Increased wildlife activity associated with tourism-related disturbances at a wilderness World Heritage area

Context Understanding how tourism activities and associated disturbances affect wildlife in protected areas is important for managers responsible for managing recreational activities and conserving wildlife. Aims We assessed the influence of tourism-related disturbances on wildlife activity at a popular tourist destination and gateway to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Methods Wildlife activity was monitored over the peak visitation season using cameras deployed inside and outside the tourist precinct. Wildlife activity was modelled in relation to habitat type, distance from roads and buildings, and whether inside or outside the tourist precinct. Diel activity patterns of the four most recorded species were compared between inside and outside the tourist precinct. Key results Habitat type had a greater effect on wildlife activity than tourism-related disturbances, with most species more common in forest than in moorland or grassland. Brush-tailed possums (Trichosurus vulpecula), rufous-bellied pademelons (Thylogale billardierii), bare-nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus), and black currawongs (Strepera fuliginosa) increased their activity in relation to some disturbances, whereas the activity of other species investigated were unaffected. Eastern quolls (Dasyurus viverrinus) were more active inside than outside the tourist precinct but were less active near buildings and roads with greater traffic volumes and speed limits. There was little evidence that diel activity patterns of four species differed between inside and outside the tourist precinct. Conclusions The limited detectable negative impacts of tourism-related disturbance on wildlife activity are likely due to several factors including low visitation rates and associated traffic volume, limited vegetation clearance within and surrounding the tourist precinct, and absence of hunting. It is possible that impacts occurred prior to this study, that other species not assessed in our study are being impacted, or that there are other deleterious impacts not measured, e.g. physiological changes. Implications Some species of wildlife are resilient to, and may benefit from, low levels of tourism-related disturbance. This may lead to adverse impacts such as increased roadkill, food dependency, and disease and loss of intrinsic ‘wildness’. Future increases in visitation rates and associated disturbances may cross a threshold causing a decrease in species diversity, abundance, and activity as has been shown elsewhere.