Studies

published Feb 2021

Market Research: Equity of Access to Trails

This study has been conducted in response to the imperative offered by the JEDI Task Force.

published Feb 2023

Public Lands and the Continental Divide Trail Study

by Continental Divide Trail Coalition

The primary goal of this study was to understand who uses the Continental Divide Trail (CDT), how they use it, their preferences, and the economic impact of the CDT in the region. Additional data were also collected regarding protecting public lands and using the Continental Divide Trail in Colorado.

published Mar 2008

ORV – Social & Management Issues

Off-road vehicles can have a substantial impact on the experience of other non-motorized visitors on trails that are shared or even on adjacent forest or park settings.

published Dec 2008

The influence of use-related, environmental, and managerial factors on soil loss from recreational trails

This research investigated the influence of several use-related, environmental, and managerial factors on soil loss on recreational trails and roads at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, a unit of the U.S. National Park Service.

published Nov 2008

All-Terrain Vehicle Sustainability Assessments

The sustainable management of ATV use is an expensive proposition requiring careful design, construction, and maintenance of ATV trails.

published Jun 2022

Assessing the Condition and Sustainability of the Trail System at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

by U.S. Geological Survey

This research assessed the condition and sustainability of the trail system at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, a National Park Service unit that partners with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in the management of this unit.

published Dec 2019

The Influence of Layout on Appalachian Trail Soil Loss, Widening, and Muddiness

This research investigates the influence of layout and design on the severity of trail degradation.

published Mar 2016

A Review and Synthesis of Recreation Ecology Research Supporting Carrying Capacity and Visitor Use Management Decisionmaking

This article reviews the most recent and relevant recreation ecology studies that have been applied in wildland settings to avoid or minimize resource impacts.

published Nov 2016

Assessing the Influence of Sustainable Trail Design and Maintenance on Soil Loss

Results from a review of the literature and three scientific studies are presented to model and clarify the influence of factors that substantially influence trail soil loss and that can be manipulated by trail professionals to sustain high traffic while minimizing soil loss over time.

published Mar 2016

A Review and Synthesis of Recreation Ecology Research Findings on Visitor Impacts to Wilderness and Protected Natural Areas

This article examines the recreation ecology literature most relevant to wilderness and backcountry, with a focus on visitor impacts to vegetation, soil, wildlife, and water resources.