Environmental Education Center; DIY Pizza & Food Supplemental Income for Nature Interpreters Not economically dependent on Tourism

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36 AOGU Wetland 2. ENVIRONMENTAL KNOWLEDGE INDICATORS WUWEIGANG Wetland Elders have good knowledge of natural environment, younger people do not; Ecotourism increased resident awareness, pride, and interested in local knowledge - Trying to reduce chemical use - People used to hate birds, but with ecotourism, they now accept them 79% Environmental Resource Knowledge 45% Environmental Resource Use 20% Disaster Education 13% Environmental Education 1% Agricultural Education - In early days, many in resource inventory & monitoring; fewer today, so resource knowledge has declined 73% Environmental Resource Knowledge 73% Environmental Resource Use 34% Agricultural Education 19% Disaster Education 19% Environmental Education - 48 residents trained as birding & nature guides; High interest in next guide training - National government built visitors information & administrative center Ecotourism pushed by the National Forestry Bureau policy in response to global sustainability issues - 40 to 50 members of WWG Association (NGO) trained as nature interpreters & in environmental monitoring - Government certified Environmental Education Center Ecotourism pushed by the local NGO Environmental Organization formed in protest to government

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40 3. BASIC SOCIAL WELL BEING INDICATORS AOGU Wetland - Not rich, but not poor - Government payment to retired farmers; Inhome care of elderly (lack of young people) WUWEIGANG Wetland - Living condition is good, but very dependent on government grant funding (competitive) - Land ownership issues hinder development 4days Resources if a Disaster (no agriculture) 2% Unemployed 44% Have Migrated for Employment 4% Tourism Employment 9min To Medical Care - People who want to work can - Good income from oyster & fish farming - Most young people migrate out to find better jobs and do not return - Tourism employment: Visitors Center, 3 Restaurants; Part-time Nature Guides - In early stages of tourism development - Wetland & Forest Park has significant potential for tourism development - Tourism has potential to retain youths in Aogu 64days Resources if a Disaster 6% Unemployed 33% Have Migrated for Employment 4% Tourism Employment 4min To Medical Care - Younger generation cannot stay due to housing shortage (land ownership issues) - Can commute to work in nearby town - New apartments: 75% local owners, 25% can sell to outsiders (rare case) - Tourism employment: Interpretation & Education, Shuttle bus, 5 BnBs (other village) - Main tourism income: Environmental Education & DIY Pizza; these support youth sports and elder welfare - Long term profitability of tourism is in doubt Tourism supplements income only. Tourist spending is limited, visits are short

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43 AOGU Wetland 4. SOCIAL NETWORK INDICATORS WUWEIGANG Wetland Temple & Family Relations bring people together socially People support each other in need - Social Networks are Very Good - Rural communities already know each other very well - 99% Actively Involved in temple activities % Receive Direct Social Benefits mostly elderly served by the temple - Aogu is relatively rich, so no social welfare groups have come into the community Guide Training brings people together - Social Networks are OK - Political disagreements (national elections) % Actively Involved in temple activities; people participate to get blessings of the gods - 27% Receive Direct Social Benefits mostly elderly served by the temple (see below for Wuweigang) Wuweigang - Tourism might hurt social networks & relations due to the distribution of benefits & funding WWG is too small to effectively manage these issues - Locals do not have true tourism businesses - very few benefit from tourism - Many people coming for bird watching & tours, bringing negative impacts - Participants in tourism support it; others experience may opposed tourism

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45 CHANGE AGENTS Fast Change (External - Socioeconomic) Medium Change (Economic Globalization & Climate Change) Slow Change (ecological) Aogu Withdrawal of Taiwan Sugar Co. (1990s) Afforestation Plan (2000s) Master Park Plan (2013) Wuweigang Proposed Power Plant ( ) Decline in Net Fishing (2000s) Changing Demographics (fewer youths) (since 1970s & 80s) Change in Wetland Ecosystems & in Their Uses (on going)

46 RESILIENCE & SUSTAINABILITY SCALE & RESILIENCE AOGU WUWEIGANG SCALE (community) 1.Management (facilities) 2.Resource (with consultants) 3.Planning (local goals) 4.Governance (national goals) Mostly National Level Mostly Local Level Constructing Visitor Infrastructure; Providing Interpretive & Other Guest Services Master Plan; High Local Resource Use Community-based Resource Monitoring Community Traditions & Relationships Participation, Pride & Sense of Place (Vision) Resource Reclamation & Maintenance; Sustainable Environment Education; Elder Care

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48 RESILIENCE & SUSTAINABILITY RESILIENCE VULNERABILITIES AOGU WUWEIGANG 1.Management (facilities) Dependent on National Level Policies for Funding 2.Resource (protection) 3.Planning (local goals) 4.Governance (national goals) Low Local Involvement in Resource Management Low Local Involvement in Master Plan Funding Issues Slowing Master Plan Implementation Less Funding = Less Community Monitoring Divisions between Tourism & Non-Tourism Interests Political Shifts change Policies & Funding; Local distrust of National Govt

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50 LESSONS FOR RESILIENCE & SUSTAINABILITY SCALE CHANGE (variables) CHANGE (complexity) 1.Management 2.Resource 3.Planning 4.Governance Community Scales range from Local to National; Development Drivers can come from Multiple Levels FAST = Organizational Change (govt. & companies) MEDIUM = Social & Economic; Resource Management SLOW = Ecosystem Change; Traditional Culture Complexity Increases with Time and the Number of Actors Involved Government Funding is Key to Success for Rural Places Resource Conservation Approach reflects Funding History & Experience Tourism is Closely Related to Community Pride; Local Participation Strengthens Pride & Tourism Central Government has Ultimate Responsibility for Resource Management & Social Services

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