The quest for the ideal selfie or stunning landscape photo is taking a toll on nature, according to a recent research partnership.
The quest for the ideal selfie or stunning landscape photo is taking a toll on nature, according to a recent research partnership.
A study conducted by researchers from Edith Cowan University (ECU), Curtin University, Murdoch University, and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions’ Kings Park Science program has revealed multiple ways that the rise of social media negatively affects the environment. This includes disruptions to the feeding and breeding behaviors of wildlife, as well as damage to endangered plant species.
“The emergence of social media has caused an environmental impact that would not have occurred otherwise,” stated Dr. Rob Davis, a Senior Lecturer in Vertebrate Biology at ECU.
“Social media platforms have enabled people to easily pinpoint the locations of endangered plant species or the nesting grounds of various animal species. This information spreads rapidly, leading to a significant increase in visitors to areas that would typically remain pristine.”
“Consequently, the breeding and feeding habits of animals are disrupted, and the risk of predation rises. Additionally, using call playback, drones, or handling wildlife for photos can leave lasting consequences,” Dr. Davis added.
Indirect effects include the spread of diseases and an uptick in the poaching of plants and animals.
According to Associate Professor Bill Bateman from Curtin University’s School of Molecular and Life Sciences, a wide variety of species are experiencing negative consequences due to behaviors associated with social media.
“The Blue-crowned Laughingthrush, a critically endangered bird, has exhibited changed nesting habits due to the disturbances caused by photographers,” Associate Professor Bateman reported.
“Orchids, too, are particularly vulnerable to damage from foot traffic and changes to their habitats, with many species facing threats from increased tourism and recreational activities encouraged by social media.”
“Moreover, it’s not limited to terrestrial and aerial species: the use of flash photography and disturbances from divers can have adverse effects on marine animals, such as whale sharks and other sensitive aquatic life.”
Dr. Belinda Davis, a research scientist in the Kings Park program with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, highlighted how orchids are a popular subject in social media posts, with numerous groups dedicated solely to sharing photos of native orchids.
“These groups can have over 10,000 members, meaning that the rapid sharing of flowering locations leads to increased foot traffic in these areas, posing an emerging threat,” she explained.
“Orchids rely on very specific interactions with certain species of pollinators and fungi. Excessive visitation not only directly harms orchids through trampling but can also disrupt the delicate ecological relationships they depend on, making them more susceptible to population decline,” she noted.
THE SUNNY SIDE
Despite the challenges posed by social media encroaching into natural habitats, photography can serve as a powerful tool for conservation, fostering greater environmental awareness and opportunities for education and stewardship, according to Dr. Davis.
“The wide reach of social media allows content to be utilized by scientists and land management professionals for conservation efforts, effectively ‘data mining’ user-generated content or engaging with ‘citizen scientists’ to gather data as a natural byproduct of their social media use.”
Moreover, social media has led to the identification of several new plant species.
The research partnership calls for the development of ethical guidelines and stricter regulations regarding the promotion and sharing of flora and fauna on social media.
“We suggest a framework that identifies the species most at risk from social media activity, especially those that are rare, stationary, and have limited distribution,” Dr. Davis proposed.
“Given the prevalent nature of social media, it is difficult to control or limit access to specific species or natural hotspots that attract social media attention. Therefore, the best approach combines on-the-ground management, access restrictions at key public sites, collaboration with various stakeholders, and enhanced education to promote responsible behavior when interacting with nature.”
“Various nature organizations already have established ethical guidelines covering responsible conduct in activities like birdwatching, bird photography, and orchid photography. These guidelines offer a solid foundation but are not legally binding; they rely on individuals to act ethically and put pressure on one another to address inappropriate behavior.”
“Nonetheless, these practices may represent our best chance to mitigate impacts on biodiversity, and organizations lacking such ethical guidelines could face scrutiny,” he concluded.
