Online Archive of University of Virginia Scholarship
Ecotourism and Cave Conservation69 views
Author
Shaffer, Lance, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Virginia
Advisors
Elliott, Travis, EN-Engineering and Society, University of Virginia
Abstract
This paper examines the complex interplay between ecotourism, technological development, and cave conservation through the lens of the Social Construction of Technology (SCOT) framework. As interest in cave tourism grows, fragile subterranean ecosystems face increasing threats from human activity, including environmental disruption from artificial lighting, altered microclimates, and increased pollution. By analyzing the perspectives of key stakeholders—tourists, conservationists, local communities, researchers, and policymakers—this study reveals how competing interests shape the technologies and policies governing cave accessibility. The paper argues that achieving sustainable cave tourism requires negotiating these diverse interpretations to balance environmental preservation with social and economic demands, emphasizing the need for adaptable, stakeholder-informed conservation strategies.
Degree
BS (Bachelor of Science)
Language
English
Rights
All rights reserved (no additional license for public reuse)
Shaffer, Lance. Ecotourism and Cave Conservation. University of Virginia, School of Engineering and Applied Science, BS (Bachelor of Science), 2025-05-02, https://doi.org/10.18130/8d79-hy20.
