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Monitoring inter-group encounters in wilderness
Author(s): Alan E. Watson; Rich Cronn; Neal A. Christensen
Date: 1998
Source: Res. Pap. RMRS-RP-14. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 20 p.
Publication Series: Research Paper (RP)
Station: Rocky Mountain Research Station
PDF: View PDF (487.78 KB)Description
Many managers face the challenge of monitoring rates of visitor encounters in wilderness. This study (1) provides estimates of encounter rates through use of several monitoring methods, (2) determines the relationship between the various measures of encounter rates, and (3) determines the relationship between various indirect predictors of encounter rates and actual encounter rates.Exit surveys, trip diaries, wilderness ranger observations, trained observers, mechanical counters, trailhead count observations, and parking lot vehicle counts were used to develop better understanding of the relationship between these various monitoring methods. The monitoring methods were tested at Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Washington.
Encounter rates differed dramatically from weekdays to weekend days at high-use places studied. Estimates of encounter rates also varied substantially across methods used. Rather than conclude what method is best, this report seeks to help the manager decide which method is most appropriate for use in a particular wilderness, given the issues being addressed. It should also help alleviate some of the problems managers have in prescribing monitoring systems, by forcing more precise definition of indicators.
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Citation
Watson, Alan E.; Cronn, Rich; Christensen, Neal A. 1998. Monitoring inter-group encounters in wilderness. Res. Pap. RMRS-RP-14. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 20 p.Cited
Keywords
recreation, use levels, crowding, use estimation, observation, surveysRelated Search
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