The spectacular beauty and rarity of West Australian flora and fauna could contribute to its destruction, with scientists saying nature tourism and influencer culture are putting vulnerable species at risk. New research released Friday reveals the desire to capture photos of rare specimens and post them online is leading to disrupted breeding and feeding patterns and trampling of endangered plant species. Composite image: The everlasting season brings with it a rush of visitors to regional WA.
INSET: Thelymitra porphyrosticta, Southern Queen of Sheba. Credit: Claire Ottaviano While the impact of social media on humans is widely studied, this paper – compiled by some of Australia’s leading environmental scientists at the Kings Park Science program and Edith Cowan, Curtin and Murdoch Universities – is a global first linking social media-driven site visitation with population decline. The issue has become so dominant scientists are using cameras and volunteer patrols to guard critically endangered orchids such as the thelymitra variegata , also known as the Queen of Sheba , says research lead and Edith Cowan school of sciences lecturer Robert Davis.
“We know for sure that the driver of the loss of at least one population was everyone knowing about it and going there to photograph it,” he said. “There were elements of trampling, but also it alerted poachers, and they were dug up. “We talk about Carnaby black cockatoos being threatened, and there might be 50,000 of t.