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Biodivers Conserv (2012) 21:29672986
DOI 10.1007/s10531-012-0350-y
ORIGINAL PAPER
Mariella Marzano Norman Dandy
Received: 23 March 2012 / Accepted: 6 August 2012 / Published online: 23 August 2012 Crown Copyright as represented by the Forest Research, UK 2012
Abstract Forests are popular locations for outdoor recreation and there is considerable evidence highlighting the positive social impacts of these activities. There is also a body of research outlining the range of potentially negative impacts of recreation on wildlife and habitats. This paper provides a summary of current social and natural scientic knowledge on disturbance caused by walking, cycling, mountain biking, horse riding, off-road vehicles use, camping, and some other recreational activities in forests. We identify more than 40 ecological studies of recreational impacts on forests. Greatest attention has been directed towards walking as an activity and the impacts upon birds, soils and ora although long-term ecological studies of wildlife or habitat disturbance are scarce. Impacts include trampling by foot, hoof and tyre, animal behaviour change and the spread of pests and pathogens. Considerably less work has been carried out on the social dimensions of recreational disturbance. In this article the authors draw on behaviour theory in an attempt to identify the key factors inuencing human behaviour in the context of recreational disturbance. Cognitive theories highlight the importance of attitudes and behavioural control, whilst social practice theories emphasise the impact of behavioural routines and contexts. Management actions may be better targeted at promoting alternative behaviours rather than trying to prevent current problem behaviours. We advocate greater engagement with these theories to better integrate social science with ecological studies, and improve understanding and management of interactions between recreation needs and conservation.
Keywords Recreation Forests Wildlife Disturbance Management
Integrated approach
M. Marzano (&)
Forest Research, Centre for Human and Ecological Sciences, Northern Research Station, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9SY, UKe-mail: [email protected]
N. Dandy
Forest Research, Centre for Human and Ecological Sciences, Alice Holt Lodge, Farnham GU10 4LH, UKe-mail: [email protected]
Recreationist behaviour in forests and the disturbance of wildlife
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Introduction
Forests are popular settings for recreation with activities ranging from walking, mountain biking and horse riding to driving off-road vehicles and camping (Sun and Walsh 1998; Heer et al. 2003). While recreating in forests provides signicant...