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Folder D3 Conserving biodiversity, ecosystems, and landscapes

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GSTC HTO Environmental Benefits and Impacts

D3.1 Conserving biodiversity, ecosystems and landscapes - wildlife

Wildlife species are not harvested, consumed, displayed, sold, or traded, except as part of a regulated activity that ensures that their utilization is sustainable, and in compliance with local to international laws.

INDICATOR:

• There is evidence of compliance with local to international laws for any harvesting, consumption, display, sale, or trade of wildlife.

GUIDANCE:

• Best practice is a sustainable management plan developed with scientific experts which includes strategies, current and future plans and considers any other threatening process affecting the wildlife.

Example Travelife for Accommodations:

The business ensures that wildlife species are not harvested fro m the wild, consumed, displayed, sold, or internationally traded, except as part of a regulated activity that ensures that their utilisation is sustainable and in compliance with local and international law.

INDICATOR:

The business demonstrates legal compliance in respect of all activities involv ing the use of wildlife species. The business can also demonstrate that all activities involving wildlife are sustainable.

GSTC HTO Environmental Benefits and Impacts

D3.2 Conserving biodiversity, ecosystems and landscapes – captive wildlife

No captive wildlife is held, except for properly regulated activities, in compliance with local to international law. Living specimens of protected and wildlife species are only kept by those authorized and suitably equipped to house and care for them humanely.

INDICATOR:

• There is evidence of compliance with local to international laws for any captive wildlife.

GUIDANCE:

• Generally, government approvals and licenses should be obtained for any captive protected wildlife.

GSTC HTO Environmental Benefits and Impacts

D3.3 Conserving biodiversity, ecosystems and landscapes – alien species

The organization takes measures to avoid the introduction of invasive alien species. Native species are used for landscaping and restoration wherever feasible, particularly in natural landscapes.

INDICATOR:

• If there are weeds, feral animals, or pathogens (invasive alien species) present on site, there should be an implemented program to restrict their spread and preferably control or eradicate them.
• Tour operators in natural landscapes should have a program in place to ensure they do not bring in alien species, nor spread them.
• Review landscaping of site and consider feasibility and use of native species.

GSTC HTO Environmental Benefits and Impacts

D3.4 Conserving biodiversity, ecosystems and landscapes – supporting conservation.

The organization supports and contributes to biodiversity conservation, including natural protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value.

INDICATOR:

• The percentage of annual budget allocated to and/or in-kind support of natural protected areas or biodiversity conservation.
• Land restoration (hectares)
• habitats protected or restored (hectares).
GUIDANCE:
• The level of support for biodiversity conservation should be commensurate with the tourism product focus on presentation of biodiversity/natural values. It should be high for a wilderness lodge and may be more modest for a city based hotel.

GSTC HTO Environmental Benefits and Impacts

D3.5 Conserving biodiversity, ecosystems and landscapes – wildlife interactions.

Interactions with wildlife, taking into account cumulative impacts, do not produce adverse effects on the viability and behaviour of populations in the wild. Any disturbance of natural ecosystems is minimized, rehabilitated, and there is a compensatory contribution to conservation management.

INDICATOR:

• If there is any disturbance of natural ecosystems there is a program in place to minimize impacts and if necessary rehabilitate the disturbance.
• The amount of any compensatory contribution (cash or in-kind) as a percentage of annual turnover or per guest.
GUIDANCE:
• It is best to avoid interactions with rare or endangered species unless there is absolutely no possibility of adverse effects.
• Compensatory contributions my include tour operators providing logistical support (e.g. free trips) to researchers/managers etc.

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