Wilderness Protection in Polar Regions: Arctic Lessons Learnt for the Regulation and Management of Tourism in the Antarctic

Erscheinungsjahr 2020
ISBN: 978-90-04-41606-2
Verlag: Brill

Buch, Englisch, Band 2, 526 Seiten, Format (B × H): 157 mm x 236 mm, Gewicht: 907 g

Reihe: Studies in Polar Law

Antarctica’s wilderness values, even though specifically recognized by the Environmental Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty, are rarely considered in practice. This deficiency is especially apparent with regard to a more and more increasing human footprint caused, among others, by a growing number of tourists visiting the region and conducting a broad variety of activities.

On the basis of a detailed study of three Arctic wilderness areas – the Hammastunturi Wilderness Reserve (Finland), the Archipelago of Svalbard (Norway) and the Denali National Park and Preserve (Alaska, United States) – as well as the relevant policies and legislation in these countries, Antje Neumann identifies numerous ‘lessons learnt’ that can serve as suggestions for improving the protection of wilderness in Antarctica.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Neumann, Antje

Fachgebiete

• Rechtswissenschaften Internationales Recht und Europarecht Internationales Recht Internationales Verwaltungs-, Umwelt- und Gesundheitsrecht

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Acknowledgements

List of Illustrations

Abbreviations

1 Introduction to and Objective of This Research

1Introduction

2Aim of this Research

3Scope, Limitations and Methodology

3.1Scope and Limitations

3.2Methodology, Working Approaches and Selection of Wilderness Case Studies

4Structure

2 The Wilderness Concept and Its Relevance to the Polar Regions

1Introduction

2Meanings, Perceptions and Values of Wilderness

2.1The Word’s Meaning

2.2Early Perceptions of Wilderness – from Prehistoric Times until the 19th Century

2.3Wilderness Values from Different Perspectives – Increasing Valuation of Wilderness in the 20th Century

3Wilderness Movements, Designations, Laws and Policies

3.1Responding to the ‘ills’ of Civilization – the Evolvement of Wilderness Preservation Movements Worldwide

3.2First Models of Wilderness Protection, Their Objectives and Motivations

3.3Wilderness Protection in Law and Policy – Instrumental Values Still Prevail

4Downsides of the Wilderness Concept

4.1Criticism from Various Angles

4.2Exclusionary Approaches towards Indigenous and Other Local Inhabitants

4.3Arctic Indigenous Peoples and their Experiences with the Wilderness Concept

3 Wilderness Protection in Antarctica

1Antarctica – an Introduction

1.1Some General Characteristics in Terms of Size, Climate, Flora and Fauna

1.2Human Presence and Activities in Antarctica

1.3General Legal Framework

2Wilderness of Antarctica

2.1Human Ideas of Antarctica’s Wilderness

2.2Wilderness Perceptions Studied

2.3Antarctica’s Wilderness Qualities

3Development of Tourism and Non-governmental Activities in Antarctica

3.1Development in Numbers

3.2Development of Most Visited Sites

3.3Increasing Diversity

3.4Tourism Related Infrastructure

3.5Impacts of Tourism on Antarctica’s Wilderness

4The Protection of Wilderness in Antarctica in Terms of Tourism and other Non-governmental Activities

4.1The Evolvement of Wilderness Protection in Antarctica within the Antarctic Treaty System

4.2Wilderness Protection under the Environmental Protocol and its Annexes

4.3Regulations with Specific Regard to Antarctic Tourism and Non-governmental Activities

4 Finland

1Hammastunturi – The Area of Study

1.1Some General Characteristics in Terms of Geography, Climate, Flora and Fauna

1.2Human Settlement and Natural Resource Use

1.3General Legal Framework

2Wilderness of Hammastunturi

2.1Finnish Ideas of Wilderness

2.2Perceptions of Wilderness

2.3Hammastunturi’s Wilderness Qualities

3Development of Tourism and Non-governmental Activities

3.1Tourism Development in Lapland

3.2Specifications Towards the Hammastunturi Area

3.3Impacts of Tourism on Hammastunturi’s Wilderness

4The Protection of Wilderness in the Hammastunturi Area in Terms of Tourism and Non-governmental Activities

4.1Policy and Legal Protection of Hammastunturi’s Wilderness – The Main Setting

4.2Regulations with Specific Regard to Tourism and Non-governmental Activities

5 Norway

1Svalbard – The Area of Study

1.1Some General Characteristics in Terms of Geography, Climate, Flora and Fauna

1.2Human Settlement and Natural Resource Use

1.3General Legal Framework

2Wilderness of Svalbard

2.1Norwegian Ideas of Wilderness

2.2Perceptions of Svalbard’s Wilderness

2.3Svalbard’s Wilderness Qualities

3Development of Tourism and Non-governmental Activities in Svalbard

3.1Development in Numbers

3.2Development of Most Visited Sites

3.3Increasing Diversity

3.4Tourism Related Infrastructure

3.5Impacts of Tourism on Svalbard’s Wilderness

4The Protection of Wilderness in Svalbard in Terms of Tourism and Non-governmental Activities

4.1Policy and Legal Protection of Svalbard’s Wilderness – The Main Setting

4.2Regulations with Specific Regard to Tourism and Non-governmental Activities

6 United States

1Denali – The Area of Study

1.1Some General Characteristics in Terms of Geography, Climate, Flora and Fauna

1.2Human Settlement and Natural Resource Use

1.3General Legal Framework

2Wilderness of Denali

2.1Alaska’s Wilderness in Distinction to the Lower 48 Wilderness

2.2Perceptions of Denali’s Wilderness

2.3Denali’s Wilderness Qualities

3Development of Tourism and Non-governmental Activities in Denali

3.1Development in Numbers

3.2Development of Most Visited Sites

3.3Increasing Diversity

3.4Tourism Related Infrastructure

3.5Impacts of Tourism on Denali’s Wilderness

4The Protection of Wilderness in Denali in Terms of Tourism and Non-governmental Activities

4.1Policy and Legal Protection of Denali’s Wilderness – The Main Setting

4.2Regulations with Specific Regard to Tourism and Non-governmental Activities

7 Conclusion and Lessons Learnt

1Summary of Wilderness Protection Approaches in the Polar Regions

1.1Wilderness in the Polar Regions – A Still Abundant but Diminishing Quality

1.2Tourism – A Prospering Industry in the Arctic and the Antarctic

1.3Wilderness Protection Recognized in the Policy and Legal Contexts of Polar Regions

2Analysis and Comparison of Wilderness Protection Approaches in the Polar Regions

2.1The Relevance of Area Protection and Environmental Impact Assessment to Wilderness Protection in the Antarctic and the Arctic Case Study Areas

2.2Regulations with Specific Regard to Tourism and Non-governmental Activities and the Consideration of Wilderness Protection in this Context

3Lessons Learnt for Wilderness Protection in the Antarctic

3.1Wilderness Quality Assessments

3.2Measures Towards Tourism and Non-governmental Activities

3.3Conditions for Taking Wilderness Protection Measures in the Antarctic Context

3.4Chances and Challenges for Realisation

4Questions and Issues to be Addressed in Future

Bibliography

Index

Über Autor(innen)

Antje Neumann holds a Ph.D. from Tilburg University. As a lawyer trained in Germany, she has specialized in Antarctic and Arctic Law and works as Assistant Professor at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Akureyri. Concerning Polar Law issues, she has published several book chapters, journal articles and policy briefings.