Identifying research needs for improved management of social impacts in wilderness recreation

Cessford, G. R.

Department of Conservation, US Forest Service

2000

Wilderness science in a time of change conference

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This paper summarizes the social impact research and information needs derived from a workshop of over 50 recreation management staff in the New Zealand Department of Conservation. The overall objective was to establish the basis for developing a research plan underpinning social impact management. After scoping the diversity of social impact issues, the workshop identified five main social impact themes that categorized social impacts as being caused by management actions, intergroup encounters and conflicts, intragroup encounters and conflicts, inappropriate uses and behaviors, and off site intrusions. Exploration of these social impact themes yielded numerous research questions, which were grouped under identifying demand characteristics, defining social values, understanding and managing recreation conflict, and evaluating management outcomes. A social impact research framework is proposed based on interactions between specifically defined places, physical and social human effects, and social values.

Keywords: 

Wilderness, outdoor recreation, social impacts, social values, human impacts, conflict, satisfaction, framework, resource management, New Zealand

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Social research

National

Outdoor Recreation

Outdoors

National Parks

Impacts - economic, Impacts - environmental, Impacts- social, Participation

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July 16, 2012

July 16, 2012