The structure and function of each ecosystem highly depends on the level of water availability. Understanding the level of complexity among biota in relation to abiotic factors enables the ability to better conserve and maintain their biodiversity levels under the complex alterations of climate change.  Ecotourism is a newly applied practice of tourism of those areas.  Proper practice of Ecotourism could be used as a tool to achieve the better conserve those ecosystems and ultimately conserve the water of those areas.

• Introduce the complexity of structure and function of ecosystems in relation to water
• Educate on the needs of biota in regards to water utilization under the continuous challenges of climate change
• Introduce Ecotourism based on updated literature. Clarify the need to use “proper” practice of Ecotourism as a tool to conserve water
• The use of Ecotourism as an intermediate to conserve ecosystems

On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to:

• Understand the importance on water on the proper structure and function of ecosystems
• The increasing need to practice proper Ecotourism
• Ability to use Ecotourism as mean to conserve ecosystems and water under the challenges of climate change

6 credits

1. Arraiza M.P., J.V. López-Alvarez and J.L. García-Rodríguez (eds.) Management of Sustainable and Ecological Tourism. Fundación Conde del Valle de Salazar. Pp. 686. (2015).
2. Iakovoglou V. and G.N. Zaimes. 2017. Enhancing rural areas while safeguarding ecosystems through sustainable practice of Ecosystem Based Approaches (EBA) with emphasis on ecotourism. International Journal of Economic Plants, 4(3): 134-136.
3. Iakovoglou V., G.N.Zaimes, M.P. Arraiza Bermúdez-Cañete, J.L. García, M.C. Giménez, C. Calderón-Guerrero, F. Ioras and I. Abrudan. Understanding and Enhancing Ecotourism Opportunities through Education. World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology International Journal of Environmental, Chemical, Ecological, Geological and Geophysical Engineering, 9(8): 2760-2764.