Management Of Natural Areas Research Articles

The end of the idyll? Post-crisis conservation and amenity migration in natural protected areas

The 2008 economic crisis and the introduction of austerity policies and values after the crisis are transforming the management of natural protected areas in the global North. Communities of amenity migrants living in these areas have been impacted by such issues as budgetary cuts and state disinvestments in conservation. Important threats to their expectations of an alternative life in a natural idyll are changing the attitudes of amenity migrants towards conservation and rural regions. In this paper, I analyse the main changes in their livelihood and lifestyles in two different natural parks in Spain. The main goal of this analysis is to stimulate a debate about the social impacts of new conservation strategies in the post-crisis context, with particular attention to multi-functional, post-productive rural spaces such as amenity destinations.

Assessing the Spatial Distribution of Rainfall and the Effect of Altitude in Iran (Hamadan Province)

Atmospheric phenomena have an enormous influence on natural resources and human life. Lack of sufficient information and knowledge in regard to the management of natural areas and ecosystems will bring about a huge cost. Hamadan province according to the topography, geomorphology, and soil condition is known as a particular area. In this region, intense rains have brought about hillsides, runoffs, and floods annually destroying a large amount of foundations and eroding fertile soils. This study was conducted using rainfall average data from 35 synoptic stations and rain measurements between the years 1982 and 2012 (30 years). Geostatistical techniques are applied for zoning, such as kriging, co-kriging, inverse distance weighting (IDW), radial basis function, global polynomial interpolation, and local polynomial interpolation. For comparing and evaluating geostatistical methods, cross-validation and statistical parameters such as correlation coefficient and mean absolute relative error (MARE) were used. According to the results, it can be realized that simple co-kriging (exponential) technique with the highest correlation coefficient (.75) and the lowest MARE (.124) is the most appropriate geostatistical method to predict rainfall distribution. Also, it is realized that there is a correct correlation between the accuracy of co-kriging technique and elevation changes. However, IDW with power 5 is the least accurate technique.

Cultural Ecosystem Services in Protected Areas: Understanding Bundles, Trade‐Offs, and Synergies

AbstractThe concept of ecosystem services (ES) provides a potentially useful tool for decision‐making in natural area management. Provisioning and regulating ES often occur in “bundles” that are cohesive because of coprovisioning or codependence. We asked whether individual preferences for cultural benefits also define service bundles. Data from a large survey of visitor preferences (n = 3,131 respondents) from all 19 South African National Parks indicated five bundles of cultural ecosystem services: (1) “natural history,” (2) “recreation,” (3) “sense of place,” (4) “safari experiences,” and (5) “outdoor lifestyle.” Trade‐offs and synergies between bundles of services depended on the ecosystem providing them and on alignment between demand for services and the supply of particular service bundles in specific ecosystems. Our results show that identifying demand for multiple services can both help us to understand why people visit and value protected areas, and better inform the management choices that influence service provision.

Pilot Testing of a Sampling Methodology for Assessing Seed Attachment Propensity and Transport Rate in a Soil Matrix Carried on Boot Soles and Bike Tires

Land managers of natural areas are under pressure to balance demands for increased recreation access with protection of the natural resource. Unintended dispersal of seeds by visitors to natural areas has high potential for weedy plant invasions, with initial seed attachment an important step in the dispersal process. Although walking and mountain biking are popular nature-based recreation activities, there are few studies quantifying propensity for seed attachment and transport rate on boot soles and none for bike tires. Attachment and transport rate can potentially be affected by a wide range of factors for which field testing can be time-consuming and expensive. We pilot tested a sampling methodology for measuring seed attachment and transport rate in a soil matrix carried on boot soles and bike tires traversing a known quantity and density of a seed analog (beads) over different distances and soil conditions. We found % attachment rate on boot soles was much lower overall than previously reported, but that boot soles had a higher propensity for seed attachment than bike tires in almost all conditions. We believe our methodology offers a cost-effective option for researchers seeking to manipulate and test effects of different influencing factors on these two dispersal vectors.

Forest regeneration affects dung beetle assemblages (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) in the southern Brazilian Atlantic Forest

The Brazilian Atlantic Forest is one of the most diverse environments, but it is also one of the most threatened areas in terms of loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Assessment of changes in the community structure during the recovery of forests can be performed using indicator organisms. Dung beetles perform several ecological functions and show high sensitivity to natural and anthropogenic environmental changes. This study aimed to investigate the effect of regeneration time of Atlantic Forest sites on structure of Scarabaeinae assemblages. We sampled dung beetles using ten baited pitfall traps per site, in six sites grouped into three classes of forest regeneration time (~30, ~60 and >80 years) in the southern Brazilian Atlantic Forest, during January 2015. A total of 520 individuals belonging to 16 species and nine genera of dung beetles were sampled. Rarefied species richness did not differ between sites with different regeneration times. Average species richness and abundance of Scarabaeinae was smaller in areas of shorter recovery time. True alpha diversity was higher in areas with intermediate recovery whereas Shannon diversity showed higher values in areas of shorter recovery. Approximately 29 % of the variation in abundance data of Scarabaeinae was explained by environmental variables, with one-third of this variation explained also by spatial predictors. External factors such as landscape management and farming practices in the surroundings must be taken into consideration in management plans and the management of natural areas for the recovery of biodiversity in the Atlantic Forest. These external factors can considerably affect the structure of communities and lead to scenarios of greater diversity in intermediate regeneration sites due to the heterogeneity of the landscape.

Rare species and aliens: reconsidering non‐native plants in the management of natural areas

AbstractNatural areas are often managed for the protection of native species and ecosystems. The presence of non‐native species is generally perceived to run counter to these objectives; thus, they are often controlled or tolerated but rarely deliberately favored. We suggest greater emphasis be placed on the role species play in ecological settings regardless of their origin, recognizing that only some non‐native plants are invasive, that the risk of causing ecological harm varies considerably, and that distributions will change as species migrate in response to climate change. We sense a disparity between the way this topic—conservation value of non‐native species—is addressed in the literature and how it is applied in management of natural areas. To encourage more discussion and consideration of appropriate roles for non‐natives in natural areas management, we present five case studies illustrating their value in the conservation of rare and endangered species, including Taylor's checkerspot and island marble butterflies, southwestern willow flycatcher, and the giant kangaroo rat. Our last case study describes a proposed conservation action for the rare Brewer spruce—that of assisted colonization, itself the creation of a non‐native for conservation purposes. Although we support continued avoidance of introducing invasives and a cautious treatment of non‐natives, we encourage those with responsibility for natural areas management to not only evaluate the threats posed by non‐natives, but to also consider their potential benefits in relation to management objectives.

Evaluating environmental education, citizen science, and stewardship through naturalist programs.

Amateur naturalists have played an important role in the study and conservation of nature since the 17th century. Today, naturalist groups make important contributions to bridge the gap between conservation science and practice around the world. We examined data from 2 regional naturalist programs to understand participant motivations, barriers, and perspectives as well as the actions they take to advance science, stewardship, and community engagement. These programs provide certification-based natural history and conservation science training for adults that is followed by volunteer service in citizen science, education, and stewardship. Studies in California and Virginia include quantitative and qualitative evaluation data collected through pre- and postcourse surveys, interviews, and long-term tracking of volunteer hours. Motivations of participants focused on learning about the local environment and plants and animals, connecting with nature, becoming certified, and spending time with people who have similar interests. Over half the participants surveyed were over 50 years old, two-thirds were women, and a majority reported household incomes of over $50,000 (60% in California, 85% in Virginia), and <20% of those surveyed in both states described themselves as nonwhite. Thus, these programs need to improve participation by a wider spectrum of the public. We interviewed younger and underrepresented adults to examine barriers to participation in citizen science. The primary barrier was lack of time due to the need to work and focus on career advancement. Survey data revealed that participants' ecological knowledge, scientific skills, and belief in their ability to address environmental issues increased after training. Documented conservation actions taken by the participants include invasive plant management, habitat restoration, and cleanups of natural areas and streams. Long-term data from Virginia on volunteer hours dedicated to environmental citizen science show an increase from 14% in 2007 to 32% in 2014. In general, participants in the naturalist programs we examined increased their content knowledge about ecosystems, had greater confidence in conserving them, and continued to engage as citizen scientists after completing the program.

An application of recreation resource assessment techniques to inform management action in an urban-proximate natural area

Urban populations in North America are increasing, putting added pressure on urban-proximate natural areas which provide urban residents with a natural location for respite and recreation. The application of traditional recreation management techniques – generally utilized in federally owned, public lands – can provide an understanding of the biophysical and social conditions of a natural area. In order to better measure both current biophysical and social conditions, set a baseline for future monitoring, and inform future management actions, an interdisciplinary approach was taken at the Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter in Park City, Utah. Trail assessments, visitor use estimations and social science visitor surveys were conducted to provide an understanding of recreation use. Results from the study indicate that despite high levels of use, trails on the Swaner Preserve are in a condition that is acceptable to managers; with the exception of a few locations where high levels off-trail use occurs. Visitors to the natural area, although mostly local, were largely unaware of the other interpretative and educations activities provided by the Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter. Results from the study led to various management and stewardship suggestions which were presented to the Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter managers. Managers utilized these science-based suggestions to make various management changes on the Swaner Preserve. Overall, traditional recreation management techniques can provide the baseline information that natural area managers need to begin long-term monitoring efforts in a reasonable amount of time with a relatively small staff. Management implications●The study presents recommendations for the management of urban natural areas characterized by an increasing year-round use and encroaching development.●This comprehensive framework of a social-ecological approach that can be used by managers of smaller, local natural areas to balance dual missions of natural resource protection and managing for recreation use.●The best management results can be expected when applying this social-ecological approach in a comprehensive manner while working closely with natural area managers.●The approach presented in this study is (1) able to meet the specific needs and objectives of natural areas managers, (2) cost effective in terms of time and labor, and (3) can be easily replicated at other urban-proximate natural areas and/or be used for long-term monitoring.

Advancing urban ecosystem governance in New York City: Shifting towards a unified perspective for conservation management

New York City’s extensive municipal park system is home to forests, wetlands, and grasslands that provide important ecological and social benefits to the city’s population. While efforts and programs exist to restore and protect these spaces, management recommendations are complex due to variable conditions in urban natural areas. To advance the management of urban natural areas, the first comprehensive ecological assessment was conducted through a collaborative effort across 4000ha of natural areas within New York City parkland. Field and spatial data were collected and analyzed to identify the extent of forests, the types of forests, and their conditions. This approach will help guide decision-making and prioritization of natural area management at the regional level by developing unique quantitative targets for urban forests. This project serves as an example of collaboration between private and public institutions advancing the governance of urban natural areas to achieve citywide conservation and policy goals.

Interactions between fire and introduced deer herbivory on coastal heath vegetation

AbstractThe coastal heathlands of the Royal National Park are impacted by both fire and herbivory by introduced deer, and to date these two factors have been dealt with independently in the management of natural areas. In recent years, there has been increasing recognition for a more integrated approach to manage these two disturbance agents. Fire and its role in Australian heathlands are well known, while impacts from introduced deer and the combined effects of fire and introduced deer are still poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of fire and Javan rusa deer (Cervus timorensis) on both vegetation cover and floristics. The percentage cover of plants at different height layers and the presence/absence of individual species were recorded at sites representing two different burn histories (1993/1994 and 2000/2001) and deer presence or absence. Fire significantly reduced vegetation cover at low (&lt;50 cm) and intermediate heights (50–100 cm), while deer presence affected grasses and sedges, and low vegetation at more recently burnt sites. Rusa deer also affected composition of the plant species assemblages, but no such effect was found for fire. Understanding the influence of each disturbance factor independently and together in the heathlands will be critical for implementing a more robust framework for future management.

Global strategy for plant conservation: inadequate in situ conservation of threatened flora in Spain

The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) seeks to assess the conservation status of the world vascular plants by 2020, and to guarantee that at least 75% threatened taxa are conserved in situ. A comprehensive evaluation of IUCN categories for 7269 Spanish vascular plants (GSPC Target 2), using distribution data and environmental niche models, is presented. A gap analysis to assess the percentage of threatened plants effectively conserved in situ (considering national parks, plant micro-reserves and recovery or conservation plans) was also conducted (Target 7). The result is that only 44.4% threatened species are subject to an adequate in situ protection. An appropriate management of additional natural protected areas towards the conservation of threatened plants would make Spain meet this threshold, but severe deficiencies should be corrected. The methodology presented here is proposed as a tool to assess the degree of achievement of GSPC targets. This procedure can be quickly implemented and allows an easy evaluation of the progress, as well as the pending tasks in a given period of time.

Vegetation dynamics vary across topographic and fire severity gradients following prescribed burning in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Fire exclusion in the United States over the last century has had major impacts on forest ecosystems and landscapes. Out of a desire to reverse or mitigate the impacts of fire exclusion, some managers conduct prescribed fires meant to mimic the historic ecological role of fire and restore ecosystem properties. In the Southern Appalachians, fire exclusion in pine- and oak-dominated xeric ridge forests has allowed fire-sensitive hardwood species to establish, filling in the canopy and creating shady, moist conditions that are unfavorable for reproduction of fire-dependent pines and oaks. Managers of natural areas use prescribed fire to restore pine and oak dominance, promote pine and oak regeneration, and reduce stand densities. Here, we use multivariate analysis of monitoring data collected before and after 21 fires over 16years in fire-suppressed xeric pine-oak forests in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to assess how community composition and structure change after prescribed fire, to what degree changes after fire persist over time, and how the impacts of prescribed fire vary with fire severity and site environment. Fire consistently reduces stand density and shifts plots towards lower shrub cover and higher herbaceous cover. On the other hand, compositional shifts, i.e. changes in relative abundances of species, were highly variable in both magnitude and direction. Fire severity, measured as total fuel reduction and litter and duff reduction, was important for predicting the magnitude of change after fire. The magnitude of fire effects also varied with elevation, likely reflecting variation in local moisture conditions. Our results indicate that while fires do reduce stand density, they have not yet been successful in consistently restoring pine and oak dominance in the canopy. Restoring pine- and oak-dominance in xeric ridge forests in the Southern Appalachians will thus require extended management focus with flexible, adaptive, long-term planning and continued monitoring and research.

GIS Fuzzy Expert System for the assessment of ecosystems vulnerability to fire in managing Mediterranean natural protected areas

A significant threat to the natural and cultural heritage of Mediterranean natural protected areas (NPAs) is related to uncontrolled fires that can cause potential damages related to the loss or a reduction of ecosystems. The assessment and mapping of the vulnerability to fire can be useful to reduce landscape damages and to establish priority areas where it is necessary to plan measures to reduce the fire vulnerability. To this aim, a methodology based on an interactive computer-based system has been proposed in order to support NPA's management authority for the identification of vulnerable hotspots to fire through the selection of suitable indicators that allow discriminating different levels of sensitivity (e.g. Habitat relevance, Fragmentation, Fire behavior, Ecosystem Services, Vegetation recovery after fire) and stresses (agriculture, tourism, urbanization). In particular, a multi-criteria analysis based on Fuzzy Expert System (FES) integrated in a GIS environment has been developed in order to identify and map potential “hotspots” of fire vulnerability, where fire protection measures can be undertaken in advance. In order to test the effectiveness of this approach, this approach has been applied to the NPA of Torre Guaceto (Apulia Region, southern Italy). The most fire vulnerable areas are the patch of century-old forest characterized by high sensitivity and stress, and the wetlands and century-old olive groves due to their high sensitivity. The GIS fuzzy expert system provides evidence of its potential usefulness for the effective management of natural protected areas and can help conservation managers to plan and intervene in order to mitigate the fire vulnerability in accordance with conservation goals.

Estimating the Abundance and Habitat Selection of Conservation Priority Marsh-Dwelling Passerines with a Double-Observer Approach

Monitoring bird populations is essential for the proper management of natural areas, since birds serve as indicator species to assess the conservation status of ecosystems. Therefore, it is important to estimate population sizes using methods of the highest possible accuracy and reliability. In this study, the populations of three marsh-dwelling passerines were sampled in the Tablas de Daimiel National Park (central Spain) during the breeding season, using a double independent observer technique. Data analysis was performed using a hierarchical Bayesian model with covariates that can simultaneously determine the population size and detectability, as well as factors that significantly affect both parameters. The presence of the two most threatened species, the reed bunting Emberiza schoeniclus witherbyi and the moustached warbler Acrocephalus melanopogon, was significantly and positively related to the coverage of fen sedge Cladium mariscus, an indicator species for waters of high quality and low fluctuation in depth. The bearded parrotbill Panurus biarmicus was the most generalist species with no positive association with any of the studied variables. The moustached warbler was more readily detectable until the beginning of May and early in the morning.

Analysis of the Network of Protected Areas in China Based on a Geographic Perspective: Current Status, Issues and Integration

With the continued growth of protected areas (PAs) in China in terms of the number, coverage and varieties of protected objects, how to efficiently manage the protected areas to ensure both resource protection and environmental protection has become a crucial research question. By applying a geographic perspective in an analysis of the development and evolution of protected areas in China, this paper presents the results of an analysis focused on the status and the types of current approaches to the management of natural protected areas to reveal the problems that exist in their management and to further explore an integration strategy for the protected area network. It proposes that the future management of protected areas should prioritize their legal status, the sustainable livelihood of individuals living in close proximity to them, and the establishment of a unified database to achieve grid and information management of the protected areas.

Modernizing Training Options for Natural Areas Managers

A recent shift in desires among working professionals from traditional learning environments to distance education has emerged due to reductions in travel and training budgets. To accommodate this, the Natural Areas Training Academy replaced traditionally formatted workshops with a hybrid approach. Surveys of participants before and after this change indicate that a traditional in-person format was preferred in the past, but a hybrid format is preferred now. Respondents indicated the new format is more effective at providing highly desired benefits than the traditional face-to-face approach. These findings have implications for many Extension programs targeting working professionals across large geographic areas.

Redes sociales y Áreas Naturales Protegidas en la Zona Metropolitana de Monterrey, Nuevo León

A partir del análisis de las dinámicas de interacción entre actores sociales clave, vinculados a la gestión de las áreas naturales protegidas y a la protección de los servicios ambientales hidrológicos en la Zona Metropolitana de Monterrey (ZMM), Nuevo León, se analizan las acciones que se llevan a cabo para lograr los objetivos de conservación. Se utiliza el análisis de redes para comprender la estructura y densidad de las relaciones sociales establecidas y su influencia en la definición de la gobernanza ambiental actual en la región, lo que permite destacar la existencia de alianzas estratégicas en materia de conservación y al mismo tiempo la falta de comunicación en otros sectores.

Tourists' preferences for congestion, residents' welfare and the ecosystems in a national park

The management of national parks and natural areas often faces a balance between the residents' welfare, the tourist activity and the pressure on ecosystems. This paper assesses the benefits for a set of policies designed to address tourist congestion, the increase in the welfare of the local populations, and the improvements in the ecosystem services (coral reefs, mangroves, dry forests, and coastal and sandy ecosystems). We utilize a discrete choice experiment approach with the consideration of potential heterogeneity. Results show that there are three segments of visitors with different preferences for the proposed policies. Those tourists with higher values for the environmental policies and welfare of the local communities also share a preference for a lower level of congestion at the natural areas. The results have implications for managing natural areas at tourist destinations.

Trophic cascades in an invaded ecosystem: native keystone predators facilitate a dominant invader in an estuarine community

Determining how various factors contribute to the invasibility of systems is essential for both understanding community formation and informing management of natural areas. Research demonstrating that predators can provide biotic resistance to invasions by consuming invasive species has led to the presence of healthy predator populations being associated with reduced invasion potential of ecosystems. However, predators structure communities in many ways and their presence could also potentially facilitate invasions if they decrease populations of native species that compete with or consume an invader. We considered these two impacts of predators on invasion by analyzing the effects of two keystone predators (Pisaster spp. and Enhydra lutris nereis) on two foundation species (a native mussel Mytilus californianus and the invasive exotic bryozoan Watersipora subtorquata, a putative competitor for space with Mytilus californianus). Both native predators were found to facilitate the invasion of the exotic bryozoan, and the rate of invasion was highest when both predators were present. Facilitation of W. subtorquata occurred via indirect mechanisms that partly involved the removal of a competitor (mussels) via predation. These results illustrate that although predators can provide biotic resistance to invasion, healthy predator populations do not always confer this advantage and in fact may facilitate invasions. Therefore, implementation of management actions to enhance populations of top predators could also potentially increase the invasibility of some ecosystems.

Examining the relationship between recreation settings and experiences in Oulanka National Park – A spatial approach

The management of recreation areas can presumably affect visitors׳ experiences by altering the settings where experiences are constructed. Thus, several methodological approaches have been used in the past to explore the relationship between recreation setting and experiences. Most of these approaches have ignored spatial aspects of experiences. This study explores a participatory mapping technique, as one form of Public Participation GIS (PPGIS), to examine recreation satisfaction in Oulanka National Park (ONP). The applied mapping technique asked visitors to mark on a paper map where they had the highest and lowest quality experiences in ONP and to explain why. The study shows that positive and negative experiences are spatially clustered and often concentrate in the same locations within the park. In addition, different types of visitors identify similar places that produce high-quality experiences. These positive experiences are dominated by perceptions of scenery, while recreation facilities are often the reasons for dissatisfactory experiences. This study improves the understanding of the spatial nuances of visitor experiences and further encourages developing participatory mapping techniques that can aid recreation management of natural areas. Management implicationsThis study used a spatial approach for exploring recreation experiences in a national park setting. The participatory mapping method was valuable in producing spatially explicit information to help national park managers to facilitate visitors׳ high-quality experiences while avoiding low-quality experiences. The study also provides information for developing indicators for future place-based monitoring of visitor experiences.