Climate change risks on protected areas ecotourism: shocks and stressors perspectives in Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania

Protected areas worldwide, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites, face significant risks from climate change due to their high dependence on natural ecosystems and climate conditions. A study conducted between 2012 and 2014 in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania, identified key climate-related shocks—such as recurrent droughts, political unrest, global terrorism, and disease outbreaks—and stressors like water shortages, vegetation changes, biodiversity loss, and increased livestock and human diseases. These findings highlight the vulnerability of ecotourism in protected areas to climate change, providing a foundation for further vulnerability assessments and adaptation strategies. The research used focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews to gather data on stakeholders' awareness and perceptions of climate change, offering critical insights for conservation and tourism planning.

Mkiramweni, N. P., DeLacy, T., Jiang, M., & Chiwanga, F. E. (2016). Climate change risks on protected areas ecotourism: shocks and stressors perspectives in Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania. Journal of Ecotourism, 15(2), 139–157. https://doi.org/10.1080/14724049.2016.1153645