New Project to Map Environmental Impact From Tourism Using Satellite Images

With the help of satellite images, researchers are setting out to map the wear and tear on nature as a result of increased tourism. 

"Previously, there has been a strong focus on counting the number of visitors, but this project will map the actual wear and tear caused by the visits. There can be a big difference in how many visitors nature in the north and south can withstand," says Researcher Elina Hutton to High North News.

She is the project manager for the new research project SALT Trail 2.0. The project is funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) and carried out by the Lofoten company Salt. 

The project is a feasibility study that will look at how Earth observation data (SatEO) can be used to monitor environmental impacts from nature-based tourism over large geographical areas.

"The testing will primarily take place in Lofoten, Northern Norway," says Hutton, but adds that other areas such as Jotunheimen National Park are also on the agenda. She says it is important to test several types of nature, to know whether the technique can be used in different places.

Open maps

The idea originated from a journalist who contacted Hutton about an informal hiking trail that had become very popular on Instagram. The area had suffered significant wear and tear due to its popularity, and the journalist kept hearing that the trail was listed on maps.

"I knew from previous work that OpenStreetMap uses satellite images to detect paths," explains Hutton.

Paths can be detected and automatically added to the map or entered by users. The paths that are added can be official, a footpath, or even a reindeer trail. From there, the paths can gain extra attention through social media.

"Paths are, in other words, visible from space, and I got into a conversation with a colleague about how we can use this information for something good."

Predict upcoming problem areas

Hutton hopes that the project can help document the degradation of the paths.

"That way, you can argue that something needs to be done. If the degradation is not documented, it becomes more difficult to get money to fix it or even to argue that something needs fixing," says the researcher.

But the main goal is to be able to predict which areas are at risk of disproportionate environmental impact.

"We hope to be able to develop a tool that can also predict the next place where degradation may occur. If it can be detected early, preventive measures can be implemented early on."

Northern nature is particularly vulnerable

Hutton explains that the project is especially relevant in the Arctic because the nature in the North is particularly vulnerable and takes longer to recover than further south. 

"Things change faster in the Arctic, and the changes in the landscape can be huge," says Hutton and continues:

"The nature in the north takes a long time to recover. The plants have adapted to short summers and tough conditions. They neither grow nor spread quickly. When the soil is damaged, it becomes very difficult for these plants to grow back."

"Climate change is spreading invasive species further north and higher up in the mountains. This means that it is often these plants that take over during recovery and not the original native plants."

The researcher adds that the landscape in the north will change if it is not managed and that it is important to consider the differences between the North and the South. 

"That is why it is important not just to count the number of visitors, but the actual degradation. In the south, a path might withstand 20,000 visitors, while 1,000 visitors on a path in the north can have far worse consequences," warns Hutton.

Marketing

In conclusion, the researcher says she hopes the project can elevate the conversation about tourism in Scandinavia and the marketing carried out by the tourist industry. 

"This project highlights a very relevant problem in Scandinavia, where we have the right to roam and where tourism is on the verge of getting completely out of control."

"The tourism industry markets untouched nature, and they constantly find new paths to advertise. People are sent to new places that may not be able to withstand that many people," she says and concludes:

"I hope we can have the conversation about how long we can really continue like this in the tourism industry. Tourism operators should be involved in discussions about where we should direct tourists and whether they need to be constantly sent to new paths."