Knowledge increases awareness of biodiversity despite firsthand experiences
Thursday, October 13, 2016 - 11:01
in Biology & Nature
Protecting an ecological paradise like the island of Santa Cruz can be challenging for its resource managers who want to maximize visitor experiences while minimizing negative impacts on the park. As the largest of five islands in Channel Islands National Park off the coast of California, Santa Cruz boasts over 2,000 species of plants and animals, some of which are not found anywhere else on earth. But a recent University of Illinois study says the island's rich biodiversity may not be what's valued most by its stakeholders.