Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.391
Title: Firefly tourism: Advancing a global phenomenon toward a brighter future
Authors: Lewis, Sara M
Thancharoen, Anchana
Wong, Choong Hay
López-Palafox, Tania
Santos, Paola Velasco
Wu, Chiahsiung
Faust, Lynn
De Cock, Raphaël
Owens, Avalon CS
Lemelin, R Harvey
Gurung, Hum
Jusoh, Wan FA 
Trujillo, Daniel
Yiu, Vor
López, Pablo Jaramillo
Jaikla, Soraya
Reed, J Michael
Keywords: biodiversity, community-based conservation, ecotourism, habitat degradation, insect conservation, invertebrates, Lampyridae, light pollution, tourism management, wildlife tourism
community-based conservation
ecotourism
habitat degradation
insect conservation
invertebrates
Lampyridae
light pollution
tourism management
wildlife tourism
Issue Date: May-2021
Publisher: Wiley
Citation: Lewis, Sara M, Thancharoen, Anchana, Wong, Choong Hay, López-Palafox, Tania, Santos, Paola Velasco, Wu, Chiahsiung, Faust, Lynn, De Cock, Raphaël, Owens, Avalon CS, Lemelin, R Harvey, Gurung, Hum, Jusoh, Wan FA, Trujillo, Daniel, Yiu, Vor, López, Pablo Jaramillo, Jaikla, Soraya, Reed, J Michael (2021-05). Firefly tourism: Advancing a global phenomenon toward a brighter future. Conservation Science and Practice 3 (5). ScholarBank@NUS Repository. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.391
Abstract: Fireflies are charismatic beetles with attractive bioluminescent courtship displays that have recently been swept onto the global stage of nature tourism. Here, we provide the first comprehensive review of the geographic scope, magnitude, focal species, and other attributes of the major firefly tourism sites worldwide. Through targeted interviews and surveys, we estimate that in recent years over one million tourists travelled annually to sites located in at least 12 countries for firefly-watching. Rapid proliferation of firefly tourism provides a timely opportunity to examine how such activities may impact local firefly populations, and to highlight the biological factors that make certain species especially vulnerable to tourism-associated threats. We offer science-based best practices for firefly ecotourism that can be tailored to fit local circumstances, including recommendations to: (1) Conserve the habitats required for all life stages to thrive, (2) involve local communities as key stakeholders, and (3) provide training programs for guides and interpretive materials for visitors. Finally, we provide suggestions for transforming tourist behavior to minimize impact on firefly populations. By developing management plans that incorporate these recommendations, firefly tourist sites can enhance the visitor experience, protect natural resources, benefit local communities, and help promote the conservation of invertebrate biodiversity.
Source Title: Conservation Science and Practice
URI: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/191825
ISSN: 25784854
DOI: 10.1111/csp2.391
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