Linking the Wilderness Perception Mapping Concept to the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum

/ This paper examines the application of a wilderness perception mapping (WPM) approach to enhancingthe recreation opportunity spectrum (ROS). WPM provides a greater understanding of the multiple relationships between wilderness environments and wilderness user experience. The results from a case study indicate that different recreation opportunity settings provide experiential conditions of wilderness for different groups. Wilderness perception mapping complements the use of ROS and can be applied to wilderness management.KEY WORDS: Geographical information systems; Recreation opportunity spectrum; Outdoor recreation planning; Wilderness management; Wilderness perception mapping; New Zealand