Heterogeneity of recreationists in a park and protected area

Authors

Olivia A. DaRugna, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Mark A. Kaemingk, University of North DakotaFollow
Christopher J. Chizinski, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Kevin L. Pope, USGS & University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

ORCID IDs

Mark A. Kaemingk https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9588-4563

Kevin L. Pope https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1876-1687

Date of this Version

2022

Citation

DaRugna OA, Kaemingk MA, Chizinski CJ, Pope KL (2022) Heterogeneity of recreationists in a park and protected area. PLoS ONE 17(5): e0268303.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. pone.0268303

Comments

The work is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication.

Abstract

Limited information and resources have caused many parks and protected areas (PPAs) to functionally manage recreationists as a single homogeneous group, despite potential negative social and ecological consequences. We aimed to evaluate the homogeneity of recreationists at the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) by 1) quantifying frequencies of consumptive (i.e., hunting), intermediate-consumptive (i.e., fishing), and non-consumptive recreational-activity groups (e.g., wildlife viewing), and 2) evaluating sociodemographic differences among these groups. We used onsite surveys to determine that Valentine NWR supports heterogeneous groups of recreationists. The intermediate-consumptive group was most frequent (77% of all parties). All three recreational-activity groups varied in party size, distance traveled, household income, population type (urban or rural residence), and vehicle type (two-wheel or four-wheel drive). Tracking and accounting for diverse recreationists will equip managers with the ability to sustain recreational activities while also preserving ecological systems.