Buffalo National River
Temporal and spatial distributions of visitor use and associated impacts on natural and social conditions at Buffalo National River
Objectives:
The overall purpose of this research was to gather baseline information to help support visitor use management (VUM) planning at Buffalo National River. This research is intended to inform and guide NPS managers in providing sustainable and appropriate visitor experiences and visitor uses in the park.
This study has five objectives:
This study has five objectives:
- GPS map all existing trails, roads, access points, camping areas, and other linkages and nodes used by visitors.
- Evaluate the frequency, type, density, and temporal and spatial distributions of visitor use at BUFF within and across seasons.
- Determine the relationships between use patterns and ecological and social conditions in key unit locations (including but not limited to trails, river access points, visitor attractions, and trailheads).
- Design and deliver a survey that captures park wide use patterns that also specifically measures use and preferences for use in the Boxley and Lost Valley area. Additionally, the survey compliment and strengthen the work done on the trails as outlined in 1, 2 and 3 above.
- Design a sampling and monitoring protocol for future implementation to evaluate efficacy of management actions and general changes in use and conditions overtime. Also, this study provides subject matter expertise within the fields of outdoor recreation and recreation ecology.
Collaborators:
- Kansas State University
- University of Utah
- U.S. National Park Service
Additional Resources:
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