Human–Environmental Relations: Ecotourism and Sustainability

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Topic "Human–Environmental Relations: Ecotourism and Sustainability" aims to explore the complex interactions between ecotourism and sustainable practices, with a particular focus on how human activities impact natural ecosystems. This multidisciplinary Topic seeks to unite research that examines how tourism can contribute to environmental conservation, the economic sustainability of local communities, and the enhancement of quality of life through the responsible use of natural resources.

The goal of this Topic is to bring together contributions from social sciences, ecology, economics, spatial planning, and tourism studies to address the following key issues:

the impact of ecotourism on biodiversity conservation and the management of protected natural areas; sociocultural aspects of ecotourism, including the role of local communities in sustainable development and natural resource preservation; economic sustainability of ecotourism destinations, with a focus on developing sustainable business models; technology and innovation in ecotourism: the role of digital tools in monitoring and improving sustainable practices; challenges of urban ecotourism and managing the balance between urban development and nature conservation; and political and regulatory frameworks that support the development of sustainable ecotourism.

This Topic invites researchers from various disciplines to offer new insights into future trends and challenges in the field of ecotourism and sustainable development. Papers exploring innovative approaches to balancing tourism activities with natural ecosystem preservation, as well as those providing examples of best practices from different regions, will be particularly welcomed.

Prof. Dr. Tamara Gajić
Prof. Dr. Minja Bolesnikov
Prof. Dr. Aleksandar Erceg
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Businesses businesses	-	-	2021	24.7 Days	CHF 1000	Submit
Economies economies	2.1	4.0	2013	21.9 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Humanities humanities	0.3	0.6	2012	27.8 Days	CHF 1400	Submit
Land land	3.2	4.9	2012	16.9 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Sustainability sustainability	3.3	6.8	2009	19.7 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Tourism and Hospitality tourismhosp	-	3.0	2020	17.9 Days	CHF 1200	Submit
Urban Science urbansci	2.1	4.3	2017	20.7 Days	CHF 1600	Submit

MDPI Topics is cooperating with Preprints.org and has built a direct connection between MDPI journals and Preprints.org. Authors are encouraged to enjoy the benefits by posting a preprint at Preprints.org prior to publication:

1. Immediately share your ideas ahead of publication and establish your research priority;
2. Protect your idea from being stolen with this time-stamped preprint article;
3. Enhance the exposure and impact of your research;
4. Receive feedback from your peers in advance;
5. Have it indexed in Web of Science (Preprint Citation Index), Google Scholar, Crossref, SHARE, PrePubMed, Scilit and Europe PMC.

Published Papers (3 papers)

Order results

Content type Publication Date

Result details

Normal Extended Compact

Journals

All Businesses Economies Humanities Land Sustainability Tourism and Hospitality Urban Science

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Plain Text BibTeX BibTeX (without abstracts) Endnote Endnote (without abstracts) Tab-delimited RIS

Error

Oops... you haven't selected anything for export.

Ok

clear

16 pages, 5435 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Mapping and Assessing the Supply and Demand of Rural Recreation Services in National Parks: A Case Study of Qianjiangyuan, Zhejiang, China

by Xiaodong Chen and Chengzhao Wu

Land 2025, 14(2), 302; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14020302 - 1 Feb 2025

Viewed by 203

Abstract

National parks not only protect natural resources but also provide a variety of cultural ecosystem services, with their rural areas serving as important locations for providing rural recreation services (RRS). Spatial quantification of RRS supply and demand will contribute to ensuring the protection [...] Read more.

National parks not only protect natural resources but also provide a variety of cultural ecosystem services, with their rural areas serving as important locations for providing rural recreation services (RRS). Spatial quantification of RRS supply and demand will contribute to ensuring the protection and promotion of human well-being in national parks. In this study, we proposed an integrated framework to map and assess the spatial distribution of RRS supply and demand in Changhong Township, located within Qianjiangyuan National Park. We used a combination of spatial analysis and the MaxEnt model as tools, which played a positive role in saving time when modeling areas providing cultural ecosystem services. Based on the findings, the study area was divided into different zones to propose spatial planning measures. The results showed that (1) the MaxEnt model was robust in mapping RRS supply. RRS supply and demand distribution had high spatial heterogeneity. (2) The proportion of areas where RRS supply exceeded demand was 72.58%, primarily distributed in areas with a high level of naturalness at the periphery of the study area. (3) This study divided Changhong Township into four types of zones: developed recreation service area, potential recreation service area, recreation service demand area, and marginal recreation service area. We proposed suggestions for the scientific utilization and management of RRS in each zone. Overall, our findings provide a scientific basis for planning rural recreation spaces within national parks, promoting the comprehensive utilization of rural cultural ecosystem services. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Human–Environmental Relations: Ecotourism and Sustainability)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 2677 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Livelihood Assets in Affecting Community Adaptive Capacity in Facing Shocks in Karangrejo Village, Indonesia

by Gunawan Prayitno, Aidha Auliah, Achmad Efendi, Ainul Hayat, Aris Subagiyo and Aulia Putri Salsabila

Economies 2025, 13(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/economies13010013 - 8 Jan 2025

Viewed by 407

Abstract

This study addresses a theoretical gap by examining how multiple livelihood assets collectively enhance rural communities’ adaptive capacity and contribute to rural resilience theory. Using structural equation modeling, data were collected from June to August 2024 from 372 randomly selected households in Karangrejo [...] Read more.

This study addresses a theoretical gap by examining how multiple livelihood assets collectively enhance rural communities’ adaptive capacity and contribute to rural resilience theory. Using structural equation modeling, data were collected from June to August 2024 from 372 randomly selected households in Karangrejo Village, Indonesia, to test whether livelihood assets significantly influence adaptive capacity in response to diverse economic, social, and environmental shocks. The findings reveal that human, natural, physical, and social capital show a strong, positive effect on adaptive capacity, whereas financial capital alone does not significantly enhance resilience. Despite the limited geographic scope, the results underscore that comprehensive asset combinations—rather than reliance on a single form of capital—strengthen a community’s capacity to withstand shocks. This integrated perspective suggests that balanced investments across multiple forms of capital foster sustainable and flexible adaptation strategies, enabling communities to navigate uncertainty and maintain stability. The study highlights the critical importance of diversifying livelihood assets to foster long-term rural resilience and improve quality of life, offering practical insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers in developing holistic interventions that support adaptive capacity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Human–Environmental Relations: Ecotourism and Sustainability)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 4334 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Study on the Perception of Cultural Ecosystem Services in Taibai Mountain National Forest Park from Different Stakeholder Perspectives

by Jiaxin Li, Kankan Li, Yanbo Wang and Rui Jiao

Land 2024, 13(12), 2207; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13122207 - 17 Dec 2024

Viewed by 708

Abstract

The core of the cultural services of ecosystems (CESs) is the spiritual connection between humans and nature, and participatory mapping from the stakeholder perspective is an effective method for perceiving and protecting hotspot CES areas. This study used participatory mapping combined with 184 [...] Read more.

The core of the cultural services of ecosystems (CESs) is the spiritual connection between humans and nature, and participatory mapping from the stakeholder perspective is an effective method for perceiving and protecting hotspot CES areas. This study used participatory mapping combined with 184 interviews and questionnaires, completed on 10 December 2023, to investigate the perceptions of CESs in Taibai Mountain National Forest Park by different stakeholder groups; spatial and correlation analyses were used to comparatively analyze the characteristics of the differences in the perceptions of CESs among different stakeholders, the influencing factors, and their spatial distribution patterns. The results show that (1) there is a positive correlation between the literacy level of external stakeholders and the perception of CESs, and there is no significant difference between the differences in the other demographic characteristics of stakeholders (gender, age, occupation, and literacy level) in the perception of CESs. (2) Different stakeholders have convergent perceptions of spiritual and religious values, cultural heritage values, educational values, and inspirational values, whereas there are greater differences in the perceptions of aesthetic values, ecological and recreational values, and local identity values. (3) Different stakeholders of the same CES are strongly correlated, and there is no correlation between spiritual and religious values and other values and no correlation between recreational and ecotourism values and educational and cultural heritage values; however, there is a correlation between all other subcultural services. It is important to fully identify and consider the characteristics of the differences in the perceptions of different stakeholders in CESs to enhance the regional planning and scenic area service function in the study area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Human–Environmental Relations: Ecotourism and Sustainability)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Plain Text BibTeX BibTeX (without abstracts) Endnote Endnote (without abstracts) Tab-delimited RIS

 

Error

Oops... you haven't selected anything for export.

Ok

clear

Displaying articles 1-3