Performing Department
School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Non Technical Summary
Outdoor Recreation:Outdoor recreation can be defined as recreation experiences that are the result of leisure time choices to participate in activities that are dependent on the natural environment (Moore and Driver 2005). This project will be based on the behavioral approach to recreation using the Recreation Experience Model (Figure 1). Recreationists are motivated to participate in activities (such as hunting, hiking, biking, camping, or wildlife viewing) in preferred settings to realize desired experiences or outcomes (Driver and others 1987). Recreationists have different motivations for conducting their activities including such items as excitement, exploration, developing or testing skills and abilities, adventure, family bonding, solitude, enjoyment of nature, the escape from personal-social pressures, physical fitness, or even subsistence (Manfredo and Driver 1996). Preferred settings are the biophysical, social and managerial environments in which people seek their desired experiences (Driver and Brown 1978). Recreationists will have different preferred social situations (such as ability to have large groups, solitude, family) and different preferences for facilities (developed, primitive) and management (degree of regulation, management presence). Critical attributes of the biophysical setting that recreationists may have preferences about include the vegetation cover (open field, heavily forested, native stands, restoration projects), the fauna (diversity, game management, number of target hunted species seen, size of individual animal bagged) and other factors including physical access to areas (roads and trails) and even the weather. Each of these social and biophysical elements can have perceived negative implications for the recreation experience as well including; crowding, degraded campsites, invasive species clear-cut areas (even if to restore native species), and lots of mosquitoes. While the study of motivations is focused on what initiated the behavior, satisfaction is the evaluation of the outcomes of their experience (Vaske 2008). Satisfaction is also related to the expectations the individual has about achieving their desired outcomes. For example, if a hunting group only goes out for a day during an off time of year they may not expect to have a successful hunt in terms of shooting an animal, however, they may still be satisfied with their experience. Therefore, satisfaction is the difference between what was expected and what actually happened. Additionally, overall outcome satisfaction may be a questionable measure of recreationists' experiences as it is only influenced by major changes in the quality of the experience (Manfredo, Vaske and Decker 1995). More telling is satisfaction with individual components of the experience including aspects of the full model of the recreation experience (Vaske 2008). Satisfaction with different components of the recreation experience may carry more weight than others in terms of continued participation in an activity at a particular setting. Furthermore, within a given activity group there are degrees of specialization (novice, intermediate, expert) who may prefer very different setting attributes and conditions (Bryan 1977). Therefore, to understand the recreationists' satisfaction with their experience it is necessary to understand the recreationist (motivations, specialization, and expectations), their activity and setting preferences, and desired outcomes of participation (Moore & Driver, 2005). Following this body of theory and research I will explore different motivational and specialization recreation groups, activity setting preferences, visitor use and satisfaction, management preferences, and economic impacts in outdoor recreation areas such as State and Municipal Parks and on recreation trails throughout Alabama. Other aspects of the built environment related to outdoor recreation and physical activity and obesity such as public bike lanes, safe routes to schools, sidewalks, and public school recreation facilities will also be investigated.Human dimensions of wildlife:The management of wildlife requires an understanding of wildlife, their habitats, and of humans. Critical to informed wildlife management is an understanding or how people value wildlife, what benefits different stakeholders' desire, the social acceptability of different management actions, and how different stakeholders affect and are affected by management decisions (Decker, Riley and Siemer 2012). Wildlife recreation (i.e. hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, etc.) can be understood using the same recreation theory and frameworks exploring motivations, satisfaction, management preferences, etc. outlined in Section A. Other areas of emphasis in human dimensions of wildlife studies are wildlife impacts, risks, human values regarding wildlife, and wildlife conflicts. Furthermore, how to integrate human dimensions findings directly into wildlife management decisions through Structured Decision Making (SDM) processes is underdeveloped. I have conducted studies on Alabama deer hunters and will continue to analyze and publish on these findings and further integrate the findings into SDM processes with our Alabama Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit.Ecosystem Services:Ecosystem services are the benefits that people obtain from ecosystems. Four categories of services have been described in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005) including provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services. Provisioning services of food, fiber, and fuel directly fulfill to our most basic needs and contribute to all aspects of human well-being. These services are generally provided for in the marketplace and many aspects of provisioning services are well studied, especially in economics. Services such as water filtration, water quality and flow management, and erosion control provided by healthy watersheds are generally not found in markets. As human life, agriculture, and industry are intertwined and dependent on these watershed services, understanding the linkages across social and ecological systems is critical.
Animal Health Component
60%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
40%
Applied
60%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
To design and conduct human dimensions research that will be applied in recreation, wildlife, and ecosystem services management. Human dimensions research explores human needs, values, attitudes, norms, and behaviors related to how we negotiate and manage our relationship (maintenance, use, enhancement, protection) with our natural environment.
Project Methods
Science based knowledge will be delivered through classroom instruction and participatory learning. A new curriculum has been extablished for training in Nature Based recreation as a minor of study. The evaluation of this project will include the number of students to sucessfully complete relevant coursework, graduate students completed, research projects completed, and academic journal publications.