Applying Social Science to Outdoor Recreation Management

Diane Kuehn

SUNY ESF

Today’s presentation… What is social science? How does social science apply to outdoor

recreation management? Case study: Eastern Lake Ontario Dune

and Wetland Area

What is social science? Science that studies society and the

relationships of individuals within society.

Generally includes: Sociology Psychology Anthropology Political Science

Why is social science different from other types of science?

Non-laboratory settings common Quasi experimental designs common Qualitative methods frequently used

Social science research methodologies Qualitative data collection

Interviews Observations Focus group sessions

Quantitative data collection Surveys Counts (e.g., of users, recreational license

holders, etc…)

How is social science related to outdoor recreation research? Study sociology and psychology in

recreational settings. Research topics can include:

Interactions between recreating individuals

Factors that motivate individuals to recreate

Environmental impacts of individuals on areas used for recreation

How is social science research in recreation implemented? Identify issue (i.e., research question) Identify user groups Assess setting for research Identify most suitable data collection

methods Conduct research Identify how to apply results to setting

Case study: Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Wetland Area (ELODWA)

7 Public Areas:

3 state wildlife management areas

2 state parks

1 state natural area

1 TNC preserve

History of collaboration Early 1980s:

High visitor-caused impacts to dune ecosystem Fragmented ownership

State & county agencies NGOs Private property owners

Funding needed for dune education and protection

Ontario Dune Coalition Informal committee structure

The Coalition’s primary concern… How can environmental

impacts from visitor use be minimized?

Early efforts Identified areas with erosion Identified and implemented visitor

management strategies

Visitor management

Visitor management

Visitor management

Interpretive Program

Signage

Interpretive Program

Guidebook and brochures

Interpretation Program

Dune Steward Program

The Coalition’s next concern… Are our management

strategies working?

Three approaches to evaluation Visitor use study Visitor survey Photomonitoring study

Purposes of Visitor Use Study To assess trends in visitor use. To identify locations where use is

concentrated. To identify factors that influence visitor

use (e.g., weather). To create a strategy for monitoring use in

the future.

Methods

Review existing data

Assess each property open to the public

Based on access points and observed use, designate “Zones”

Indirect Count Method For each zone, collect:

Full counts on randomly selected days Daily spot counts Weather data

An equation was calculated for each zone in each public area. For example:

Visitor Use = a + b1(Day) + b2(Spot Count) + …

Developing a monitoring protocol

Data found to be significant in determining total visitor use: Day of the week (weekend, weekday) Daily spot count

Results

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

140000

160000

180000

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Total

Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Area

Est

imat

ed n

um

ber

of

visi

tors

Results

0

10000

2000030000

4000050000

6000070000

8000090000

100000

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Sandy PondBlack PondLakeviewSouthwickDeer CreekSandy Island

Public areas within ELODWA

Est

imat

ed n

um

ber

of

visi

tors

Results

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

35000

40000

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Zone 1Zone 2Zone 3Total

Sandy Pond Natural Area

Est

imat

ed n

um

ber

of

visi

tors

Purpose of visitor survey To identify visitor demographics. To identify interpretive media used by

visitors. To identify if the ELODWA’s interpretive

message was being successfully communicated to visitors.

Visitor survey 2-page on-site survey completed in 1997

and 2003/04 1997: 93 visitors surveyed 2003/04: 359 visitors surveyed

Demographic Results 93% of respondents from NY

40% from Jefferson or Oswego Counties Group composition:

Family (44%) Friends (23%) Family & Friends (23%) Alone (10%)

Repeat visitors: 80% Length of stay/visit: 5 hours

Results

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

Type of educational material used

Per

cen

tag

e o

f vi

sito

rs

Sand, Wind & Water

Site brochures

Educational signs

Directory signs

Other

Results

Small interpretive signs 91% (2003/04) had seen the signs. 93% (of the 91% above) indicated that

signs encouraged them to stay out of the dunes.

Approval of signs: 83% yes, 16% neutral, 1% no

Results

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Type of facility

Per

cen

tag

e o

f vi

sito

rs Boat launches

Trails

Observation towers

Campsites

Dune walkovers

Other

Results Is message getting across?

Used open-ended questions

78% (2003/04) and 94% (1997) stated that beach grass anchors sand.

93% (2003/04) and 98% (1997) were able to identify one visitor behavior that causes erosion

Purposes of Photomonitoring To identify changes in vegetative cover on

dunes. To identify changes in dune profile.

Photomonitoring 35 sites throughout ELODWA between 1997 and

2005

5-point scale of changes in dune appearance: 0 = no change 1 = less than 25% vegetation cover change on exposed

sand 2 = 25 to 50% vegetation cover change 3 = over 50% vegetation coverage change 4 = complete vegetation coverage + increased

dune profile

Results Ratings of 2 to 4 in 74% of sites

Rating = 4, Sandy Pond Natural Area

Results Ratings of 2 to 4 in 74% of sites

Rating = 2, Black Pond WMA

Results 9% slight change (rating of 1) 17% had no change (rating of 0)

Rating = 1, Black Pond WMA

Outcomes of study Data collection protocol established Interpretive message is getting across to most

visitors Positive changes in dune vegetation and profile Future management strategies

Refocus of ELODWA staff on remote zones Staffing increased in Lakeview Additional efforts needed at Deer Creek

Similar study proposed for Salmon River

In conclusion… Social science is useful for land use

management because: It’s focused on both the users & the

environment. It can be used to identify management

strategies that take into account users. It can provide balance between the needs

of users and of the environment.

Any questions?