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Published on: December 9, 2012
Recreational system optimization to reduce conflict on public lands
Fraser Shilling1, Jennifer Boggs, Sarah Reed
1Departmenrt of Evironmental Science and Policy, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA. fmshilling@ucdavis.edu
Environmental Management
|July 10, 2012
Summary
Tahoe National Forest prioritized trails for motorized and non-motorized recreation. A GIS model identified routes balancing user needs and environmental impacts to minimize conflict.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Management
- Recreation Ecology
- Spatial Analysis
Background:
- Federal regulations mandated trail-route prioritization in the Tahoe National Forest (TNF) for diverse recreational uses.
- Conflicting preferences between motorized and non-motorized users necessitate strategic planning for shared trail systems.
- Understanding user demographics and recreational patterns is crucial for effective trail management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prioritize trail routes within the TNF for maintenance and management.
- To identify suitable and unsuitable routes for different recreational activities, focusing on minimizing environmental impact and user conflict.
- To develop a data-driven approach for optimizing a multi-purpose recreational trail network.
Main Methods:
- A recreational user survey (n=813) assessed preferences for trail characteristics, use patterns, and demographics.
- A Geographic Information System (GIS)-based modeling approach was employed to analyze recreational opportunities and potential environmental impacts.
- An expert-derived rule set was developed to address specific environmental and recreational concerns within the TNF.
Main Results:
- Motorized and non-motorized user groups exhibited distinct and opposing preferences for trail system characteristics and usage.
- Non-motorized users expressed opposition to motorized use, while motorized users favored multi-use trails or disregarded non-motorized concerns.
- GIS modeling identified specific route segments suitable for minimal-impact networks catering to various recreation types.
Conclusions:
- A GIS-based optimization approach, informed by user data and expert rules, can effectively balance diverse recreational demands and environmental considerations.
- Strategic trail network planning is essential for mitigating user conflicts and minimizing environmental degradation in multi-use recreational areas.
- The study provides a framework for the TNF to develop a sustainable and conflict-reduced recreational travel system.
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