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The Effects of Local Ecological Knowledge, Minimum-Impact Knowledge, and Prior Experience on Visitor Perceptions of the Ecological Impacts of Backcountry Recreation

Author

Listed:
  • Ashley D’Antonio

    (Utah State University, Environment and Society)

  • Christopher Monz

    (Utah State University, College of Natural Resources)

  • Peter Newman

    (Colorado State University, Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources)

  • Steve Lawson

    (Resource Systems Group, Inc.)

  • Derrick Taff

    (Colorado State University, Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources)

Abstract

An on-site visitor survey instrument was developed to examine visitor perceptions of resource impacts resulting from backcountry hiking activities. The survey was conducted in the Bear Lake Corridor of Rocky Mountain National Park, CO and examined visitor characteristics that may influence visitor perceptions of specific resource conditions. Findings indicate that visitors are more perceptive of recreation-related resource impacts that are the result of undesirable behavior and, while visitors do perceive resource impacts, visitors tend to be more affected by crowding. Factors such as local ecological knowledge and knowledge of minimal-impact practices positively influence visitor perceptions of resource impacts. These findings support the use of visitor education on ecological knowledge and minimum-impact as a means of increasing visitor awareness of recreation impact issues.

Suggested Citation

  • Ashley D’Antonio & Christopher Monz & Peter Newman & Steve Lawson & Derrick Taff, 2012. "The Effects of Local Ecological Knowledge, Minimum-Impact Knowledge, and Prior Experience on Visitor Perceptions of the Ecological Impacts of Backcountry Recreation," Environmental Management, Springer, vol. 50(4), pages 542-554, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:envman:v:50:y:2012:i:4:d:10.1007_s00267-012-9910-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s00267-012-9910-x
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