<
https://theconversation.com/sex-on-the-beach-might-be-fun-for-people-but-its-bad-for-dunes-and-wildlife-171591>
"Sun, surf, sand, sea – and public sex with strangers. These five S’s are a key
part of tourism in the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago west of Morocco.
Unfortunately, what’s fun for humans can be bad for wildlife.
Our new research, released yesterday, found public sex – known as “cruising” –
in the Canary Islands is leading to significant degradation of the Dunes of
Maspalomas, one of Europe’s last naturally functioning transgressive dune
fields (in other words, they move around).
These semi-vegetated and mobile dunes are one of the most popular sightseeing
spots on Gran Canaria island, and are legally protected as a nature reserve.
Unfortunately, they are being loved to death.
We studied almost 300 sex spots across the vegetated section of these dunes,
and found damage to 10 plant species, including three endemic to dune areas.
When plants suffer, so do the animals and reptiles, with rare lizards and
endemic plant species notably impacted.
We’re not calling for an end to public sex – but we do want people to be aware
of the damage it can do."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
