Influencers are bad for nature, too

New research has found that influencers, in their search for perfect photo locations, are negatively affecting nature and biodiversity.

The term ‘selfie’ first appeared in print more than twenty years ago, transforming the photo-taking culture. Since then, taking selfies has become a form of self-expression among the younger generation. However, craving likes on social media can come at a high cost – even a life.

According to a study published in the Journal of Travel Medicine in 2022, 379 deaths occurred over the previous 13 years while trying to capture the perfect shot. The deceased suffered accidents while taking images at various precarious locations around the world, including railway tracks and bridges and in the vicinity of wild animals at safari parks.

While selfie-related deaths are more lethal than shark attacks to social media users, a current study reveals that the harmful impact of social media extends to nature and biodiversity as well.

Researchers from Edith Cowan University (ECU), Curtin University, Murdoch University, and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attraction's Kings Park Science program in Australia have raised alarms about social media's impact on biodiversity.

Exotic pictures disturb animal life

Social media has been a major contributor to nature tourism and photography. According to researchers, this increase in tourism causes direct and indirect disturbance to wildlife.

"The advent of social media has created an environmental impact which would otherwise never have existed," said ECU Senior Lecturer in Vertebrate Biology Dr Rob Davis in a press release.

"Social media groups have made it easy for people to identify the location of endangered plant species or the breeding grounds of bird or wildlife species, with the information being disseminated quickly and causing a major influx of people into an area that would otherwise have remained untouched.

People craving exotic pictures disturb animal breeding and feeding patterns. Dr. Davis highlights that using call playback (playing audio clips of bird and animal calls to get better shots), drones, or handling wild animals for photographs leaves a lasting impact.

"The Blue-crowned Laughingthrush is a critically endangered bird species which has shown altered nesting behaviors due to disturbances from photographers," said Bill Bateman, Associate Professor and co-author of the study.

Flower lovers killing orchids

Indirect impacts include the spread of diseases and increased poaching of flora and fauna. Researchers indicated that, for example, orchids, among all flora, were especially popular on social media, with entire groups dedicated to sharing photos of native orchids.

Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Research Scientist in the Kings Park program, Dr Belinda Davis, noted that of all flora, orchids were particularly popular content for social media posts, and even had social media groups dedicated to posting photos of native orchids.

Scientists warn that orchids are highly susceptible to trampling and habitat change, so increased tourism threatens their ecosystems. Social media groups of “flower lovers” can have up to 10,000 members. They rapidly spread information about flowering locations, and increasing foot traffic to key sites should be considered an emerging threat.

"Orchids can have highly specific interactions with a single species of pollinator and fungus. Over-visitation not only has a direct impact on orchids from trampling but can indirectly impact the integrity of their ecological interactions, leaving orchids vulnerable to population collapse," noted Dr. Davis.

Researchers indicate that the same dangers apply underwater. Flash photography and disturbances from divers can negatively affect marine life, such as whale sharks and other sensitive aquatic organisms.

Social media may help with conservation

However, it’s not all bad news. While social media users encroaching on natural habitats poses significant downsides, photography can serve as a powerful conservation tool. It can foster environmental activism, strengthen connections to nature, and create opportunities for stewardship and education.

The wide reach of social media also allows content to be leveraged by scientists and land management practitioners for conservation efforts. Scientists remind us that social media users have also directly contributed to identifying several new plant species.

However, the group calls for a clear code of ethics for all nature and social media enthusiasts to protect the environments they explore.

"We propose a framework that considers species most at risk from social media activities, especially those that are rare, sessile, and have restricted ranges," said Dr Davis.

"The growing use and omnipresent nature of social media means that it is impossible to control or restrict access to species or nature hotspots that are the target of social media content,” said Dr. Davis.

“Consequently, the best hope relies on a mix of on-ground management or access restrictions at key public sites, buy-in from a variety of stakeholders, and an increase in education promoting appropriate behavior in natural areas,” he adds.

Many nature groups and societies already have well-established codes of ethics for responsible conduct in activities like birdwatching, bird photography, and orchid photography.

Scientists highlight that even though such codes of conduct are a good starting point, they aren't enforceable and depend on individuals acting responsibly or on peer pressure to address inappropriate behavior.