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Can trail characteristics influence visitor numbers in natural protected areas? A quantitative approach to trail choice assessment

Author

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  • Svobodova Kamila

    (Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, Sustainable Mineral Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia Campus, QLD, 4072, Australia)

  • Monteiro Luis

    (Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 1176, 16521 Prague 6, Czech Republic)

  • Vojar Jiri

    (Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 1176, 16521 Prague 6, Czech Republic)

  • Gdulova Katerina

    (Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 1176, 16521 Prague 6, Czech Republic)

Abstract

Planning for recreational activities in protected areas involves an understanding of multiple and complex factors. Trails constitute the main recreation facility in protected areas. They are an important and common infrastructure that concentrates visitor movement. Their sustainable planning and management requires an understanding of how the visitors made their selection. The aim of this study was to identify the effect of trail attributes on visitor numbers in the Krkonoše Mountains National Park in the Czech Republic. The methods used in this study present an analytical approach involving geographic information system analysis, field monitoring and data analyses using generalised linear models. The results showed the preferential tendencies among visitors to certain trail attributes. Marginal significance and a rather strong variability in preferences (over 10%) were identified for five trail characteristics: the amount of local attractions; diversity of land cover types; dominant land cover along a trail; soil erosion; and the type of trail surface. In our study, we illustrate an analytical framework for the assessment of trail characteristics that can help guide trail analyses and management efforts. On the other hand, our findings raise new research questions and point to the requirements for further research in order to better understand how environmental attributes influence visitor choice and to use this knowledge for trail planning and management.

Suggested Citation

  • Svobodova Kamila & Monteiro Luis & Vojar Jiri & Gdulova Katerina, 2019. "Can trail characteristics influence visitor numbers in natural protected areas? A quantitative approach to trail choice assessment," Environmental & Socio-economic Studies, Sciendo, vol. 7(2), pages 10-20, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:vrs:enviro:v:7:y:2019:i:2:p:10-20:n:2
    DOI: 10.2478/environ-2019-0008
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Arne Arnberger & Renate Eder, 2011. "The influence of age on recreational trail preferences of urban green-space visitors: a discrete choice experiment with digitally calibrated images," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 54(7), pages 891-908, November.
    2. Kelley, Hugh & van Rensburg, Thomas M. & Jeserich, Nadine, 2016. "Determinants of demand for recreational walking trails in Ireland," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 173-186.
    3. Molnarova, Kristina & Sklenicka, Petr & Stiborek, Jiri & Svobodova, Kamila & Salek, Miroslav & Brabec, Elizabeth, 2012. "Visual preferences for wind turbines: Location, numbers and respondent characteristics," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 269-278.
    4. Andrew Balmford & Jonathan M H Green & Michael Anderson & James Beresford & Charles Huang & Robin Naidoo & Matt Walpole & Andrea Manica, 2015. "Walk on the Wild Side: Estimating the Global Magnitude of Visits to Protected Areas," PLOS Biology, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(2), pages 1-6, February.
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