filed under: wildlife and environment
A Synthesis of Research Findings, Management Practices, and Research Needs
Humans and wildlife interact in multifaceted ways on public lands with both positive and negative outcomes for each group. When managed well, wildlife-based tourism and other forms of recreation can benefit conservation goals. Public lands planners and managers often must decide how to best manage recreational activities and wildlife habitats that overlap spatially and temporally. We conducted an extensive literature review and categorized recreational activity into five types based on the use of motorized equipment, season, and location (terrestrial vs. aquatic), expanding on findings summarized in prior reviews. Our findings provide a reference for public lands planners and managers who need information about how wildlife species respond to recreational activities and to associated changes in their habitats. We also describe management principles gleaned from the literature and outline priority research and administrative study areas to advance our understanding of recreation-wildlife interactions.
Keywords: Wildlife, outdoor recreation, habitat, public lands, synthesis.
Published December 2020
To sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.
Fort River Birding and Nature Trail
The Fort River Birding and Nature Trail is a universally accessible trail. It was presented with the 2014 Paul Winske Access Award by the Stavros Center for Independent Living.
Designing Sustainable Off-Highway Vehicle Trails
Proper management of off-highway vehicle (OHV) trails is one of the most important tasks for trail managers today.
Hiking, mountain biking and equestrian use in natural areas
A recreation ecology literature review
