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Assessing biophysical limits to the economic development of remote islands: the case of Isabela in the Galapagos Archipelago

Author

Listed:
  • Camilo Martínez-Iglesias

    (Institut de Ciencia i Tecnologia Ambientals, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona)

  • Alevgül H. Sorman

    (Institut de Ciencia i Tecnologia Ambientals, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona)

  • Mario Giampietro

    (Institut de Ciencia i Tecnologia Ambientals, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona)

  • Jesus Ramos-Martin

    (Centro de Prospectiva Estrategica, Instituto de Altos Estudios Nacionales)

Abstract

In assessing the sustainability of island tourism, the resident population size and yearly number of visitors are key factors. However, to assess the overall resource requirement and environmental impact on local ecosystems, we must also consider the metabolic rates and density of energy and material flows related to the activity of residents and tourists. We present here an innovative approach, the Multi-Scale Integrated Analysis of Societal and Ecosystem Metabolism (MuSIASEM), with the aim of providing an integrated characterization of the metabolic pattern of island tourism. We use the tourism model implemented in the island Isabela in the Galapagos Archipelago as a case study. We show how MuSIASEM allows us to assess the overall requirement of resources and environmental services and the environmental impact for a given model of tourism. MuSIASEM employs a multi-level matrix to represent these characteristics in an integrated way, thus emphasizing the nexus between different biophysical factors.

Suggested Citation

  • Camilo Martínez-Iglesias & Alevgül H. Sorman & Mario Giampietro & Jesus Ramos-Martin, 2014. "Assessing biophysical limits to the economic development of remote islands: the case of Isabela in the Galapagos Archipelago," Documentos de Trabajo CEPROEC 2014_01, Instituto de Altos Estudios Nacionales, Centro de Prospectiva Estratégica.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpe:cpewps:2014_01
    Note: Draft submitted to Tourism Management
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Ginard-Bosch, Francisco Javier & Ramos-Martín, Jesús, 2016. "Energy metabolism of the Balearic Islands (1986–2012)," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 25-35.
    2. Havas, Jarkko & Saito, Osamu & Hanaki, Keisuke & Tanaka, Toshinori, 2016. "Perceived landscape values in the Ogasawara Islands," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 18(C), pages 130-140.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Isabela; Galapagos; Tourism Development; Societal Metabolism; MuSIASEM; Nexus;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q20 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - General
    • Q51 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Valuation of Environmental Effects
    • Q57 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Ecological Economics
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes
    • R12 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade (economic geography)

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