ŠKOCJANSKI ZATOK NATURE RESERVE AS OPPORTUNITY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF ECOLOGICAL TOURISM

ŠKOCJANSKI ZATOK NATURE RESERVE AS OPPORTUNITY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF ECOLOGICAL TOURISM Igor Jurinčič Gregor Balažič Ljudmila Sinkovič UDC 338.48:711.2:504](497.4) Received 23 February 2011 Revised 4 May 2011 5 September 2011 Abstract Protected nature reserves represent one of the measures to preserve natural environment. In Slovenia 12.57 % of the total area is environmentally protected. One of those areas is the Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve in the immediate vicinity of Koper/Capodistria. It is the largest brackish wetland in Slovenia with a unique environment for thriving flora and fauna. The manager of the nature reserve, which is open to the public, is DOPPS BirdLife Slovenia that manages the nature reserve and organises guided tours for visitors. The reserve is due to its location and a great variety of specific plant and animal species an ideal opportunity for a development of environmentally and ecologically oriented tourism activity. The environmental planning has to be therefore strictly in line with nature protection measures as only sustainable development of the nature reserve can enable its successful development in the sense of ecological tourism forms. With the help of the SWOT analysis this paper tries to establish the potentials of the development for ecological forms of tourism in the nature reserve, and attempts to give suggestions for some suitable forms of interpretation. It also states a critical reflection on the prospective reserve management and provides some suggestions on visiting issues and sustainable development of the area. Keywords Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve, Interpretation, Ecological tourism, SWOT analysis THE FORMATION OF THE ŠKOCJAN ZATOK NATURE RESERVE AND ITS MEANING The Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve is situated today in the immediate vicinity of Koper/Capodistria and it is a remaining of the sea that once surrounded the town. Two rivers that ran into the sea (the Badaševica and the Rižana rivers) caused the area to become a marshland. The formation of the Škocjanski zatok itself is linked to the development of the town of Koper/Capodistria and its port as in the 1960 s the activities to dry up the bay and to eliminate the remaining bay-water started. The area that from the 13 th century to 1911 hosted the Škocjan saltpans turned into the largest brackish wetland in Slovenia with a unique environment for thriving flora and fauna. The manager of the nature reserve, which is open to the public, DOPPS BirdLife Slovenia in association with the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning has set up the nature reserve and organises guided tours for visitors. The reserve is due to its location and a great variety of specific plant and animal species an ideal opportunity for a development of environmentally and ecologically oriented tourism activity. The 147

environmental planning has to be therefore strictly in line with nature protection measures as only sustainable development of the nature reserve can enable its successful development in the sense of ecological tourism forms. Map 1: Location of Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve in Slovenia Source: ARSO 2011a The reserve is of an immense importance for the variety of its plant and animals forms that can be found here. Since 1999 some 230 different sorts of birds including 40 breeders have been sighted here. New nesting birds in the reserve since 2006 are Garganey (Anas querquedula), Mute Swan (Cygnus olor), Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius), Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) and White-winger Black Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus). Most frequently recorded migratory and wintering species are Black-headed Gull (larus ridibundus), Common Starling (sturnus vulgaris), Mallard (anas platyhrynchos), Goldfinch (carduelis carduelis), Common Coot (fulica atra), Common Teal (anas crecca), Yellow-legged Gull (larus cachinnans), Little Egret (egretta garzetta), House Sparrow (passer domesticus), Northern Shoveler (anas cylpeata), Grey Heron (ardea cinerea), Reed Bunting (emberiza shoeniclus), House Martin (delichon urbica), Barn Swallow (hirundo rustica), Green Shank (tringa nebularia) and Eurasian Curlew (numenius arquata). The nature reserve is a semi-closed system of fresh and salt water (a shallow lagoon) with a salty ground that on some spots becomes silt. It is therefore ideal for growing of a variety of halophyte plants such as glasswort (salicornia europea) and sea lavender (limonium angustifolium). The Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve is the biggest brackish wetland in Slovenia (Naravni rezervat Škocjanski zatok, 2011). 148

Sustainable Tourism: Socio-Cultural, Socio Environmental and Economics Impact, pp. 147-158 158, 2011 I. Jurinčič, G. Balažič, Lj. Sinkovič: Sinkovi ŠKOCJANSKI ZATOK NATURE URE RESERVE AS OPPORTUNITY... Map 2: Location of Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve in Slovene Istria Source: ARSO 2011b ECOLOGICAL TOURISM AND PROTECTED NATURE RESERVES The trends and different researches of the world tourism market show that the use of internet in order to search information and buying of tourism products grow together with the ecological awareness of the population especially in the northern part of the European Union. The changes on the economic, political and demographic levels le strongly affect the tourism market (recession or inflation, wars or terrorism, diseases or epidemics, intolerance, racism). These factors have negative effects on the quantity of travels, the average stay, the spending and the reputation of the tourist tourist destination (UNWTO, 2010). In the light of these facts there is an opening for a development the new opportunities of environmentally friendly forms of tourism. Ecological tourism, eco-tourism eco tourism or green tourism that has developed recently and is a critical al reaction to mass or industrial tourism emphasises a very special position of the nature (Fennel, 2008). Ecological tourism: 1. Encompasses all forms of tourism that base on nature; the basic motif of a tourist visit is observation and admiring of nature nature as well as traditional cultures in their natural environment. environment 2. Includes education and interpretation of tourist resources to the visitors. visitors 3. In general, but not always, it is dedicated to small organised groups guided by specialised, small local organisations; organisations; however they can be organised by large, mainstream companies but for small tourist groups. groups 4. Ensures economic benefits through careful management of the nature reserves without endangering the natural and socio-cultural environment. 149

The demand for natural and environmental products is constantly growing and the offer of those is among the fastest growing tourist products. The ecological tourism represents at least 30% of the tourism share for the moment. The offer reaches from observation and research of nature reserves to outdoor leisure activities where the nature is only a backdrop (Jurinčič, 2009). Nature reserves and countryside can offer great possibilities for development of ecological tourism. The outdoor activities, observation of nature, education in natural local environment can be linked to the learning of quality local gastronomy and staying in an authentic local environment, which is a win-win situation for the locals as well as for the visitors. Every development in a protected area must strictly be in accordance with the nature protection measures. A carefully designed development of ecological tourism is a good decision for the protection of nature as well as successful development of nature reserves in Slovenia and the Natura 2000 areas. In Slovenia there are several levels of nature protection. There is currently 1 national park, 3 regional parks, 43 landscape parks, 1 strictly protected nature reserve, 54 nature reserves and 1277 natural monuments. In total 254,847 hectares of land, some 12.57% of the total area of the country is environmentally protected (ARSO, 2010). One among the above-mentioned 54 nature reserves is the Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve near Koper/ Capodistria. It is the largest brackish wetland of Slovenia and its status as nature reserve is defined by a special act of law that defines its area, protection policy, development, management, supervision and legal definitions (Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve Act, Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, Nr. 20/98). Photo 1: The entrance into the Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve from Ankaran/Ancarano Photo: Gregor Balažič The areas under special protections and limitations require especially careful development and environmental planning (ecologically important areas, the central parts of protected areas Natura 2000, water protection areas, the Karst region and the areas with strong winds). These are in general homogeneous geographical units that need further carefully planned management and development. Among such areas we can count also the protected areas where nature or a part of it, plants or animals as well as their natural habitat or even a complete eco-system are protected by the law. The coastal parks and sea nature reserves, which the Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve 150

belongs to, are worldwide considered as successful and often also a profitable form of natural protection. It is erroneously to assume that the protection activities exclude all other activities. On the contrary, the protected areas represent an opportunity for a further development, in compliance with the law and environmental planning acts. Protective, educational, scientific, recreational and tourist components are very welcome in the protected areas as they help enforce the principles of sustainable development, bring new jobs, and contribute to the recognition of the area (Turk, 2003). It is highly important to design the management plans for the protected areas and nature reserves that encourage the development of ecological tourism whereby different activities and every-day life in these areas are in accordance with the protection of nature. The role of ecological forms of tourism in the protected natural environment is: to present park s specific features in different ways only by considering the appropriate approach and interpretation; to complete the existing and to add new tourist products that will not burden the environment; a developmental opportunity of the local population considering their participation to offer a comprehensive view on the area that is carefully regulated and characterized by a professional management Besides the potential advantages of tourism in protected areas such as nature protection (ecological processes and biodiversity), preserving of natural and cultural heritage, improvement of economic possibilities (employment possibilities, growing income and promotion), quality of life improvement in the local community (recognition of aesthetic, environmental and other values as well as awareness of the local population and visitors of nature as a value), one should also be aware that such development bring about some potential disadvantages as well. We must bear in mind the increased waste pollution, traffic increase, increased financial burden due to the price rise of the basic goods and increased social strain because of noise, lack of recreational areas and vandalism (Sovinc & Morgan, 2003). In order to avoid these disadvantages a careful environmental planning that enables the preservation of nature as well as ecological forms of tourism is of a crucial importance. Prior to any tourism planning in the protected areas, the findings and recommendations for the planning of tourism in protected areas must be taken into consideration. Every development in the protected area must be, of course, adapted to the conservation measures (Jurinčič & Popič, 2009). From this point of view special indicators should be designed in the protected areas to monitor the carrying capacity to avoid the negative effects on the environment. THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE PARK AND ADVANTAGES OF TOURIST VISITORS The Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning in association with DOPPS BirdLife Slovenia has set up a park in the Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve. In 2007 they arranged some 2-kilometre-long nature trail on the drained Bertoki/Bertocchi marshland and furnished it with four observation points. The nature trail boasts now with five observation points: four are recent and the remaining one dates as far back as 2000 and gives the view of the brackish lagoon. 151

Photo 2: An observation point Photo: Gregor Balažič By the end of 2012 the Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve is due to be finalized. By that time the entire infrastructure in the reserve, among others the visitors centre with a classroom in open nature and a playground is to be built in the immediate vicinity of the reserve entrance. Next to the visitors centre a cattle barn is planned. Halfway between the fresh water and the brackish part of the reserve a central observation point is planned offering the visitors a view over the entire reserve. The cellar of the observation point is to be furnished with a glass wall enabling to watch the underwater life in the fresh water part of the marshland. There is also a small observation point planned on the other side of the lagoon below the Ankaran/Ancarano road. A short path across the meadows on the western part of the reserve will lead up to this observation point. At the beginning of this path a smaller entrance object will be build to mark the reserve entrance on the outskirts of the town centre. To attract very diverse visitors group the nature reserve accesses and nature trails are adjusted to visitors with special needs the blind, visually impaired and motorically handicapped (archives of DOPPS - BirdLife Slovenia). Photo 3: Interpretative panel in the Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve Photo: Gregor Balažič 152

THE SWOT ANALYSIS OF THE ŠKOCJANSKI ZATOK NATURE RESERVE The results of the SWOT analysis show that the vicinity of the town of Koper/ Capodistria is an advantage and opportunity, but it brings along also threats and disadvantages. The Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve represent an additional value in the town of Koper/Capodistria tourist offer. It gives a new quality to the variety of tourism offer as well as to the interweaving of the cultural and natural tourism. Due to its environmental importance and due to the variety of flora and fauna the nature reserve carries a great potential as open space. On the other hand an urban centre with a pronounced port activity (the Port of Koper) in the immediate vicinity represents an immense threat to the reserve. The new road connections and shopping centres have significantly increased sound and light pollution, which could have negative effects on the biodiversity of the reserve in the long run. STRENGTHS intact nature very high biodiversity rich and unique flora and fauna birds used to their living space preserving of a nature reserve in the middle of an urban area possibility of active spending of free time in nature an active concern about the future plans and strategies high engagement and motivation of the manager vicinity of the town of Koper/ Capodistria relatively low entrance fee accessible for the people with special needs (the blind and visually impaired) interpretations for school groups, the blind and visually impaired clear information and interpretation boards publications in Slovene, Italian and English language clear and comprehensive web site the slogan Green Heart of Koper WEAKNESSES vicinity of Koper/ Capodistria (the port, shopping centres, motorway, garbage disposal, a potential meeting point of youth in the lagoon, air pollution) poor road signs unsuitable parking lot the absence of toilettes a low level of recognition with a local population as well as broader public weather-dependent the lack of litter bins shortage of tourism-schooleducated personnel deficiency of promotion strategy and nature reserve marketing strategy 153

OPPORTUNITIES promotion of nature as value an example of re-achieving the natural balance management of Škocjanski zatok Natural Reserve as example of good practice numerous possibilities for further development of nature reserve long-term preservation of flora and fauna taking part in different projects demand for active and ecological tourism is in an upward trend interpretation designs for different market groups (ornithologists, photographic tourism, visitors from abroad) raising of awareness and educational work for the local population activating of volunteers connection of quality nature experience with science and research work contacts to nearby landscape parks and joint tourist promotion new job opportunities possibility of work practice for the students of adequate profiles development of a broader area with nature reserve as an integral product fir the nature lovers THREATS shortage of financial means to maintain the nature reserve too many visitors in relation to carrying capacity pollution (vicinity of an urban centre and of traffic infrastructure) vandalism non-compliance with the nature reserve conduct codex conflict of interests with the local community due to different development plans Source: 27 students of the 3 rd year of the University of Primorska, Faculty of Tourism Studies Portorož Turistica, field work Interpretation of Tourist Resources, school year 2010/11 The cleaning and re-achieving of natural balance in the Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve took place under the strict supervision of the environmentalists. The management of the reserve and the promotion of nature as value can be counted as an example of good practice. The respecting of nature protection rules enables a number of possibilities for leisure activities, ecological tourism and educational as well as science and research activities. While designing the offer of the public-open nature reserve the following principle is observed: We must move nature closer to people, not people to nature. (Vidmar 2003, 65). Good work and mutual cooperation with the local population are crucial at 154

this point. Education and awareness of the uniqueness of the reserve help protect and appreciate it; they also make the locals more strongly identify themselves with their immediate environment. The reserve is already a part of the Northern Adriatic Wetlands Network. Its potentially closer connection with the nearby parks such as the Landscape Park Sečovlje Salt Pans and the Landscape Park of Strunjan could lead to a more active tourist promotion of Slovene Istria as green destination. The Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve, in connection with the neighbouring tourist products providers (tourist farms with traditional local cuisine and accommodation, ecological tourist farms, authentic souvenirs makers), has a potential to develop a tailor-made tourist offer of the highest quality. Due to a financial means shortage on the personnel level there is for the moment not a single employee with the specific expert knowledge and experience in the field of tourism (the organizer of tourism). Such a person would be crucial to connect and organise different tourist service providers as well as to develop and promote new tourist products. Together with his/her co-workers (environmentalists) and in respect of nature protection and sustainable growth guidelines such a person could significantly enlarge the existing interpretations. The students of different study programmes could get the possibility of work practice and would be able to shape the themes for the final project assignments. The year 2011, the European Year of Volunteering, gives us the opportunity to invite the volunteers from Slovenia and abroad to participate in the activities of the nature reserve. A very good example of good practice is environmental volunteering. The research on volunteering, published by the Scottish Natural Heritage in 2006, shows that over 23.000 people in Scotland are already involved in environmental volunteering. It is reported that in 2009 some 6% of adults in Scotland had volunteered on a biodiversity related project in the last 12 months. In such a way volunteers have an excellent opportunity to learn about nature at first hand, learn new skills and change their lifestyle into more sustainable one (Scottish Natural Heritage, 2011). The construction of carefully designed information centre with exhibition rooms, lecture room, library, dormitory and toilet rooms will considerably enrich the observation of nature and at the same time enable the visit of the nature reserve and realisation of all activities in any weather condition. INTERPRETATION OF ECOLOGICAL TOURISM FORMS IN THE NATURE RESERVE The most effective interpreters orchestrate their interpretation to elicit a response from the audience: astonishment, wonder, inspiration, action, sometimes tears (Beck & Cable 2002, 2). While planning the interpretation one should consider educational, emotional and behavioural goals. Three key questions should be answered here, namely what do we want the visitor to learn, feel and do. The interpretation must be adjusted to different market segments (pre-school children, school children, students, families with children, visitors with special needs, pensioners, visitors from abroad, nature lovers). The Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve 155

can offer within its financial, spatial and personnel possibilities a personal interpretation for school groups as well as impersonal interpretation in the form of interpretative boards. The construction of the information centre will help to enrich the interpretation for different market segments. The visitor groups to the Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve that counts more than 10 persons can choose between a one-hour guided tour and an expert two-hour guided tour of the reserve. The school groups as well as other educational oriented visitors can enjoy a carefully prepared interpretation consisting of a short lecture and fieldwork where the visitors learn about the flora and fauna of the Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve with emphasis on birds and birds protection. There are also educational sheets at their disposal adapted to the age and educational level of the target group (Mozetič, 2010). The independent orientation of the blind and visually impaired has been taken care of by setting up physical marks on the pavement. The most recent acquisition has been the construction of the touch model of the nature reserve for the blind and visually impaired. The raised-relief map with the symbols that can be felt and finger-read by the visually impaired represent the area of the nature reserve (Naravni rezervat Škocjanski zatok, 2011). The interpretation for the foreign language-speaking visitors from different cultural environments demands an excellent command of their language as well as the knowledge of their culture and customs in order to avoid potential cultural misunderstandings. The travel motives should also be taken into consideration. The most important travel motive to visit Slovenia is for a majority of British tourists natural beauty (www.slovenia.info), which means that the interpretation version of the Škocjan zatok Nature Reserve for the British visitors should be made with a special emphasis on ornithology. The most important travel motive for the Germans is to get away from everyday routine and wellness but the German market has recently shown a growing demand for a higher specialisation and differentiation of a tourist offer. A photographic workshop would therefore be a recommendable interpretation in this case. These are only two possible examples of the interpretation for visitors from abroad whereby it must be underlined that the interpretation possibilities for the target groups are really numerous. CONCLUSION The significance of environmental factors and high-quality natural environment by tourist demands for holidays and leisure activities has increased. The Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve is the largest brackish wetland in Slovenia. Due to its location and a great variety of specific plant and animal species it is an ideal opportunity for the development of environmentally and ecologically oriented tourism activity. Therefore the environmental planning has to be strictly in line with nature protection measures as only sustainable development of the nature reserve can enable its successful development in the sense of ecological tourism forms. 156

With the SWOT analysis we pointed out the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the development for ecological forms of tourism in the Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve. The results of the SWOT analysis have shown the potentials for development of ecological forms of tourism in the nature reserve and their potential interweaving into integral products of the Slovene Istria tourist destination. Furthermore some possible interpretations for different target groups were suggested and explicated. Due to the expected increase of visitors we strongly recommend that the manager consider and respect the carrying capacity of the reserve in order to ensure the sustainable development of tourism in the nature reserve and in Slovene Istria tourist destination. Photo 4: Boškarin, Istrian grey cattle Photo: Igor Brajnik ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to thank Bojana Lipej to guide us and our students through the Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve and for all the information and material she provided us with. 157

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