Negative Ecological Impacts of Tourism:
Landscape and nature destruction (e.g. through infrastructural expansion)

Pyramidal orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis) is one of 22 species of orchids that grow in Certoryje National Nature Reserve (above). School field trip to the species-rich meadows (below).

Case Study: Unmanaged Tourism at the Certoryje National Nature Reserve - Lucina Recreation Area (Bile Karpaty), Czech Republic

Unmanaged tourism at the Certoryje National Nature Reserve causes deterioration of natural values. Most of the valuable and vulnerable environments have come into close contact with mass tourism — a form of tourism completely unsuited for that kind of site. While for the Lucina Recreation Area the transition to sustainable tourism may not be possible anymore, measures should be taken to prevent other, still untouched and vulnerable adjacent areas from mass tourism impacts.

The Lucina Recreation Area is a very popular location in the southern part of the Bile Karpaty Protected Landscape Area (PLA), which is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. A part of the recreation area lies within the borders of the Natura 2000 site. The Certoryje National Nature Reserve, one of the most valuable sites in the southern part of the Czech Carpathians, is nearby. The number of permanent inhabitants in the area is low as the vast majority of the buildings are weekend houses used for both individual and mass recreation. A small dam represents an important attraction for the whole recreation area. It is visited by a great number of tourists during the summer season and is very popular for anglers.

The natural environment of the Lucina Recreation Area is threatened by an increasing number of tourists who use this location for standard seasonal and weekend relaxation without paying appropriate attention to the vulnerability of their surroundings.

The main tourism-caused problems concern the meadows and the forest vegetation of the Certoryje National Nature Reserve. Visitors do not stay on the paths and thus destroy the species-rich vegetation. This often happens in the most vulnerable parts of the nature reserve or during the most sensitive vegetation periods. The use of bikes and motorcycles off the beaten track in particular causes serious damage to the area.

The movement of visitors within the nature reserve is restricted by law. For example, group excursions require a permit from the Ministry of Environment. However, there is practically no means of enforcing these legal codes of conduct and in the past few years these rules have been repeatedly violated.

Waste and noise pollution are also important issues in the Lucina Recreation Area. The noise level, especially high during the summer season, gets further increased through the geomorphologic conditions of the area — a narrow valley with a larger water surface that reflects the sound. The splinter development caused by tourism-related infrastructure and the introduction of ingenuous species are threatening the biodiversity.

The problems in the Lucida Recreation Area are mainly related to two decisive factors. On the one hand it is the great potential of the area as a mass tourism spot and thus the trend towards a continuously increasing visitor attendance. Many weekend houses, huts and youth camps meant for both individual and mass recreation have been built in this area during socialism. Although today the construction of new buildings is not permitted, this ban is violated frequently, e.g. under the pretence of “reconstruction”. The fact that the buildings are not adjusted to the landscape is still another problem.

The infrastructure, which had long been fully developed, and the good accessibility of the location support the increase in visitor numbers and mass tourism in the region. In this context, the significant increase in the number of cars is another severe problem.

On the other hand it is the relative weakness of the PLA administration that has no chance to ward off the negative impacts of the numerous visitors. Although the whole recreation area is located within the borders of the PLA, the administration has no real means to restrict or to stop activities that damage the natural values of the area. The powers of the nature conservation authorities are rather limited; they cannot enforce the necessary codes of conduct.

In summary, the current form of tourism, even though supported by the local municipalities, is not suitable for such a unique and valuable site. According to Czech tourism experts, a more significant and desirable transformation of the area is almost impossible to achieve due to the already existing facilities, the visitor structure, the ownership rights and the interests of the local municipalities. The lack of a well prepared strategic sustainable development plan represents a serious drawback.