Minimal Impact

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Minimal Impact
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• Throughout time humans have altered the
  environment to meet their needs, often without
  thought for the consequences. This has led to
  impacts on nature that will continue to escalate
  in the 21st century.

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• Many human-initiated changes have had an adverse
  effect on aspects of the environment. In the
  relatively short amount of time since European
  settlement, the Australian landscape has
  undertaken significant change.

4

• Since European settlement, large areas of land
  have been cleared for farming or harvested of
  timber for building and development, urban
  development and the introduction of feral animals
  and plants.

5

• Recreation practices can have a significant
  impact on the environment. Even minor changes to
  an environment can cause an impact

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• For example, the availability of food in rubbish
  dumps has led to an increase in scavenging birds
  such as silver gulls. As a result species that
  compete with it have decreased in numbers or
  disappeared.

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• Another example is shark netting around popular
  beaches. This has been linked to a reduction in
  the number of large marine animals such as
  dolphins and turtles.

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TASK

• As a recreational user of _____________(pick an
  activity) list steps you took or could take to
  reduce the impact your visit had on the
  environment.
• Some possible responses include
• Taking your rubbish home
• Keep out of sensitive alpine bog areas unless
  heavily snow covered
• Dont feed native animals
• Use the toilets provided