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Michaela Wandrisco
Recreation ecology is defined as the scientific study of how the environment is impacted
by visitors participating in recreational activities (Monz, Pickering, Hadwen, 2013). The results
from studies of recreation ecology can form the basis of management strategies for natural
protected areas across the world. Camping and other recreational activities can impact a lot of
natural resources including: vegetation, loss of organic litter and exposure, compaction, erosion
of soil, damage and loss of shrubs and trees, pollution of water resources, and disturbance to
wildlife (Cole, 1987). It is very important for managers to study recreation behavior within their
natural area in order to prevent and manage impact. The purpose of this literature review is to
analyze management strategies, campsite design, and visitor dynamics in areas of high impact.
Balancing environmental and social objectives can be difficult at high use/high impact
recreation sites. Management actions as a result of recreational use always need to take into
account natural resource protection. The study, by Daniels and Marion, examines consumers
Appalachian Trail camping area in Annapolis Rocks, Maryland. Out of many camping areas
along the trail, Annapolis Rocks is considered to be one of the most impacted vegetation, soil,
and tree-wise. There were also a lot of problems with overcrowding and camping related
conflicts. The study enacted new campsite policies that included prohibiting campfires and
moving camping from old campsites to newly constructed campsites (Daniels, Marion, 2006).
The sample consisted of an average of nine campers at Annapolis Rocks on weekdays and 24 on
average weekends during the summer and fall. More than 100 campers have been observed at
Annapolis Rocks on peak use weekends. Data revealed that visitors were more satisfied with the
campsites after the changes had been enacted, which shows that well-planned and well- though
out management strategies can be very successful (Daniels, et al., 2006). Management strategies
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for recreation ecology are always situational and will be specific to the location being managed.
This studys results suggest that areas of high use and high impact require significant site
Backcountry and wilderness recreation rely heavily on camping, which creates areas of
high impact. The quality of consumers recreation could be affected by the design and condition
of the campsites. This study, by Eagleston and Marion, evaluated the conditions and resources at
81 campsites in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Physical, vegetative, and soil
indicators were measured to identify long-term trends over 32 years of continuous campsite use.
The study revealed significant changes in and around the campsites. There was substantial
change in area of vegetation cover, exposed soil, and soil erosion on campsites. Average
campsite size remained fairly constant. A loss of tree cover was also observed as a result of
visitors chopping down trees for firewood (Eagleston, et al. 2017). Long term camping impacts
are occurring and could be maintained through sustainable management. It is crucial to consider
recreation ecology in all resource planning and management strategies. Without a natural area to
recreate within, many outdoor recreational activities are not possible. Therefore, it is essential to
preserve and maintain outdoor areas. With the increase in participation of outdoor recreational
activities, comes and increase in overall impact. The heavier the impact, the more management
Participation in recreation is increasing worldwide. More and more people are getting
outside to visit natural protected areas than ever before. This increase in visitation is directly
described as curvilinear, meaning that impact increases at a curved, linear rate as use increases
(Monz, et al., 2013). While this model can be useful, it does not always accurately represent all
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data. When the environment is impacted, the vegetation especially is affected. Heavy use leads to
the trampling of vegetation and ultimately to the destruction of vegetation within an area. This
article examines the relationship between use and impact on vegetation. Studies have found that
even with a very small increase in use, the area shows significant impact. This stays true for
areas that were previously undisturbed, as well as areas of low use. In contrast, small increases in
use of high-use areas showed little, or no, change in impact. This relationship proves the
curvilinear model (Monz, et al., 2013). In response to these results, managers have used a
strategy called confinement to confine visitors to designated areas. This management action is an
attempt to control and minimize impact. These approaches assume that once a site is extensively
disturbed, impacts will not change considerably despite substantial increases in use. This article
reinforces zoning strategies of management. Once a campsite, trail, or other area has high
evidence of impact, increases in impact will hardly make a change. Therefore, these areas need
Management practices are always being adapted and changed to accommodate changes in
visitor use and demographics. Recreational activities are allowed in parks as long as they do not
impair or degrade a natural areas resources, values, or purposes ((Marion, et al. 2002).
recreational activity to a certain extent. Policies direct managers to `ensure that any adverse
impacts are the minimum necessary, unavoidable, cannot be further mitigated, and do not
constitute impairment or derogation of park resources and values' (NPS, 2001). According to the
article, Management practices that concentrate visitor activities: camping impact management
between recreational activities and resource protection. The study conducted in this article
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management actions that seek to reduce the area of resource disturbance by spatially
concentrating camping activities (Marion, et al. 2002). The study was executed in Isle Royale
National Park, which consists of multiple, remote islands located in Lake Superior, near
Michigans border with Canada. The main objective of the study was to analyze all 36 of the
parks designated camping areas. At each area, impact indicators were evaluated. Results showed
very little evidence of camping outside the designated areas. Size of campstie strongly influenced
the conditions of resources in and around the campsites. Larger campsites had more significant
impact. Also, sites with picnic tables showed less evidence of impact (Marion, et al. 2002). The
results of this study show how management strategies can affect visitor behavior to minimize
impact. For example, placing picnic tables in campsites gives visitors a designated area in which
programs and innovations. This study, conducted by Cole, Foti, and Brown, focuses on research
from three different studies executed over a 20-year period to assess trends in the number and
condition of campsites in the backcountry of Grand Canyon National Park. The Grand Canyon is
one of the worlds most popular and sought after natural attractions because of its magnificence
and beauty. Some visitors observe the canyon from up above from around the rim, while many
choose to journey down into the heart of the canyon using established trails and campsites (Cole,
et al. 2008). According to the National Park Service annual visitation report, Grand Canyon
National Park receives over six million visitors each year (NPS Stats, 2017). This high number
of visitors causes significant impact to the natural integrity of the park. This study started in 1984
where the conditions of 12 high use campsites and 12 low use campsites were evaluated. The
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sites were again monitored between 1985 and 1992, and again between 2003 and 2004. Over the
20-year period, the campsites did not significantly change. The high use campsites displayed
more evidence of impact than those of low use. In contrast, the number of campsites more than
doubled throughout the studies. The new campsites were found in area where only camping in
designated campsites was allowed (Cole, et al. 2008). Campsite-management strategies adopted
at Grand Canyon National Park have only been partially successful. In regards to these results,
managers must either accept the impact of larger sites or lower the group size limits. Some site
expansion might be avoided by incorporating campsite design and maintenance techniques that
Understanding recreation ecology is important for all managers of outdoor areas. Without
careful observation, research, and management, natural resources can easily be depleted and
destroyed. Since participation in outdoor recreation is steadily on the rise, potential impact in
natural areas is also on the rise. This literature review analyzed management strategies, campsite
design, and visitor dynamics within areas of high impact. Through well practiced management
policies, the outdoor world can remain a place to admire, recreate within, and enjoy.
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References
Future Directions, July 2326, 1985, Fort Collins, CO (Lucas, R. C., comp.), pp.
135177. General Technical Report INT-220. Ogden, UT: USDA Forest Service,
Cole, D. N., Foti, P., & Brown, M. (2008). Twenty Years of Change on Campsites in the
970. doi:10.1007/s00267-008-9087-5
Daniels, M. L., & Marion, J. L. (2006). Visitor Evaluations of Management Actions at a Highly
1019. doi:10.1007/s00267-004-0368-3
Eagleston, H., & Marion, J. L. (2017). Sustainable campsite management in protected areas: A
study of long-term ecological changes on campsites in the boundary waters canoe area
doi:10.1016/j.jnc.2017.03.004
Monz, C. A., Pickering, C. M., & Hadwen, W. L. (2013). Recent advances in recreation ecology
and the implications of different relationships between recreation use and ecological
Marion, J. L., & Farrell, T. A. (2002). Management practices that concentrate visitor activities:
National Park Service. (2001). National Park Service Management Polices. Washington, DC:
NPS Stats: Visitor Use Statistics: Grand Canyon NP. (n.d.). Retrieved September, 2017, from
https://irma.nps.gov/Stats/SSRSReports/Park%20Specific%20Reports/GRCA%20YTD%
20Report?Park=GRCA