Project Number: WVA00091
CRIS Number: 0188006
Using events to help define sustainable places: An ecological approach to forest recreation management and planning
Investigators: Pierskalla, C. D.
Performing Department: Forestry -- 1240
Start Date: 01/01/2001
Termination Date: 09/30/2005
Reporting period: 01/01/2001 to 12/31/2001
Progress Report:
During the first year of study, permission was granted to conduct a study of Monongahela National Forest visitors. The study will help support and enhance decision-making during forest planning processes. One graduate student was assigned to assist with the project. After completing the literature review, a conceptual framework was developed and will be used to help inventory existing recreation opportunities and identify desired conditions of the Monongahela National Forest. The framework was published in the proceedings for the 12th Biennial Coastal Zone Conference. Data from a similar study also were analyzed and the results were used to direct the development of a survey instrument. The preliminary study findings suggest that spatial zoning (raster data) was an effective control for highly localized activities such as camping, but it failed to include visitors engaged in hiking events that take place across spatial boundaries (vector data). Based on these findings, a questionnaire instrument was developed to gather both raster and vector data. The instrument was pre-tested. Current work is directed toward modifying the study methodology and instrument for use in the Monongahela National Forest. Other accomplishments include the development of a cooperative agreement with the Great Lakes Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (GLNF CESU). West Virginia University is one of 22 university and agency partners that will provide research, technical assistance and education that involves the biological, physical, social, and cultural sciences needed to address resource issues and interdisciplinary problem-solving at multiple scales and in an ecosystem context.
Publications:
Pierskalla,C.D. and Anderson,D.H. 2001. Going Beyond the X's and O's of landscape zoning: Using vectors as management units. Proceedings of the 12th Biennial Coastal Zone Conference. Cleveland, OH. July 15-19. NOAA/CSC/20120-CD. CD-ROM.
Impact:
By collecting both raster and vector data to help identify the type and level of visitor use that can be accommodated while sustaining the desired resource and social conditions of the recreational area, it is expected that this study will be more inclusive of various recreational activities, sensitive to a wider range of social crowding probabilities, and helpful to managers as they choose among site specific and regional management actions.