A review and synthesis of recreation ecology research findings on visitor impacts to wilderness and protected natural areas

Journal of Forestry
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

The 50th anniversary of the US Wilderness Act of 1964 presents a worthy opportunity to review our collective knowledge on how recreation visitation affects wilderness and protected natural area resources. Studies of recreation impacts, examined within the recreation ecology field of study, have spanned 80 years and generated more than 1,200 citations. This article examines the recreation ecology literature most relevant to wilderness and backcountry, with a focus on visitor impacts to vegetation, soil, wildlife, and water resources. We also review relationships with influential factors, such as the amount of use, visitor behavior, and vegetation type. An understanding of these impacts and their relationships with influential factors is necessary for land managers seeking to identify acceptable limits of impact or selecting management actions that will effectively avoid or minimize resource impacts.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title A review and synthesis of recreation ecology research findings on visitor impacts to wilderness and protected natural areas
Series title Journal of Forestry
DOI 10.5849/jof.15-498
Volume 114
Issue 3
Year Published 2016
Language English
Publisher Society of American Foresters
Publisher location Washington, D.C.
Contributing office(s) Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
First page 352
Last page 362
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details