Human impact and Fossil tourism Fossils Human Impact

Human impact and Fossil tourism Fossils

Human Impact on Biodiversity and the Natural Environment. Threats to Biodiversity and the Natural Environment Some of the treats are listed below: 1. Habitat destruction 2. Natural disasters 3. Over-exploitation 4. Pollution 5. Pesticides and fertilizers 6. Climate change 7. Alien invasive species 8. Disease

Fossil tourism is a type of ecotourism, but in fossil tourism the main attraction is its fossils. One of the most famous fossils sites is the Cradle of Humankind. The Cradle of Humankind is found in Gauteng and North West Province.

Fossil tourism Cradle of Humankind Found in Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai regions. It is a World Heritage Site since 1999. It is one of the richest source of fossils of early humans. Nearly half of all human-ancestor fossils have been found here.

Fossil tourism West Coast Fossil Park The West Coast Fossil Park is found in the Western Cape Province. It is found along the west coast, a few kilometers inland of the Langebaan Lagoon. This was once a phosphate mine. It has the greatest diversity of five million old fossils. It contained the fossils of the first bear ever found south of the Sahara. Fossils of the extinct true seal and four extinct species of penguins were found here.

Fossil tourism West Coast Fossil Park The many hand on activities at the park that makes it very exciting for the tourist. Tourists can sift in the sand looking for fossils, with the promise that if you find something new ( no one has found) then it will be named after you. Plans have been put into place to start a national fossil and rock art route, that joins the Fossil Park to the Cradle.

Fossil tourism Museums Important fossils have been moved to museums once they have been discovered. The dinosaur fossil found in the Karoo have been moved to the museum in Graaff-Reinet. The museums become important fossil tourist attractions.

Fossil tourism Kitching Fossil Exploration Centre • Situated in the heart of the Karoo, in the town of Nieu -Bethedsa, in the Eastern Cape and it tells the story of life in South Africa 253 million years ago during the Permian Period. • • Life-sized models of prehistoric animalswhich once lived in the Karoo and paintings by the artist Gerhard Marx illustrate a time when there were no flowers or grasses, no mammals and no birds. The Centre also has displays on some of the latest and hottest fossil finds like Homo naledi and Australopihecus sediba.

Fossil tourism Advantages of Fossil Tourism Fossil tourism: 1. Creates jobs. 2. Generates income for people living in these areas. 3. Creates business opportunities for travel agents and tour operators.

Terminology: Fossil tourism is a type of ecotourism, where the main attraction is its fossils.