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 provide both natural resources for humans and habitat for wildlife. When they interact on public lands, humans and wildlife species can have both positive and negative effects on each other. When managed well, wildlife-based tourism and other forms of recreation can benefit conservation goals. Planners and managers are often faced with difficult decisions regarding how to best manage recreational activities and wildlife habitats that overlap spatially and temporally in the lands they manage. Although the body of literature on wildlife responses to recreational activities is large and growing, existing reviews do not contain the level of detail required to support science-based decision-making.
This report, as the product of a collaborative project by wildlife biologists, recreation social scientists, and public lands managers from across the United States, expands on findings summarized within existing reviews to serve as a reference for planners and managers who need information about how wildlife respond to recreational activity and associated changes in their habitats. The team worked to conceptualize the project, develop the document’s scope and organization, provide critical guidance and insight from the end user’s perspective, and review drafts.
The synthesis and writing were completed by a postdoctoral research fellow with support from the USFS Washington office. Although it is not the focus of this report, we emphasize the importance of framing the management of human-wildlife interactions within a social-ecological system. We present a broad overview of recent research in each of the four quadrants, spanning positive to negative effects that wildlife has on humans and that humans have on wildlife.
Attached document 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.
Environmental Impacts of Winter Recreation
posted Nov 25, 2023
Regardless of our intentions, many species perceive humans as a threat and respond accordingly. In general, animals respond to threats by first increasing vigilance (time spent looking around versus foraging), and running away if the threat is perceived to be imminent.
posted Nov 24, 2023
Winter recreation is a rapidly growing activity, and advances in technology make it possible for increasing numbers of people to access remote backcountry terrain. Increased winter recreation may lead to more frequent conflict between recreationists, as well as greater potential disturbance to wildlife.
Guidelines for Managing and Restoring Natural Plant Communities along Trails and Waterways
posted Sep 18, 2023
These guidelines are designed to assist resource managers in conducting management activities that enhance the quality of natural plant communities, wildlife habitat, regional landscape integrity and visual quality, particularly as related to planning, development, and maintenance of trails, water trails, and water access sites.
posted Jul 1, 2021
Horses have been suggested to be an important source for the introduction of non-native plant species along trails, but the conclusions were based on anecdotal evidence.
416 views • posted 11/25/2023
