Park Site Research Articles

Comparing Automated and Manual Visitor Monitoring Methods: Integrating Parallel Datasets on Mount Fuji’s North Face

Due to their ease of installation and use, durability, and low cost, the use of passive infrared counters has increased rapidly in protected areas. This study investigated the calibration of one such beam sensor on the 8th station of Mount Fuji (3000 m) using a parallel count system at the 6th station (2390 m) as a manual control. Analysis of secondary data revealed the degree or error between 6th and 8th stations to fluctuate temporally, especially during congestion flashpoints such as Saturday and Friday nights. This suggests that current monitoring methods are underreporting the volumes of climber traffic at peak periods, but a calibration correction coefficient could be calculated by integrating the local and central government datasets. This study thus contributes to the pursuit of reliable, costeffective visitor monitoring methods by demonstrating an opportunistic and holistic combination of two pre-existing, longitudinal data sources. However, additional observational studies are still needed to supplement the findings of the continuous manual clicker data at the 6th with stratified random sampling at the 8th station for optimum integration of parallel monitoring methods. Improving the reliability of climber numbers via the generation of more accurate data is only the first step. Targeted intervention is required that actively utilizes such data to mitigate the current crop of management challenges including impacts on visitor experience (e.g., congestion) and on the natural environment (e.g., toilets, trash, trail conditions). Results provide useful pointers for park planners, site managers and decision-makers such as the Fujisan World Cultural Heritage Council. This study is one of a limited number of empirical case studies that tackle the inaccuracies of mechanical counting devices in a transparent and replicable fashion, using parallel counting systems along a single trail on Mt. Fuji’s north face to contextualize the correction coefficient based on specific site characteristics. Subscribe to JPRA

Introduction: Understanding Our National Story Through Women's History Sites

Former Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places Stephanie Toothman lays out a case for women's history as fundamental to telling the "whole" American story. She explores the role of sites and objects in storytelling and explores National Park Services initiatives and sites associated with women's history.

Charging pile siting recommendations via the fusion of points of interest and vehicle trajectories

By mining of the requirements of lots of electric vehicle users for charging piles, this paper proposes the charging pile siting algorithm via the fusion of Points of Interest and vehicle trajectories. The proposed algorithm computes appropriate charging pile locations by: 1) mining user Points of Interest from social network; 2) mining parking sites of vehicle form GPS trajectories and 3) fusing the Points of Interest and parking sites together then clustering the fusions with our improved DBSCAN algorithm, whose clustering results indicates the final appropriate charging pile locations. Experimental results show that our proposed methods are more efficient than existing methods.

Assessment of Wildfire Risk at Recreational Sites in Sri Lanna National Park, Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand, using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques

Wildfires have had massive impacts on recreational areas in national parks in Thailand that have seen a decline in tourism activities due to fire damage. Therefore, prevention and control of wildfires can minimize fire damage at recreation sites for existence of national parks. This study integrates remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) techniques for modeling and mapping wildfire risks to evaluate the potentials for fires at recreational sites. The factors comprehensively recognized as influencing wildfire occurrence, namely leaf fuel load, slope, aspect, elevation, distance from roads, and proximity to settlements were selected for establishing a wildfire risk model. A differenced normalized burn ratio (dNBR) was used to rate wildfire sensitivity for subclasses of each factor. All factors were then weighted using pairwise comparison, where the leaf fuel load was the most important factor and we show that soil moisture can be used as a new factor for modeling wildfire risk. Our model correctly classified 74.67% of real wildfire instances, confirming that the selected factors could be used for mapping wildfire-prone areas. The mapping showed three different categories of wildfire risk; 22.15% of the study area was predicted to be a high wildfire risk zone, and 42.25% and 35.60% were categorized as moderate and low risk, respectively. A map of wildfire risk zones was overlaid with recreation sites in Sri Lanna national parks, revealing that 6 of 22 recreation sites were at high risk from wildfires. Hence, this study contributes to reducing wildfire threats to recreational areas and can help develop appropriate method for accessing areas prone to wildfires.

Temporal Dynamics of Sediment Sources in an Urbanizing Mediterranean Catchment

AbstractThe identification of sediment sources is important for catchment management, but few studies have been performed in Mediterranean areas. This study uses a multiproxy sediment fingerprinting approach to explore sources and dynamics of fluvial sediments in a rapidly urbanizing Portuguese peri‐urban catchment. X‐ray fluorescence was used to characterize the elemental geochemistry of sediments collected within the stream network after three storm events in 2012 and 2015. A range of statistical techniques, including hierarchical cluster analysis, was used to identify discriminant sediment properties and similarities between fine bed sediment samples of tributaries and downstream sites. Quantification of sediment supply from upstream sub‐catchments was undertaken using established sediment fingerprinting approaches.The geochemistry of the sediments was found to be influenced by both lithology and land‐use changes. In 2012, the sandstone sub‐catchment provided 75% of the <63 μm and 94% of the 63–125 and 125–2000 μm sediment, mostly from an Enterprise Park site undergoing deforestation and construction (covering 5% of the catchment area), with most of the remaining sediment deriving from the construction of a major road (1% of the catchment) in the limestone sub‐catchment. In 2015, planned and accidental retention basins below the Enterprise Park and major road sites, respectively, prevented some sediment from reaching the stream network, thereby reducing their importance as sediment sources. Sediment mobilization in urban areas with paved roads was small in comparison, but characterized by high heavy metal concentrations. The sediment fingerprinting approach adopted shows promise in identification of the main sources of sediments, necessary to underpin improved peri‐urban management strategies. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Bryophytes on Brazilian ironstone outcrops: Diversity, environmental filtering, and conservation implications

Brazilian ironstone outcrops (“Cangas”) are characterized by high soil iron concentrations, high ambient temperatures, strong water restrictions, and occupation by vascular plants showing high levels of rarity and/or endemism. Another group of plants commonly inhabiting Cangas are bryophytes, which have important roles in maintaining soil moisture and nutrient levels, but are only infrequently investigated. Cangas sites are currently threatened by mining, uncontrolled urbanization, and deforestation. We therefore addressed the following questions: 1) What is the beta diversity of bryophyte communities on ironstone outcrops in two different Protection Areas – PAs? 2) Does anthropogenic disturbance drive bryophyte community assembly? 3) What are the influences of microhabitats and substrate availability on bryophyte assemblages? We analyzed the bryophytes in eight Cangas sites in two PAs in Minas Gerais State, Brazil, and characterized their communities in terms of their different microhabitats/substrates, elevation, and disturbance levels. Ninety-six bryophyte species were identified (56 mosses, 40 liverworts), distributed mainly among Tree-Associated microhabitats (68 spp.) and Tree Bark substrates (67 spp.). Bryophytes demonstrate deterministic distributions and the anthropogenic disturbance is an important environmental filter. We also identified differentiation in bryophyte assemblages among the different microhabitats/substrates on ironstone outcrops, especially in Gandarela National Park sites (GA). In Rola-Moça State Park (RM), there was a taxonomic homogenization, probably associated with high levels of anthropogenic disturbance. Compared to other plant communities encountered growing on different types of rocky outcrops, the ironstone outcrops in southeastern Brazil were found to harbor high bryophyte diversity. These findings highlight the importance of conserving diverse Cangas sites, as they accommodate specific bryophyte communities.

Ten years of monitoring air quality and ecological integrity using field-identifiable lichens at Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site in Nova Scotia, Canada

Arboreal lichens have a wide range of tolerance to habitat disturbance. As a result, they have been used globally as bioindicators of environmental change, particularly for monitoring atmospheric pollution. Here, we use lichens to monitor air quality and ecological integrity (EI) at Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site in Nova Scotia, Canada. We provide descriptions of two protocols and compare the results using data gathered in 2006, 2011, and 2016. To monitor air quality, we established 12 monitoring sites throughout the park and used a suite of lichens that are intolerant to air pollution to develop an index of air purity (IAP) that we compared every 5 years. Our protocol for monitoring EI of forest ecosystems was set up at these same 12 sites. We selected 50 regionally common field-identifiable lichen species and genera ranging in sensitivity from disturbance-tolerant to intolerant, and compare their presence in spatially constrained zones on a variety of tree species every 5 years. Our results suggest that air quality in Kejimkujik has increased slightly in the 10 years since monitoring was implemented, which is consistent with improvements in local air quality. Species richness also increased slightly, suggesting that EI has not declined. The maintenance of EI, through protection and restoration of natural resources, is a key priority in the management of national parks in Canada. Our protocols will provide early detection of changes to EI, enabling park managers to take responsive action. We are confident that our protocols can be replicated in other parts of the world with different suites of regionally common lichens.

Reduced productivity of Culex pipiens and Cx. restuans (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes in parking area catch basins in the northeast Chicago metropolitan area.

From June to September, 2016, 100 catch basins in eight parking areas were monitored weekly for the presence of mosquito pupae in the operational area of the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District (NSMAD) located just north of Chicago, IL, U.S.A. Weekly results from these basins were compared to weekly samples taken from residential street catch basins, the most common type of catch basin treated seasonally by the NSMAD with larvicides. Over the 17 study weeks, residential street basins had a mean rate of productivity (pupae per basin-visit) 12 times that of parking area catch basins. The two parking area sites with the highest mean rate of productivity were associated with county forest preserves. Productivity in both street and parking area basins was positively associated with the presence of three or more deciduous trees within 20 m of basins and if they were located directly adjacent to curbs. Alternatively, productivity was negatively associated with the proportion of impervious surface within 10 m of basins and weekly rainfall. Findings suggest that reduced catch basin larvicide applications may be appropriate in many parking area sites.

Protected area management and local access to natural resources: a change analysis of the villages neighboring a world heritage site, the Keoladeo National Park, India

A network of Protected Areas (PAs) has been the main strategy adopted in India for conservation of biodiversity and wildlife. Thus, more than 600 PAs are established; however, pressures from the human settlements in the proximity have been a serious concern for their management. To appreciate the interplay of governance of PAs and human settlements around them, we selected Keoladeo National Park (KNP), a Ramsar and world heritage site in India, as a model. We compared the socio-economic state of the inhabitants in the 13 villages and their dependency on KNP for resources two decades ago with that of the present. Information on socio-economic indicators was collected from the villagers using a customized questionnaire. Data was also collected from concerned government departments. Significant changes in human population, literacy, households, fuel use, water level, agriculture, occupations and irrigation techniques were seen. Much of the traditional agricultural fields are now open for other uses. The changes reflect reconciliation by the neighborhood community with the governance strategy and a shift in their resource utilization. The major local driver for the changes was an abrupt change in conservation praxis in the KNP.

Coal Bottom Ash Application on Park Site Soil and Its Impacts on Turfgrass Growth and Soil Quality

Coal Bottom Ash Application on Park Site Soil and Its Impacts on Turfgrass Growth and Soil Quality

The Factors Effect the Venue Selection and Joining to Physical Activity of the Users Visit ‘Özgürlük Park and Recreation’ area for Physical Activity

The aim of this study is to examine the influencing factors of people to choose the place and participate in physical activities for parks and recreational sites. The participants of this study are the people who live in Istanbul, Kadikoy, 15 years or older people and regular users of Ozgurluk Park and Recreational field. 232 people volunteered for this study. When we look at the data, we have gathered from these people we decided some participant’s answers are invalid thus we decided to study on 200 valid answers we have. 50,5% percent of the participants are male, 49,5% percent of participants are female. As data gathering tool we used FAMDO which adopted to Turkey, and its correspondence and trustworthiness are proven. FAMDO consists 33 questions and two subcategories (choosing physical activity place and factors which prevent people from participating physical activities). It is five scale Likert-type questionnaire. It evaluates the reason of participants picking a park and recreational site for physical activity and the reasons that prevent people from participating physical activities. For data analysis, we used descriptive statistics and single variable variance analysis (ANOVA) and Independent Samples T-Test. The data we have obtained from the field (Ozgurluk Park and Recreation site) showed us, as place choosing Scale points is statistically significant(p>0,05) gender wise. At the end of the study, we found the factors that influence people choosing parks and recreational places for physical activity. We also found the reasons that prevent people from participating physical activities and came up with solutions that minimize the reasons. We shared our finding with local administrators.

Parmotrema perforatum new to Canada from Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site in Nova Scotia, Canada

Parmotrema perforatum new to Canada from Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site in Nova Scotia, Canada

Characteristics of PAHs in street dust of Beijing and the annual wash-off load using an improved load calculation method.

A significant amount of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) adsorbed in street dust ends up in runoff. Accordingly, evaluating the content, possible wash-off load and constituent risks associated with street dust is critical for urban runoff usage. Based on the PAH concentrations examined in this study, different risk assessment methods were applied and the differences among results were analyzed. An improved PAH wash-off calculation method was established and the annual PAH wash-off load was obtained. In addition, emission sources were diagnosed based on isomer ratios and PMF methods. The overall mean ΣPAHs (sum of 16 individual PAHs) concentration in the street dust was 3.70μg/g, with the highest mean concentrations found for main roads (5.18μg/g). Adjacent anthropogenic activities had a greater effect on pollution characteristics of street dust than land use types. The toxic risk order was park (0.64μg/g)>main road (0.57μg/g)>residence (0.32μg/g)>street (0.29μg/g)>commerce (0.23μg/g), while that of the ecological risk index was main road (1278)>street (920)>residence (904)>commerce (713)>park (195). Although the park sites had a high level of toxic risk, they showed low ecological risk because they had less dust mass per unit area, indicating a great difference in the risk evaluation results and the difference methods. Using different values for different magnitudes of the antecedent dry days, rainfall event amounts, and dust mass fraction of different size ranges, the average wash-off load of ΣPAHs from street dust was calculated to be 23kg per year in Beijing from 2000 to 2014 with an improved wash-off load calculation method. The main sources of PAHs in the street dust of Beijing's center were identified as gasoline emissions, diesel emissions, coal combustion and unburned petroleum.

Iron Gates Natural Park - Administration and Management

This paper analyzes the management and administration of one of the largest, beautiful and complex natural parks from Romania, the Iron Gates Natural Park. The management plan is a frame of integration of the biodiversity conservation problems and protection of the natural and cultural environment that also supports socio-economic development of Iron Gates Natural Park. It is also an instrument of dialog between the institutions which coordinate this area. The management plan is a document approved by H.G 1048/2013 and it resulted after consulting the interested factors of the area (city halls, local and central authorities, civil society). The administration of Iron Gates Natural Park has a new structure, founded in 2003 and is working as a subunit of Forest-National Administration (Romsilva), which assures the necessary personal and equipment for administrating the area. The area has the status of: Natural Park, Natura 2000 and Ramsar site. The forest represents 65% of the total area, 98% being a state property. Analysing Iron Gates Natural Park documents (Iron Gates Natural Park management plan, scientific council and park administration documents, visits and observations within park), we can conclude that the park has a good administration leaded by the scientific councils, who also achieved many successful European projects.

Dendroecology of Montpellier maple’s population (Acer monspessulanum) from the North Africa region: Analysis of maple stations characteristics and natural habitat

Acer monspessulanum (maple) is an endemic endangered tree with a wide but fragmented distribution in the Mediterranean mountains. The persistence of its small populations depends often on few adults, which makes it is highly vulnerable to limiting recruitment factors. In this paper, we examined the regeneration status of this maple in three populations through its geographical distribution in the mountain range of the Tunisian dorsal (Jbel Srerej national park and sacred site). Morphological parameters, genetic variability, and diversity were analyzed as species viability indicators. The ecological site of maple was studied based on the soil texture and structure under the population, additionally to the role of shrubs as nurse plants in maple regeneration dynamic. Here, the maple population in Tunisia was investigated for the first time. The results show that Acer monspessulanum population has a variation terms of height, stem diameter and crown diameter, it also shows that there is a good natural regeneration. Analysis of the soil’s physicochemical parameters showed that the species grows on sandy loam and clay loam soil, shallow and slightly alkaline pH. This study contributes to better characterization of the Tunisian maple population and its ecological niche from the standpoint of soil and vegetation.

A risk assessment for the introduction of invasive fish for Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site, Canada

Recent research has highlighted the need for invasive species risk assessments that consider multiple factors, such as habitat suitability and life history. With invasive species encroaching on the boundary of Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site (Kejimkujik), Canada, there is concern surrounding the potential ecological effects on the Park’s freshwater ecosystems. Herein we present a multifactor risk analysis for the risks of introduction of two invasive species, smallmouth bass and chain pickerel. Methods included computer-based analysis of cost–distance and habitat suitability, and a literature-based review of management techniques. Smallmouth bass were found to have a high risk of establishment and consequent ecological effects in Kejimkujik. Although chain pickerel can also negatively affect aquatic communities, their separation from the Park’s primary watershed and low dispersal ability resulted in lower levels of risk. Four recommendations were developed following a review of management techniques: (1) containment of the source population for smallmouth bass; (2) public education, outreach and communication; (3) monitoring and rapid response upon detection; and (4) collaboration with other parties. Although the present study focused on Kejimkujik, similar challenges for invasive freshwater fish assessment and mitigation exist elsewhere, and our methods may prove illustrative for researchers and managers working under similar conditions.

National Parks for New Audiences

Changing sociocultural and historiographic contexts require new approaches to interpretation and presentation at National Park Service–administered sites. Through the study of two NPS parks in Washington State (San Juan Island National Historical Park and Whitman Mission National Historic Site), this article explores the agency’s interpretive programs and practices in relation to founding mandates and contemporary relevance. As demonstrated by these case studies, efforts to expand programming and presentations within the NPS system are ongoing but at present insufficient in light of current changes in demographics and visitation. Ultimately, for the NPS to remain relevant in the twenty-first century it must respect founding mandates but diversify interpretation of its parks’ contested histories, thereby enhancing its contemporary relevance and better engaging today’s audiences.

General and histological indicators of health in wild fishes from a biological mercury hotspot in northeastern North America.

Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site, Nova Scotia, Canada, is considered a biological mercury (Hg) hotspot because the tissues of yellow perch (Perca flavescens) and common loons (Gavia immer) inhabiting the lakes frequently exceed so-called safe levels of Hg. In the present study, the relationships between Hg and overall health of males and females of 3 forage fish species (brown bullhead Ameirus nebulosus, banded killifish Fundulus diaphanus, and golden shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas; n = 6-18/sex/lake) in 6 lakes at the park were assessed using condition factor, liversomatic index (LSI), and macrophage aggregates (MAs; indicators of tissue damage). Mean muscle total Hg (THg) concentrations of brown bullhead, banded killifish, and golden shiner across lakes were 0.32 μg/g, 0.27 μg/g, and 0.34 μg/g, respectively. Condition was negatively related to muscle THg in golden shiner and banded killifish, LSI was not related to THg in any species, and all species showed evidence of increasing MA prevalence (counts and area) with increasing THg concentrations. The MAs were most prevalent in spleen tissues of golden shiner, with mean percentage cover ranging from 0.36% to 5.59% across lakes. In addition, the area of MAs appeared to be better predicted by THg concentration than was the number of MAs in the same tissue. These findings suggest that Hg is affecting the health of wild fishes in Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site and that other populations with similar or higher concentrations of this metal may also be at risk. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:976-987. © 2016 SETAC.

Recreational activity intersects foraging Ciconiiformes at the John D. MacArthur Beach State Park

Wading birds are considered to be ecological indicators for the health of natural habitats of South Florida. This observational study, using a fixed point count survey, focussed on the order Ciconiiformes, which are represented by three families, Ardeidae, Threskiornithidae and Ciconiidae in Florida. Many of the wading birds in South Florida are year round residents, but populations are supplemented with a few additional wintering members of species such as the Great Egret, Snowy Egret and Roseate Spoonbill. We wanted to investigate whether non-breeding or migratory wading birds utilised other local areas for foraging. We chose the John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, located in Palm Beach County, Florida, as our study site. This park site was chosen as a result of personal observation of recreational activities directly on the tidal flats, anecdotal evidence of dwindling bird numbers, and a steady increase of human recreational activity. The purpose of this study was to (1) determine if these particular tidal flats provide any habitat significance to non-breeding wading birds, (2) determine if human recreational activities deter foraging and (3) provide information on supplemental foraging grounds exploited by Ciconiiformes. This study concludes that the John D. MacArthur Beach State Park is not currently a significant foraging ground utilised by Ciconiiformes and our data suggest that human recreational activities contribute direct intrusion for foraging wading birds at this intertidal estuary.

Occurrence and distribution of selected potentially toxic elements in soils of playing sites: a case study from Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia

This study investigates the occurrence and distribution of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) (As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn) in soils collected at playing sites in kindergartens and urban parks in Bratislava city. It was found that the history of urban development was an important factor influencing the occurrence of PTEs in soils. The mean concentrations of PTEs were two times higher (mean of 215 mg/kg for the sum of PTEs) in the oldest urban parts than in urban parts of the city with younger history (mean of 110 mg/kg). Significant positive correlations between the concentrations of Cu, Hg, Pb, Zn and total organic carbon content (Spearman r = 0.23–0.49; α < 0.05–0.001), as well as between the As, Cu, Pb, Zn concentrations and the total Fe content (Spearman r = 0.27–0.55; α < 0.05–0.001) indicated that soil characteristics had also influenced the distributions of PTEs in soils. The values of enrichment factor (EF) and contamination factor (CF) were higher than 1.5 and 1.0, respectively, confirming an anthropogenic contribution to the total concentrations of PTEs in soils. It is expected that there is no non-carcinogenic health risk to children due to exposure to PTEs in soils as the calculated values of hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) did not exceed the threshold of 1.0.