Accounting for consumption related to outdoor recreation: An application of ecological footprint analysis

Abstract

As participation in outdoor recreation increases, so does the potential for impacts on the natural environmental. Environmental degradation may occur as individuals come into contact with nature during participation and/or through the consumption of goods that support outdoor recreation. This paper explores consumption related impacts from outdoor recreation by combining ecological footprint analysis with the technique of scenario planning. To illustrate how ecological footprint analysis can be applied to outdoor recreation, four scenarios are constructed in which individuals follow Leave No Trace principles to hike the Highland Backpacking Trail in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario. Measurements of consumable items associated with each scenario are ‘ assessed using component‐based ecological footprint analysis. Results from each scenario are described and contextualized using the average annual ecological footprint of several nations. The paper concludes by reflecting upon the utility of ecological footprint analysis in outdoor recreation, the possibility of exploring other scenarios, and implications for park planning, marketing, and policy making.