Monitoring visitor impacts in coastal parks: a review of techniques
Document Type
Conference Paper
Journal/Book Title
Proceedings of the George Wright Society/ National Park Service Joint Conference April14-‐‐18, 2003
Publication Date
1-1-2004
First Page
228
Last Page
223
Abstract
Coastal areas, particularly sandy coasts and barrier islands, are prime destinations for outdoor recreation activities, yet the same zones possess diverse, dynamic, and, often, sensitive ecosystems (Beatley et al. 2002). There are 295 barrier islands, totaling 2,700 miles of barrier length in the 18 eastern U.S. states alone (Leatherman 1988). Visitor use and impacts are an important and growing concern in national parks located in these sensitive zones. Activities such as the use of off-road vehicles (ORVs), walking on the beach or dunes, and feeding wildlife can trample vegetation, accelerate soil erosion, reduce sand dune height, and change wildlife behavior.
Recommended Citation
Ingle, C., Y. Leung, C. Monz and H. Bauman. (2004). Monitoring visitor impacts in coastal parks: a review of techniques. In: D. Harmon, B. Kilgore and G. Vietzke, (eds) Protecting our diverse heritage: The role of parks, protected areas and cultural sites. Proceedings of the George Wright Society/ National Park Service Joint Conference April 14-‐‐18, 2003. p. 228-‐‐233.
