National Park Research Articles

Place attachment theory and virtual reality: the case of a rural tourism destination

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore from a place attachment (PA) theory perspective the extent to which and how, a fully immersive virtual reality (VR) experience enhances tourists’ attachment level on-site at a rural destination. Design/methodology/approach This study applied an exploratory mixed method approach. Respondents were tourists visiting the Lake District National Park who were asked to try a VR experience. In Study 1, interviews were conducted to explore new themes and to develop an enhanced PA framework in VR. Study 1 confirmed existing variables from the literature and highlighted new variables (themes) to be included in the new framework on how PA is formed. In Study 2, surveys were conducted, and the proposed framework analyzed using structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). To fully understand how VR had an impact on enhancing PA, the moderating effect of tourists’ pre-existing PA was considered. Findings The findings revealed “Accessibility”, “Memories” and “Increased Place Knowledge” as new themes (variables) and confirmed that these and established variables “Aesthetics” and “Presence” enhance PA, leading to increased loyalty. Significant moderating effects of existing PA were found. Practical implications VR serves as a complementary and substitutional tool for tourism. Tailored VR experiences for diverse tourist needs may enhance destination marketing and competitiveness. For tourists with low PA, destinations should focus on promoting activities and highlights to enhance engagement and the experiential understanding of the destination. For tourists with high PA, VR experiences should focus on providing a comprehensive view of the destination and unveiling new places. In both cases, the VR experience leads to deeper engagement with the destination and an increase in PA. Originality/value Research on the impact of VR on tourists’ PA is limited. To address this gap, this study’s theoretical contribution lies in developing and testing a PA framework within a VR and tourism context. This also includes the validation of new measurement items developed in relation to the new themes.

Is restricting mobile communication a solution to overcrowding? A test from Yala National Park, Sri Lanka

The Yala National Park is the premier protected area in Sri Lanka. Overcrowding has been an issue in Yala for over a decade. Information sharing by mobile communication was thought to result in safari jeeps flocking to favoured sightings, causing overcrowding and reckless driving. We assessed visitor satisfaction and the impact of switching off mobile communication towers providing park coverage, by conducting a questionnaire survey, checking signal strength and assessing vehicle speed. We found that visitor satisfaction was related to sightings of the ‘big three’, elephants, leopards and sloth bears, but not to overcrowding at sightings. Reckless driving impacted visitor satisfaction both negatively and positively. High speed driving was mostly due to trying to exit the park before the park-closure time. Switching off mobile communication towers reduced signal strength and accessibility but did not eliminate it. Reduced mobile coverage lessened overcrowding at sightings but also decreased sightings, resulting in an overall reduction of visitor satisfaction. We conclude that reducing or eliminating mobile communication is not a viable solution to overcrowding.

Penilaian Potensi Wisata Alam di Taman Nasional Kerinci Seblat Wilayah IV Sangir

National park areas in Indonesia have biodiversity which can be a special attraction for tourists. The aim of this research is to determine the attractiveness, access to tourist attraction locations, and classification of the feasibility of potential natural tourist attractions in South Solok Regency. The research method uses the Analysis Guidelines for Assessment of Operational Areas-Objects and Natural Tourism Attractions. There are six natural tourism potentials, namely, Ulu Tulisi Waterfall, Andalas Waterfall, Pincuran Tujuh, Bukit Bontak Lake, Mount Kerinci Climbing Route via South Solok, and Sungai Dalam Lake Bukit Bontak Waterfall and the Mount Kerinci Climbing Route via South Solok have high scores. highest in the attraction aspect and accessibility aspect. Based on the assessment of both aspects, Bukit Bontak Lake and the Mount Kerinci Climbing Route via South Solok are the main priorities because they received the very worthy category. The results of this analysis can determine the direction of development of natural tourist attractions in the Sangir Region IV National Park Management Section.

Polyphasic Approach and Potential Cyanotoxin Production by Planktothrix from the Río Grande de Comitán and Montebello Lakes National Park, Southern Mexico

The development of anthropic activities during recent years has led to an increase in nutrient fluxes in the Río Grande de Comitán and Montebello Lakes National Park, Mexico. In turn, this has modified the dynamics of the biotic community, specifically favoring the presence of cyanobacteria tolerant to contamination. The continual and massive presence of Planktothrix species (spp.) in the system suggests a potential detrimental impact for economic issues and human health. In this study, we identify the morphological and molecular characteristics of Planktothrix populations from seven tropical (1,380–1,740 masl, 23.0–25.5°C) and calcareous lakes and two ponds from a water treatment plant. We also assess the ecological drivers that could be related to the presence of cyanotoxins in the system. The ecological preferences, morphology, 16S rRNA structure, and 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer found evidence for three species: P. agardhii distributed in neutral to slightly basic water (pH = 7.7–8.7), and P. spiroides and Planktothrix sp. in alkaline waters (pH = 9.1). The presence of the mcyE gene and its validation by liquid chromatography confirmed the presence of two microcystin variants (MC-RR and MC-LR) in at least three populations of P. agardhii. These microcystins put the health of the ecosystem and its inhabitants at risk, a condition that should be addressed and resolved with a water management and detoxification strategy in the basin.

Inappropriate Acetazolamide Use for a Hiker Who Developed Acute Kidney Injury.

Prophylactic use of acetazolamide (ACZ) to prevent acute mountain sickness (AMS) is a common practice among high altitude travelers and mountaineers. With its use comes a possible risk of acute kidney injury (AKI). We present a case in which a 56-year-old male hiker in Grand Canyon National Park developed acute exertional rhabdomyolysis and subsequent AKI while taking prophylactic ACZ to prevent AMS. This medication was prescribed despite the hiker encountering only moderate altitude at Grand Canyon with a planned descent within <24 h. The resulting AKI was determined to be the combined result of acute exertional rhabdomyolysis and dehydration/hypovolemia, with the ACZ, a diuretic, as a contributing factor. Medical providers need to recognize the risks/benefits with ACZ use for AMS prophylaxis and avoid prescribing it to individuals whose altitude exposure and activity fall outside the clinical practice guidelines recommended for use.

Participation is not the answer: epistemic violence and authoritarian practices in conservation-forced displacement

ABSTRACT This article provides the first in-depth analysis of the first 13 years of conservation-forced resettlement negotiations in the Limpopo National Park in Mozambique. It documents four strategies used by the state to disable peoples’ voices: delegitimizing their preferences, delimiting negotiations, coercing them into consent and disengaging from participatory policy. It shows how invited spaces of induced participation amplify epistemic violence and entrench authoritarian practices. It argues that, while the normative belief in the value of participation remains largely unquestioned, participation in fact legitimizes displacements. It calls for decolonial approaches to conservation that do not rely on and cause displacement.

Quantitative analysis of the impact of climate variability and human activities on grassland productivity of the Qilian Mountain National Park, China.

To quantitatively analyze the impact of climate variability and human activities on grassland productivity of China's Qilian Mountain National Park, this study used Carnegic-Ames-Stanford Approach model (CASA) and Integrated Vegetation model improved by the Comprehensive and Sequential Classification System (CSCS) to assess the trends of grassland NPP from 2000 to 2015, the residual trend analysis method was used to quantify the impact of human activities and climate change on the grassland based on the NPP changes. The actual grassland NPP accumulation mainly occurred in June, July and August (autumn); the actual NPP showed a fluctuating upward trend with an average increase of 2.2 g C·m-2 a-1, while the potential NPP increase of 1.6 g C·m-2 a-1 and human-induced NPP decreased of 0.5 g C·m-2 a-1. The annual temperature showed a fluctuating upward trend with an average increase of 0.1°C 10a-1, but annual precipitation showed a fluctuating upward trend with an average annual increase of 1.3 mm a-1 from 2000 to 2015. The area and NPP of grassland degradation caused by climate variability was significantly greater than that caused by human activities and mainly distributed in the northwest and central regions, but area and NPP of grassland restored caused by human activities was significantly greater than that caused by climate variability and mainly distributed in the southeast regions. In conclusion, grassland in Qilian Mountain National Park showed a trend of degradation based on distribution area, but showed a trend of restoration based on actual NPP. Climate variability was the main cause of grassland degradation in the northwestern region of study area, and restoration of grassland in the eastern region was the result of the combined effects of human activities and climate variability. Under global climate change, the establishment of Qilian Mountain National Park was of great significance to the grassland's protection and the grasslands ecological restoration that have been affected by humans.

Vulnerability of the Pteridoflora Towards Climate Change in the West Albertine Rift: Case of the Mountain’s Stages of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The present article aims at analysing the floristic composition of Lycophytes and Ferns to test the disturbances on the vegetation structure occurring in the mountains zones of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP), further, to prove/underline the main threat and the vulnerability which actually is impacting the biodiversity in the mountains of the Western Albertine Rift due to climate changes and resulting in habitat loss as well as result of anthropogenic activities. The KBNP is located at the crossroad of the phytogeography regions of the Guinea-Congolese and Afromontane between 650 to 3326 m of altitude. During 10 years, we conducted comparison studies in the habitats (disturbed and undisturbed) encountered on the vegetation that scales between 1250 à 3300 m of altitude in 30 plots, 15 transects on a one kilometre. The results obtained reveal a variation in the flora composition within the three stages. The difference in the height, the diametric distribution (trees and shrubs) as well as the presence of Pteridophytes between undisturbed and disturbed habitats is highly significant within the 10 years’ observations. In stable and mature parcels, Pteridophytes constitute a very rich, diversified and stable population. Permanent threat manifested through the fragility of the habitats and is further translated by a modification of the floristic composition of the canopy, and sometimes trough the taming of the undergrowth in disturbed parcels. The mountainous part of the KBNP might probably constitute a climatic refuge for Pteridophytes in the Albertine Rift considering their diversity. Furthermore, considering these adaptations, the diversity and the specificity of the biotopes occupied, as well as the bioecological services recognized to Lycophytes and Ferns, they are the real markers for bioindicators of the delicatessen towards climate changes observed in the western rift Albertine. However, anthropogenic effects and sometimes, natural hazards resulting in this protected area, may also constitute a source of vulnerability for Pteridophytes

Spatiotemporal Evolution of Land Cover and Landscape Ecological Risk in Wuyishan National Park and Surrounding Areas

Previous studies on national park conservation have focused mainly on their internal areas, and few studies have focused on national parks and their surrounding areas as unified entities. Therefore, the investigation of land cover and landscape ecological risks in national parks and surrounding areas is essential for overall ecosystem protection and regional sustainable development. This study examines the spatiotemporal evolution of land cover and its landscape ecological risk in Wuyishan National Park, China, and its surrounding areas (WNPSA) from 1990 to 2020. The results show that (1) the land cover of WNPSA from 1990 to 2020 predominantly exhibited a consistent decline in forested areas, paralleled by an augmentation in farmland and impervious surface areas. The center of standard deviation ellipse of impervious surfaces has been progressively moving further south in tandem with the expansion of these surfaces, primarily located within the county town of Fujian Province. (2) The Wuyishan National Park (WNP) areas were dominated by low values of landscape index, and the high value areas in the park were mainly located at the provincial boundary area, with a gradual narrowing during 1990–2020, suggesting a decrease in landscape heterogeneity within the park. High value areas in the surrounding areas mainly occurred in areas with clustered impervious surfaces (e.g., the county town), where part of them located in Wuyishan City have spread to the edge area southeast of WNP. (3) From 1990 to 2020, the lowest-risk areas continue to expand. However, as the medium-risk zone of the adjacent region extends into the edge of the national park, the low risk zone within the national park exhibits a trend from continuous to separate with the neighboring low risk zone. This led to an escalating stress effect on the ecological security of both the adjacent regions and the national park’s boundary areas due to land cover changes.

The role of sheltered habitats in biodiversity conservation of species sensitive to drought: a case study using ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) in the Gorongosa National Park

AbstractIn the aftermath of 2019’ tropical cyclones Idai and Kenneth, we assessed ground beetle communities of the Gorongosa National Park (GNP) in Mozambique. The influence of habitat shelters, namely the buffering role of closed microhabitat conditions on Alpha diversity and community trait values during a long period of drought, was evaluated across the main habitat types of the park: miombo forests, mixed forests, transitional forests, and grasslands (open savannas). These habitat types comprised a distance gradient in relation to lake Urema, in the center of GNP. Miombo forests were farther from the lake while grasslands and transitional forests were in the floodplain area. Ground beetle communities were sampled using pitfall traps set up at 25 sites of each habitat type along an environmental gradient of tree canopy cover during the last twenty days of the dry season. Higher species richness of ground beetles was found in closed habitat shelters along the distance gradient to lake Urema. A higher functional diversity was also found along the canopy gradient, with larger sized and wingless species being more abundant in closed habitats than in open areas. This result highlights the crucial role of habitat closedness in the protection of sensitive ground beetles. In particular, the buffer effect of tree canopy and the protection of the understory plants and the litter layer was critical for the survival of hygrophilous species and will be key in conservation strategies to face climate aridification and habitat fragmentation.

Tourism supply and demand in the gateway communities of southeastern Utah (USA)

Although outdoor recreation and tourism drive the economies of many gateway and natural amenity regions (GNARs), community leaders in these areas often lack a clear understanding of how to strategically invest in resources in ways that lead to a balanced portfolio of assets that meets market demands. This research investigates the relationship between the supply of and demand for outdoor recreation and tourism in GNARs across southeastern Utah. We characterize supply assets using four asset classes: economic, environmental, infrastructural, and sociocultural. We quantify the demand for outdoor recreation and tourism using geotagged social media in gateway communities adjacent to national parks and other public lands. Our analysis revealed environmental assets (historic trails, viewpoints, proximity to national parks, and campsites specifically) are highly and significantly correlated with outdoor recreation and tourism demand. The findings can guide local, state, regional, and federal officials in strategically investing in tourism assets that align with market demands. For example, strategic investments across the study area in the development of viewpoints that showcase the region's spectacular red rock and desert landscapes, as well as campsites where visitors can base their explorations, are likely to see significant and positive returns in terms of visitation.

Marine predators segregate interspecifically by space and time in a sheltered coastal bay.

Marine predators are vital to the healthy functioning of coastal ecosystems, but to understand their roles, it is necessary to elucidate their movement ecology, particularly in relation to one another. A decade's worth of acoustic telemetry data (2011-2020) from Algoa Bay, South Africa, was investigated to determine how two mesopredatory species (teleosts: dusky kob Argyrosomus japonicus, n = 11, and leervis Lichia amia, n = 16) and two top predatory species (sharks: ragged-tooth sharks Carcharias taurus, n = 45, and white sharks Carcharodon carcharias, n = 31) used and shared this bay ecosystem. Multi-annual seasonal fidelity to the bay was exhibited by all species, but differences in residency were observed among species. Similarly, species used space in the bay differently-the teleosts moved less and had movements restricted to the central and western inshore regions of the bay. Conversely, the sharks roamed more, but detections were concentrated in the western part of the bay for C. taurus and in the eastern part of the bay for C. carcharias. Social network analysis showed that species segregated in space and time on a fine scale. However, there was some interaction observed between C. taurus, L. amia, and A. japonicus, but to varying degrees. This is likely because of strong habitat preferences exhibited by each species and predator-prey relationships between these predatory guilds. Results highlight that the sheltered marine Algoa Bay is a resource-rich environment, supporting multiple predators with different hunting strategies albeit similar prey preferences. Finally, these species are likely afforded some protection by the current Greater Addo Elephant National Park Marine Protected Area in the bay but are vulnerable to fishing pressure when they leave this ecosystem.

First photographic record of the snow leopard Panthera uncia in Kishtwar High Altitude National Park, Jammu and Kashmir, India

Abstract The snow leopard Panthera uncia is categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. It is the least well-known of the large felids because of its shy and elusive nature and the inaccessible terrain it inhabits across the mountains of Central and South Asia. We report the first photographic record of the snow leopard in Kishtwar High Altitude National Park, India. During our camera-trapping surveys, conducted using a grid-based design, we obtained eight photographs of snow leopards, the first at 3,280 m altitude on 19 September 2022 and subsequent photographs over 3,004–3,878 m altitude. We identified at least four different individuals, establishing the species’ occurrence in Kiyar, Nanth and Renai catchments, with a capture rate of 0.123 ± SE 0.072 captures/100 trap-nights. We also recorded the presence of snow leopard prey species, including the Siberian ibex Capra sibirica, Himalayan musk deer Moschus leucogaster, long-tailed marmot Marmota caudata and pika Ochotona sp., identifying the area as potential snow leopard habitat. Given the location of Kishtwar High Altitude National Park, this record is significant for the overall snow leopard conservation landscape in India. We recommend a comprehensive study across the Kishtwar landscape to assess the occupancy, abundance, demography and movement patterns of the snow leopard and its prey. In addition, interactions between the snow leopard and pastoral communities should be assessed to understand the challenges facing the conservation and management of this important high-altitude region.

First insights into the spatio-temporal ecology of sympatric large carnivores in Niokolo-Koba National Park, Senegal

Abstract Large carnivores play a crucial role in their native ecosystems, but their populations are rapidly declining across the African continent. West Africa is no exception, with large protected areas often forming the last strongholds for these species. Little is known about the population status and ecology of large carnivores in the region, hampering the design and implementation of effective conservation strategies. We conducted a camera-trap survey during the dry season in Niokolo-Koba National Park, the largest terrestrial protected area in Senegal and the second largest in West Africa, to investigate the spatio-temporal ecology of the four large carnivores inhabiting the Park: the spotted hyaena Crocuta crocuta, leopard Panthera pardus, West African lion Panthera leo leo and African wild dog Lycaon pictus. Spotted hyaenas and leopards had the widest spatial distribution and highest probability of site use. Spotted hyaena site use was positively associated with leopard relative abundance index and negatively associated with normalized difference vegetation index, whereas only distance to the nearest road influenced leopard site use. Distance to the Gambian River was the most important covariate positively affecting site use by lions. African wild dog site use was negatively associated with the relative abundance indices of lions and leopards. Lions, spotted hyaenas and leopards showed strong overlap in their activity patterns. By providing new information on the ecology of large carnivores in West Africa, including where they range and which habitats are critical for their survival, our study will facilitate conservation planning. Our findings lay the foundations for future research to conserve these threatened species in West Africa effectively and to guide ranger patrol efforts, which are key for their long-term survival.

The main biogenic elements’ content in Lobaria pulmonaria cephalolichen thalli in different ontogenetic stages in the boreal forests of Karelia (Paanajärvi National Park)

ABSTRACT The analysis of the main biogenic elements in the thalli of the epiphytic cephalolichen Lobaria pulmonaria of different ontogenetic stages was conducted. Thallus for research was collected in the spruce forests of the Paanajärvi National Park, which disturbance age varied from 190 to 270 years from the tree trunks (living and dead) of Populus tremula, Salix caprea, Sorbus aucuparia, Betula spp. Chemical analysis of thalli samples showed that N content increased (r = 0.43, p = 0.0039) and K content decreased (r = −0.42, p = 0.0046) in the ontogenetic stages from virginal 1 to senile. We revealed different elements were accumulated in lichen thalli, depending on the elements’ content in the substrate: C, K, Mn – in the young thalli, Ca, Cu, Zn – in old ones, Fe – in both groups. The results indicated the necessity to consider the ontogenetic stages of lichen thalli when analysing the element content, because the ignoring of this parameter can lead to results that did not reflect reality.

Mapping high probability area for the Bacillus anthracis occurrence in wildlife protected area, South Omo, Ethiopia

Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by a spore-forming gram-positive bacterium, Bacillus anthracis. Increased anthropogenic factors inside wildlife-protected areas may worsen the spillover of the disease at the interface. Consequently, environmental suitability prediction for B. anthracis spore survival to locate a high-risk area is urgent. Here, we identified a potentially suitable habitat and a high-risk area for appropriate control measures. Our result revealed that a relatively largest segment of Omo National Park, about 23.7% (1,218 square kilometers) of the total area; 36.6% (711 square kilometers) of Mago National Park, and 29.4% (489 square kilometers) of Tama wildlife Reserve predicted as a high-risk area for the anthrax occurrence in the current situation. Therefore, the findings of this study provide the priority area to focus on and allocate resources for effective surveillance, prevention, and control of anthrax before it causes devastating effects on wildlife.

Using multiscale lidar to determine variation in canopy structure from African forest elephant trails

AbstractRecently classified as a unique species by the IUCN, African forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) are critically endangered due to severe poaching. With limited knowledge about their ecological role due to the dense tropical forests they inhabit in central Africa, it is unclear how the Afrotropics are influenced by elephants. Although their role as seed dispersers is well known, they may also drive large‐scale processes that determine forest structure through the creation of elephant trails and browsing the understory, allowing larger, carbon‐dense trees to succeed. Multiple scales of lidar were collected by NASA in Lopé National Park, Gabon from 2015 to 2022. Utilizing two airborne lidar datasets in an African forest elephant stronghold, detailed canopy structural information was used in conjunction with elephant trail data to determine how forest structure varies on and off trails. Forest along elephant trails displayed different structural characteristics than forested areas off trails, with lower canopy height, canopy cover, and different vertical distribution of plant density. Less plant area density was found on trails at 1 m in height, while more vegetation was found at 12 m, compared to off trail locations. Trails in forest areas with previous logging history had lower plant area in the top of the canopy. Forest elephants can be considered as “logging light” ecosystem engineers, affecting canopy structure through browsing and movement. Both airborne lidar scales were able to capture elephant impact along trails, with the high‐resolution discrete return lidar performing higher than waveform lidar.

New Records for the Bryophyte Flora of Vietnam, 5

In November 1998, guided by Prof. Trấn Ninh we revisited the Tam Đảo mountain range, extensively researched by him before. Since than it was converted into a National Park, with areas stretching to three provinces, Vĩnh Phúc, Thái Nguyên, and Tuyên Quang. The previous collections indicated that many more novelties can be expected from there. As a result, we collected 38 epiphyllous liverwort species. Among these 6 were new to the flora of Vietnam: Cololejeunea fructu-marginata, C. papillosa, C. spathulifolia, Colura bisvoluta, Lejeunea dipterota and Microlejeunea sechuanensis. One species is new to science: Cololejeunea dinhensis. Furthermore, Cololejeunea rotundilobula proved to be a new synonym of Cololejeunea sigmoidea.

New records of amphibians from Ha Tinh Province, Vietnam

Since the establishment of the Vu Quang National Park in 2002 in Ha Tinh Province, central Vietnam, several surveys on the amphibian fauna have been undertaken in this protected area. In 2009, Nguyen et al. provided a list of 23 amphibian species from Vu Quang National Park. In addition, a new species was described in 2021 from the National Park, namely Vietnamophryne vuquangensis. As a result of our field surveys in 2013 and 2023, a total of 29 species of amphibians was recorded from the Vu Quang National Park. Six of them are recorded for the first time from Ha Tinh Province, comprising three species of Megophryidae, one species of Dicroglossidae, one species of Ranidae and one species of Rhacophoridae. In addition, we provide morphological data and ecological notes on the aforementioned species.

Integrating the Human Dimension in Marine Spatial Planning: Lessons from Karimunjawa National Park, Indonesia

Abstract Integrating the human dimension in Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) has been a primary challenge for MSP practices worldwide. One of the main issues in MSP is meaningful participation. However, there is an empirical gap regarding how participation functions and its relationship to achieving social sustainability goals. This paper aims to answer this question by studying MSP in Karimunjawa National Park, Indonesia. A qualitative descriptive research approach was used for the data collection and analysis. The results highlight that participation in Karimunjawa provides captivating alternatives in terms of participation, specifically in the areas of planning and management. We conclude that participation in management can mitigate the negative effects resulting from the lack of participation in planning, which may be constrained by factors such as knowledge and power gaps, as well as time limitations. The case-study findings also indicate that community responsibility towards the environment is closely related to their authority in regulating the utilisation of resources. Abstract in Bahasa Indonesia: rb.gy/edsvb7