ASSESSING AND MANAGING ASSESSING AND MANAGING WILDLAND RECREATIONAL WILDLAND RECREATIONAL

DISTURBANCEDISTURBANCE

Stephen J. DeMaso, Fidel Hernández, and Stephen J. DeMaso, Fidel Hernández, and Leonard A. BrennanLeonard A. Brennan

Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University-Kingsville Texas A&M University-Kingsville

Kingsville, TX 78363, USAKingsville, TX 78363, USA

IntroductionIntroduction► Wildland recreation refers to nonwork outdoor activities that are conducted in natural Wildland recreation refers to nonwork outdoor activities that are conducted in natural

environments.environments.► Not all wildlands are wildernesses.Not all wildlands are wildernesses.► Wildland recreation can occur on federal and state parks, refuges, forests, and grasslands, Wildland recreation can occur on federal and state parks, refuges, forests, and grasslands,

but some occurs on private lands.but some occurs on private lands.► Wildlife-dependent activities have a goal of encountering wildlife for some purpose (e.g., Wildlife-dependent activities have a goal of encountering wildlife for some purpose (e.g.,

harvest, observe, and photograph).harvest, observe, and photograph).

The FutureThe Future

► Most nonwildlife-dependent Most nonwildlife-dependent recreational activities and recreational activities and participation (no. of trips) in many of participation (no. of trips) in many of these activities will increase in the these activities will increase in the future.future.

DisturbanceDisturbance► Disturbance from direct contact with recreationists can be a factor responsible for Disturbance from direct contact with recreationists can be a factor responsible for

declines in wildlife reproduction, survival, and vigor; higher depredation rates; declines in wildlife reproduction, survival, and vigor; higher depredation rates; increased vigilance at the expense of brooding of young and foraging; increased vigilance at the expense of brooding of young and foraging; displacement from habitats that are needed for important life requirements; and displacement from habitats that are needed for important life requirements; and alteration of food habits.alteration of food habits.

► Indirect effects are those that arise through habitat degradation by recreationists.Indirect effects are those that arise through habitat degradation by recreationists.

ManagementManagement

► Land-management agencies operate under multiple mandates.Land-management agencies operate under multiple mandates.

► During assessment and management efforts wildlife scientists should During assessment and management efforts wildlife scientists should remain objective about potential influences and wildlife managers remain objective about potential influences and wildlife managers consider both costs and benefits of providing recreational consider both costs and benefits of providing recreational opportunities.opportunities.

AssessingAssessing Effects of Recreational Effects of Recreational Disturbance on WildlifeDisturbance on Wildlife

► All areas should assess impact potential.All areas should assess impact potential. Most should conduct routine monitoringMost should conduct routine monitoring Some should initiate field studiesSome should initiate field studies

Evaluation of Impact PotentialEvaluation of Impact Potential► An evaluation of impact potential uses existing information to identify wildlife species that may require unusual management An evaluation of impact potential uses existing information to identify wildlife species that may require unusual management

emphasis.emphasis.► Initial step in any evaluation:Initial step in any evaluation:

Compile an inventory of species Compile an inventory of species Gather existing literature and expert opinion Gather existing literature and expert opinion

► Species with special status should be identified first.Species with special status should be identified first.► In large wildlands, the majority of species will probably not be affected.In large wildlands, the majority of species will probably not be affected.► For species with small seasonal ranges or territories, the most vulnerable are those that are highly selective in the habitats they For species with small seasonal ranges or territories, the most vulnerable are those that are highly selective in the habitats they

occupy.occupy.

MonitoringMonitoring► The amount and type of recreational use, including how use is The amount and type of recreational use, including how use is

distributed in space and time, should be monitored.distributed in space and time, should be monitored.

► Techniques for monitoring wildlife populations are diverse and well Techniques for monitoring wildlife populations are diverse and well developed.developed.

Conducting Field StudiesConducting Field Studies

► When potential exists for significant recreational disturbance to wildlife, and When potential exists for significant recreational disturbance to wildlife, and when available information does not provide an adequate scientific basis for when available information does not provide an adequate scientific basis for evaluating the actual effects of this disturbance, field studies should be conducted.evaluating the actual effects of this disturbance, field studies should be conducted.

► Considerations:Considerations: Field Study Type and DesignField Study Type and Design Deciding Which Response and Disturbance Variables to MeasureDeciding Which Response and Disturbance Variables to Measure

Managing Recreational Disturbance Managing Recreational Disturbance of Wildlifeof Wildlife

► Framework for ManagementFramework for Management (1) Identifying problems—situations where monitoring data show that management objectives are (1) Identifying problems—situations where monitoring data show that management objectives are

not being met.not being met. (2) Implementing management solutions to problems based on insight into causal factors.(2) Implementing management solutions to problems based on insight into causal factors. (3) Obtaining feedback from periodic monitoring to assess the effectiveness of management (3) Obtaining feedback from periodic monitoring to assess the effectiveness of management

solutions.solutions.

A Framework for ManagingA Framework for Managing

► A framework for A framework for managing managing recreational impacts recreational impacts on wildlifeon wildlife. .

ManagementManagement Strategies Strategies

► Basic strategies for management: Basic strategies for management: (1) Manipulate visitor characteristics to reduce (1) Manipulate visitor characteristics to reduce

recreational disturbance recreational disturbance (2) Manipulate wildlife to reduce vulnerability to (2) Manipulate wildlife to reduce vulnerability to disturbancedisturbance (3) Manipulate(3) Manipulate

Manipulation of Visitor CharacteristicsManipulation of Visitor CharacteristicsStrategies for managing recreational effects on wildlife

Manage peopleReduce amount of recreational use.Reduce per capita impact of use.

Manipulate type of use.Manipulate visitor behavior.Concentrate recreational use.Manipulate location of use.Manipulate timing of use.

Manage wildlifeReduce vulnerability to disturbance.

Increase habituation to recreational use.Decrease attraction to humans.Increase avoidance behavior.

Manage wildlife habitatReduce vulnerability to disturbance.

Attract wildlife to locations far from users.Screen wildlife from recreationists.

Compensate for disturbance.Create new habitat.Improve habitat quality.

Visitor EducationVisitor Education

► Education is one of the keys to reducing recreational effects on Education is one of the keys to reducing recreational effects on wildlife.wildlife.

► By changing human behavior, education can be an effective means By changing human behavior, education can be an effective means of reducing per capita impact.of reducing per capita impact.

Message ContentMessage Content► Leave No Trace is a partnership between federal land-managing agencies, nonprofit educational organizations, and the Leave No Trace is a partnership between federal land-managing agencies, nonprofit educational organizations, and the

recreation industry, with a mission to develop a nationally recognized minimum-impact education system to educate recreation industry, with a mission to develop a nationally recognized minimum-impact education system to educate federal land managers and the general public through training, publications, videos, and web sites. federal land managers and the general public through training, publications, videos, and web sites.

► Leave-no-trace principles, proposed for visitors using public recreation sitesLeave-no-trace principles, proposed for visitors using public recreation sites

► Plan ahead and prepare.Plan ahead and prepare.► Travel and camp on durable surfaces.Travel and camp on durable surfaces.► Dispose of waste properly.Dispose of waste properly.► Leave what you find.Leave what you find.► Minimize campfire effects.Minimize campfire effects.► Respect wildlife.Respect wildlife.► Be considerate of other visitors.Be considerate of other visitors.

Activity Restrictions and ZoningActivity Restrictions and Zoning

► Restrict or prohibit activities that are particularly disturbing to Restrict or prohibit activities that are particularly disturbing to wildlife populations and/or their habitats.wildlife populations and/or their habitats.

► Zoning is a means of restricting activities while not prohibiting Zoning is a means of restricting activities while not prohibiting them entirely.them entirely.

► Timing can be critical to the overall effect of recreational Timing can be critical to the overall effect of recreational disturbance; therefore, temporal restrictions can be an important disturbance; therefore, temporal restrictions can be an important part of a management scheme.part of a management scheme.

Wildlife-Sensitive Design of Roads,Wildlife-Sensitive Design of Roads,Trails, and FacilitiesTrails, and Facilities

► Wildlife disturbance is affected largely by where and when people Wildlife disturbance is affected largely by where and when people and wildlife come in contact; thus, the design of traffic networks and wildlife come in contact; thus, the design of traffic networks and facilities is important.and facilities is important.

► Location of access points or trailheads, beyond which motorized Location of access points or trailheads, beyond which motorized use is not allowed, can influence the spatial distribution of visitor use is not allowed, can influence the spatial distribution of visitor use.use.

► Campgrounds should be located and designed to minimize Campgrounds should be located and designed to minimize disturbance.disturbance.

► Trails should avoid sensitive locations.Trails should avoid sensitive locations.

SUMMARYSUMMARY► Recreational disturbance can detrimentally affect wildlife.Recreational disturbance can detrimentally affect wildlife.► Recreational activities are expected to increase in the Recreational activities are expected to increase in the

coming decades.coming decades.► Wildland recreation occurs on most lands that are valuable to Wildland recreation occurs on most lands that are valuable to

wildlife.wildlife.► To conserve wildlife and maintain support for wildlife from To conserve wildlife and maintain support for wildlife from

wildland recreationists, management actions that protect wildland recreationists, management actions that protect wildlife and permit recreational activity should be wildlife and permit recreational activity should be encouraged.encouraged.

► Approaches must be based on evaluations of existing data Approaches must be based on evaluations of existing data and, because recreational effects are often context-and, because recreational effects are often context-dependent, new field studies maybe necessary.dependent, new field studies maybe necessary.

► Techniques are available to manage recreational effects.Techniques are available to manage recreational effects.