Holistic Appraisal of Environmental Change and Resilience of Tourism Resources in Mountainous Regions

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K20567
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 80020:Tourism studies-related
• Research Institution: Wakayama University
• Principal Investigator: Chakraborty Abhik 和歌山大学, 観光学部, 准教授 (70784776)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 山岳環境 / 自然変化 / レジリアンス / アルパイン・ツーリズム / 動的自然 / 人新せ / 自然保護 / 北アルプス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This research provided important insight on the complex challenges involving natural environments of mountain regions as well as their fragility due to rapid environmental change. Throughout the project period, empirical research was conducted with interviews, surveys, participant observations, and landscape evaluation in the North Japan Alps area; and was backed up by literature research on different mountain locales and their changing environments around the world. The research analyzed the inherent complexity and dynamic nature of mountain environments, their facility, and issues regarding recreation and management of these systems. The research shed light on emerging issues in alpine tourism, mountainous protected areas, condition of tourism resources, and resilience of mountain environments and communities. The results were disseminated through 5 internationally peer-reviewed articles and 4 academic conference presentations within the project period.

Free Research Field

観光学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の主な学術的意義は、山岳地域特有の自然環境の複合性と脆弱性の解明及び、山岳地域を取り巻くツーリズムの特徴と自然の多様性の保全と観光利用の「ズレ」の解明にある。山岳地域の景観を作り出すのは巨大な時間スケールで働く自然的営みと瞬間的に現れる自然的撹乱の両方であるが、現在のツーリズムでは山岳景観の複合性や脆弱度について理解を深める機会が少ないため、保護の仕組みや環境教育を用いた対策が求められる。