Visitor management in recreation areas

Abstract

The ever-increasing demands for outdoor recreation have caused widespread ecological damage in many parts of the world, so that methods to contain deleterious impacts and maintain the quality of recreational experience must be earnestly sought. This paper evaluates a spectrum of relevant options including the subtle (influencing user-behaviour), through the intermediate (redistributing use), to the regulatory (rationing use). The reduction of per caput impact can, naturally, raise the capacity of an area to accommodate continuing use. Minimum impact techniques can substantially curtail the largely inadvertent damage due to ignorance rather than malice, while recreational planning and management can take into account the changing user preference. Redistributing use can lessen impacts in over-used or vulnerable areas and reduce user conflicts. Various subtle measures can effect voluntary spread over space and time. As even low-level usage can cause significant ecological changes, the risk of spreading damage should be carefully gauged against management objectives. Rationing use, which erodes the spontaneity of recreational pursuits, should be used only as a last resort. A range of methods are assessed, none being considered ideal. -from Author