Recreational Areas Research Articles

URBAN PARKS: PROTECTION AND RECOVERY OF FRAGILE AREAS IN THE LANDSCAPE - CASE STUDY IN THE CITY OF SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL

Urban parks represent the main area for outdoor leisure and recreation in urban environments, as well as the primary tool for protecting environmentally fragile areas such as slopes, valley bottoms, and degraded areas. This study conducts an analysis of urban parks from the perspective of the physical characteristics of the relief, guided by the premise that parks were strategically implemented in fragile areas of the urban environment. To this end, a case study was developed in the Central-West region of the city of São Paulo, through the analysis of thematic maps (hydrography, topography, and land use) available on the São Paulo City Hall website. The selection criteria for the analyzed units were based on the size of the area, selecting: the largest area, the smallest area, and an intermediate-sized area. The analyzed parks were: Zilda Natel Park, implemented on a slope and in an old degraded area; Aclimação Park, implemented in a valley bottom; and Villa Lobos Park, implemented in a valley bottom, subject to flooding, and an old degraded area. According to the characteristics of the physical location and historical occupation, it is clear that the initial premises were corroborated: the parks were implemented in fragile areas of the urban landscape.

Occurrence of recreational water quality monitoring general fecal indicator bacteria and fecal source identification genetic markers in gray seal scat

The number of gray seals (Halichoerus grypus) observed along the United States Northwest Atlantic region has been increasing for decades. These colonial animals often haul-out on beaches seasonally in numbers ranging from a few individuals to several thousands. While these larger aggregations are an important part of gray seal behavior, there is public concern that haul-outs could lead to large amounts of fecal waste in recreational areas, potentially resulting in beach closures. Yet, data to confirm whether these animals contribute to beach closures is lacking and minimal information is available on the occurrence of key water quality monitoring genetic markers in gray seal scat. This study evaluates the concentration of E. coli (EC23S857), enterococci (Entero1a), and fecal Bacteroidetes (GenBac3) as well as six fecal source identification genetic markers (HF183/BacR287, HumM2, CPQ_056, Rum2Bac, DG3, and GFD) measured by qPCR in 48 wild gray seal scat samples collected from two haul-out areas in Cape Cod (Massachusetts, U.S.A.). Findings indicate that FIB genetic markers are shed in gray seal scat at significantly different concentrations with the Entero1a genetic marker exhibiting the lowest average concentration (−0.73 log10 estimated mean copies per nanogram of DNA). In addition, systematic testing of scat samples demonstrated that qPCR assays targeting host-associated genetic markers indicative of human, ruminant, and canine fecal pollution sources remain highly specific in waters frequented by gray seals (>97 % specificity).

СУЧАСНІ ПІДХОДИ ДО ПРОСТОРОВОЇ ОРГАНІЗАЦІЇ МУЗЕЇВ ТА ЕКСПОЗИЦІЙ ПРОСТО НЕБА. ЄВРОПЕЙСЬКИЙ ДОСВІД

There are numerous open-air museums worldwide, and public spaces often incorporate both permanent and temporary outdoor exhibitions. Based on studies conducted on open-air museums and exhibitions in Vienna and its surrounding areas, as part of the academic cooperation program TU Vienna – TU Lviv, this article explores the European approach to the architectural and spatial organization of such institutions. Through this research, contemporary approaches to their architectural and spatial organization were examined, and both positive and negative aspects were highlighted. This article aims to analyze the distinct features of the architectural and spatial organization of European open-air museums and exhibitions, identifying their positive aspects and approaches that could be implemented in Ukraine. In Ukrainian studies, the topic of modern open-air museums is only gaining popularity and is not well presented. Hence, involving local scholars in this globally expanding field would be relevant. European open-air museums, particularly in Austria, show several trends in spatial organization, including a comprehensive approach, accessibility, family-oriented infrastructure, wide implementation of interactive elements, and integration of multimedia technologies. These museums blend original artifacts with modern enhancements to provide visitors with a unique experience. Noteworthy aspects observed in open-air museums and exhibitions, which are scarce or absent in Ukraine, include combining several neighboring objects into one museum complex, a large number of children's playgrounds, ample recreation and food areas, inclusiveness, infrastructure for dog walking, provision of venues for holding mass events, and onsite production and sale of themed merchandise in souvenir shops. The principles of spatial and architectural organization in open-air museums and exhibitions in Vienna and its vicinity boast several positive features that we believe are pertinent for implementation in Ukraine. Notably, interactivity to engage visitors and inclusivity, which is poised to be a pressing issue during Ukraine's post-war reconstruction, stand out as crucial aspects. The findings from this study can serve as a foundation for enhancing existing or designing new open-air museums in Ukraine.

Raw Material Stage Assessment of Seating Elements as Urban Furniture and Eco-Model Proposals

As cities strive to become sustainable, it is imperative to consider even the smallest components of the urban environment and prioritize sustainability. Ensuring the sustainability of urban furniture, especially the numerous benches found in cities, is crucial. This study proposes an alternative solution to the sustainability issue in cities regarding urban furniture. This is because a review of the literature indicates that while efforts have been made to evaluate the sustainability of urban amenities and furniture, studies conducting life cycle analysis specifically for urban furniture are lacking. This study will contribute to the identified gap in the literature by analyzing 14 different seating elements in recreational areas located in the city of Rize, Turkey, using the Ccalc program to calculate their carbon footprints. In the subsequent phase of this study, an eco-design process will be conducted based on the findings, aiming to create an eco-seating unit design. Based on the data obtained, materials with high environmental impact were identified, material replacement recommendations were made, and consequently, a model proposal was presented. The potential reduction in carbon footprints with the use of transformed materials was discussed. The findings revealed that carbon footprint values were particularly high in the seating units where concrete and polypropylene materials were used. Additionally, it was determined that solvent paint, especially varnish, affects the carbon footprint, and it was recommended that would be used in its natural form, which is eco-friendly. In conclusion, the recommendations developed for the sustainability of urban furniture in coastal areas will contribute to the future of cities and humanity.

The Effect of Green Stormwater Infrastructures on Urban-Tier Human Thermal Comfort—A Case Study in High-Density Urban Blocks

Green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) is a key approach to greening and cooling high-density blocks. Previous studies have focused on the impact of a single GSI on thermal comfort on sunny days, ignoring rainwater’s role and GSI combinations. Therefore, based on measured data of a real urban area in Nanjing, China, this study utilized 45 single-GSI and combination simulation scenarios, as well as three local climate zone (LCZ) baseline scenarios to compare and analyze three high-density blocks within the city. Among the 32 simulations specifically conducted in LCZ1 and LCZ2, 2 of them were dedicated to baseline scenario simulations, whereas the remaining 30 simulations were evenly distributed across LCZ1 and LCZ2, with 15 simulations allocated to each zone. The physiological equivalent temperature (PET) was calculated using the ENVI-met specification to evaluate outdoor thermal comfort. The objective of this research was to determine the optimal GSI combinations for different LCZs, their impact on pedestrian thermal comfort, GSI response to rainwater, and the effect of GSI on pedestrian recreation areas. Results showed that GSI combinations are crucial for improving thermal comfort in compact high-rise and mid-rise areas, while a single GSI suffices in low-rise areas. In extreme heat, rainfall is vital for GSI’s effectiveness, and complex GSI can extend the thermal comfort improvement time following rainfall by more than 1 h. Adding shading and trees to GSI combinations maximizes thermal comfort in potential crowd activity areas, achieving up to 54.23% improvement. Future GSI construction in high-density blocks should focus on different combinations of GSI based on different LCZs, offering insights for GSI planning in Southeast Asia.

Comprehensive review of solid waste management strategies and disposal approaches

Solid waste management is a worldwide concern with substantial environmental, social, and economic ramifications. This review provides a complete assessment of solid waste management from an Indian viewpoint. It presents an overview of the current state, difficulties, and prospects in solid waste management, focusing on environmental sustainability and public health. The goal is to give a comprehensive overview of many approaches utilized to manage and reduce the expanding problem of solid waste. It examines a variety of waste management techniques, such as landfill disposal, recycling, composting, waste-to-energy practices, and waste elimination and minimizing. Many municipalities across the country prefer landfilling for the removal of solid waste. In landfills, waste is transformed through chemical, biological, and physical processes, functioning as an environmental furnace. Therefore, soil cover thickness, barriers, leachate collecting, landfill gas recovery, and flaring facilities are essential for sustainable landfilling. The benefits of composting and anaerobic breakdown for decreasing the environmental effect of biological waste are examined in this review. Hazardous chemicals in landfills can have severe ecological and public health consequences. It looks into the benefits of effective dangerous waste disposal, such as pollution control and resource recovery. Mining and reusing landfills for diverse uses, such as renewable energy generation and recreational areas, have the potential to be beneficial. The article discusses upcoming solid waste management trends and technologies such as intelligent garbage collection mechanisms, reuse and recycling concepts, and sustainable packaging solutions. It emphasizes the potential of these advances to improve overall waste management effectiveness and sustainability.

Developing Guidelines to Increase Green Space in Communities in Thailand Based on the Integration of Green Space into Commercial and Waterfront Routes in Singapore and Hangzhou (China)

The objective of this study is to determine how to increase green space that can overlap with areas that are primarily used for transport in commercial areas and waterfront routes in communities in Thailand, where transportation is limited, in order to provide urban populations an opportunity to access green space in various forms. In this study, the following was found: (1) Commercial routes should be considered. Specifically, green spaces should be created in various forms by considering the sizes of footpaths as well as restrictions on planting; the plants should be native plants because they are easy to care for and help convey the boundaries of an area. A “landmark” that represents the identity of a community should be used to create a meeting point for people entering the commercial area, and designers should use the principles of universal design to make all groups of people feel confident and safe when accessing the area. Finally, vacant or abandoned areas between buildings may also be used. (2) Waterside travel routes should also be considered. Green spaces should be distributed into points, or some routes should be made wider to accommodate various activities; areas along canals or river banks or degraded waterways should be developed or improved to create a recreational area designed with the community’s unique identity in mind, which may develop into a destination for tourists. Importantly, agencies who are responsible for working with the people in the community need to continuously care for these green spaces to enhance sustainability.

MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR RECREATIONAL FISHING IN THE HYDROGRAPHIC ÂNCORA RIVER BASIN

This work is the result of the most recent studies carried out by the ICNF in the drainage basin of the future recreational fishing area (ZPL) of the Âncora river. These supported the design of a plan for the sustainable management and exploitation of recreational fishing in this river basin, which is part of the Minho and Lima Hydrographic Region (RH1). Seven sampling stations were set up for this purpose. Six in the main watercourse and one in the Regueiro dos Enxurros, in the middle of an area of successive waterfalls, just before its confluence with the Regueiro da Lapa Ladrão, which is considered to be the source of the Âncora River. At these stations, hydromorphological quality assessments were carried out on 500 m stretches using the River Habitat Survey (RHS) methodology and fish community monitoring (three per station, for a total of twenty-one inventories) using the electrofishing technique. The results made it possible to consider implementing more sustainable management and exploitation measures for fishing in these continental bodies of water. In this context, the management options took marked account of conservation objectives associated with the presence of European eels (Anguilla anguilla) and red eels (Achondrostoma spp.), the wide distribution of trout (Salmo trutta) and the reduced presence of boga (Pseudochondrostoma duriense) whose distribution in the upper third of this drainage basin is conditioned by a very peculiar geomorphology, filled with numerous slopes, which give rise to beautiful waterfalls. With the information collected, data on the age, growth and physical condition of the ichthyofauna assessed was studied, and their relationship with the different types of habitat in which they occurred was established. The results show that these are watercourses with "Excellent" quality habitats, but with levels of artificialization ranging from "severely modified" to "predominantly unmodified", the result of anthropogenic actions over time. Trout (Salmo trutta) are the most widely distributed species along the main watercourse. The absence of exotic aquaculture species in the samples and the lack of medium to large water impoundment structures in the hydrographic network evaluated should be emphasized. The existing river compartmentalization is materialized by the numerous micro-weirs (many of which allow aquatic organisms to migrate for a good part of the year) and a few waterfalls (natural cascades) that prevent fish from passing through. The trout show isometric growth for all the sampling stations, a balanced physical robustness and a maximum lifespan of 6 years. As a practical result of this study, a Recreational Fishing Management and Exploration Plan for the Âncora River will be created, which will support the design of measures to promote the sustainable management of recreational fishing in the area of the future LPZ, reconciling this activity with nature conservation objectives.

Methodology for determining the scope of reclamation works when forming recreational zone in the quarry residual space

The article is devoted to the development of methodological recommendations aimed at increasing the recreation territory during reclamation, taking into account the flooding of the quarry residual space. Calculations of the reclamation works volume during the forming of a recreation area on the quarry slope were made. The influence of the embankment section width of the soil in the flooded quarry space on the embankment geometric shape was established. Calculating method of the reclamation works volumes are proposed, taking into account the indicators of the slope inclination angle and the height of the embankment being formed. A scheme for the safe recreation area location within the quarry residual space has been developed, which allows determining the necessary parameters of the mining elements that affect on the volume of embankments construction. A method of determining the volume of works for the formation of a recreation area in the quarry is proposed, taking into account the embankment width and height, the resulting slope angle, the safe angle of mining rocks inclination at the dumping into flooded quarry. It has been established that the volume of reclamation depends on the embankment parameters when the quarry watered area is changed.

Assessment and mapping of noise pollution in recreation spaces using geostatistic method after COVID-19 lockdown in Turkey

Increased use of recreational areas after the lifting of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions has led to increased noise levels. This study aims to determine the level of noise pollution experienced in recreational areas with the increasing domestic and international tourism activities after the lifting of pandemic lockdowns, to produce spatial distribution maps of noise pollution, and to develop strategic planning suggestions for reducing noise pollution in line with the results obtained. Antalya-Konyaaltı Beach Recreation Area, the most important international tourism destination of Turkey, is determined as the study area. To determine the existing noise pollution, 31 measurement points were marked at 100 m intervals within the study area. Noise measurements were taken during the daytime (07:00–19:00), evening (19:00–23:00), and nighttime (23:00–07:00) on weekdays (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) and weekends (Sunday) over 2 months in the summer when the lockdown was lifted. In addition, the sound level at each measurement point was recorded for 15 min, while the number of vehicles passing through the area during the same period was determined. The database created as a result of measurements and observations was analyzed using statistical and geostatistical methods. After the analysis of the data, it was found that the co-kriging-stable model showed superior performance in noise mapping. Additionally, it was revealed that there is a high correlation between traffic density and noise intensity, with the highest equivalent noise level (Leq) on weekdays and weekend evenings due to traffic and user density. In conclusion, regions exposed to intense noise pollution were identified and strategic planning recommendations were developed to prevent/reduce noise sources in these identified regions.

Marketing Policy with Targeting to Attract New Customers to Ecological Recreation Areas in the Context of Sustainable Development of the Region

Marketing Policy with Targeting to Attract New Customers to Ecological Recreation Areas in the Context of Sustainable Development of the Region

State Legal Policy for Planning Sustainable Development of Recreational Areas: Environmental Risk Assessment for Open Socio-Economic Systems

State Legal Policy for Planning Sustainable Development of Recreational Areas: Environmental Risk Assessment for Open Socio-Economic Systems

Seeing through their eyes: Revealing recreationists’ landscape preferences through viewshed analysis and machine learning

Planning for outdoor recreation requires knowledge about the needs and preferences of recreationists. While previous research has mainly relied on stated preferences, recent advances in spatial data collection and analysis have enabled the assessments of actual usage patterns. In this study, we explored how landscape characteristics interact with the attributes of recreationists to determine their area choice for recreation. Using a public participation GIS (PPGIS) approach we asked residents of a Swedish city in the boreal region to draw typical recreational routes and identify favourite places for recreation on a digital online map (1389 routes, 385 individuals). We employed a novel methodology, where LiDAR data was used to calculate what was visible along all routes and at favourite places (viewsheds) in order to more realistically capture the landscape that each recreationist had experienced. Using machine learning modelling, we compared landscape characteristics of experienced areas with areas available to each recreationist. Our novel approach yielded accurate models that revealed that water environments, recreational infrastructure and deciduous forests increased the probability of choosing an area for recreation, while urban environments, noise, forest clearcuts and young forests had the opposite effect. Characteristics of the recreationists such as age, gender, level of education, or of the activity, such as type of activity performed, did not meaningfully influence area choice. Our findings suggest that it is possible to improve the conditions for recreation by developing recreational infrastructure, maintaining recreation opportunities close to waters, and adapting forest management in areas important for recreation.

A multisensor approach coupled with multivariate statistics and geostatistics for assessing the status of land degradation: The case of soils contaminated in a former outdoor shooting range

Soil contamination in outdoor shooting ranges (OSRs) is a major threat for human health, particularly when, after the end of activities, the land is used for recreational areas or agricultural production. The status of land degradation of an OSR in southern Italy was assessed using a multisensor approach. It was based on: i) proximal sensors, including electromagnetic induction (EMI) for measuring soil electrical conductivity (ECa) and magnetic susceptibility (MSa), γ-ray spectrometry for K, eU and eTh analyses and ultrasonic penetrometry detecting cone index (CI) data representative of soil's strength, ii) field surveys on soil thickness (ST), and iii) laboratory analyses of potentially-toxic-elements (PTEs) by portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by gas-chromatography. Spatial variability of measurements was modelled and mapped using geostatistical methods. The most densely measured covariate (i.e., the ECa of the topsoil) was used within kriging with external drift to improve the PTEs predictions. The PTEs maps were complemented by maps of spatial uncertainty. A robust multivariate principal component analysis (rPCA) was applied to proximal sensor and laboratory data and allowed to identify associations of PAHs, lead, CI with the topsoil ECa along the first component (PC1), highlighting the correlation between land anthropogenic effects and EMI measures; while the association between the ST (estimating the depth of underground travertine hard-layers) and the bottom soil ECa and MSa along the second component (PC2) evidenced the influence of soil stratigraphy on the EMI measures. This study demonstrates that the simultaneous use of different proximal sensors associated with laboratory analysis can allow to assess and model the spatial variability of the land degradation status of an OSR, including soil compaction, organic and inorganic contamination. The correlation between EMI data with the PTEs content highlights the potential of this technique in the field of soil contamination.

A study on the improvement of bicycle transportation in Sivas city using hybrid multi-criteria model based network analysis

AbstractThe bicycle stands out as a sustainability-friendly vehicle due to its benefits for health, the environment, and the economy. However, the deficiencies and inadequacies in the cycling infrastructure prevent a safe and comfortable riding environment, in addition to indirectly preventing the widespread use of bicycles. This study aims to integrate a few disconnected bicycle routes in a city and create a bicycle road network that will allow the efficient use of bicycles in the urban area by using a Hybrid Multi-Criteria Model-Based Network Analysis. In the study, considering the physical, social, and visual criteria that should be used when determining bicycle paths, the suitability weight of each road line for bicycle transportation was determined. In this step, the bicycle path network was created using the weighted roads between the important points of the city in terms of tourism, trade, education, health, culture, transportation, and recreation areas. The most suitable bicycle routes were generated by network analysis considering the weighted roads that were determined by a model hybridized with the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and analytic network process (ANP) methods and minimum distances. When the eligibility checks of the obtained routes were made, it was determined that while 99.7% of the roads passed through moderately suitable, suitable, and very suitable roads, only 0.3% of the new routes passed through unsuitable roads. The findings revealed that both efficient and less costly bicycle lines can be created using the proposed method.

ГЕОЭКОЛОГИЧЕСКАЯ ОЦЕНКА КАЧЕСТВА ПОВЕРХНОСТНЫХ ВОД В РЕКРЕАЦИОННОЙ ЗОНЕ ОЗЕРА АЛАКОЛЬ

The purpose of the study is a geoecological evaluation of the influence of recreational actions and of tourism on the characteristics of superficial waters in the recreational zone of Lake Alakol in the Abay region. Geoecological assessment of the quality of surface water in the recreational zone of the above-mentioned lake is important in the number of vacationers in recent years and the increasing intensity of recreational use. The article examines issues regarding the compound of heavy metals and other harmful metals and connections in the superficial waters of the recreational area of the above-mentioned lake. Data were obtained on the connections metals, nutrients and organic substances in the superficial waters of the recreational zone of the above-mentioned lake. The hydrochemical content of the water in the recreational zone of Lake Alakol was studied and analyzed and a comparative specification of the structure of contaminant in superficial waters was materialized out.

Analysis of Dissolved Oxygen on Tuban Coast Using Remote Sensing Algorithms from Landsat 8 Satellite Image Data and Interpolated Polynomials

Dissolved oxygen is one of the parameters to detect whether a water body is experiencing interference or pollution due to the influence of pollutants and the presence of dirt from outside such as garbage discharges from local communities. Dissolved oxygen plays an important role in the life of biota in the aquatic environment, especially in coastal areas because with sufficient oxygen levels in water bodies, living things will be able to grow and multiply properly. This study wants to try to analyze dissolved oxygen levels in the coastal area of Tuban, where this coast is good for study because the morphology of the beach is relatively gentle and close to the recreation area of Boom Tuban beach. The method used in analyzing the distribution of dissolved oxygen is by remote sensing technology to obtain reflectance values from satellite images used to compile algorithms where later the most optimal mathematical model of dissolved oxygen can be obtained on the coast of Boom. Furthermore, it will also be modeled with a polynomial interpolation approach to obtain the best results from the reflectance relationship of the image with dissolved oxygen levels. The results obtained show that the polynomial approach of degrees 2 and 3 does not provide a significant increase in the correlation value besides that dissolved oxygen levels are still within normal limits, and have not experienced significant pollution so that it does not require expensive coastal handling, only needs monitoring every year to get a healthy water situation to support coastal areas intended for regional tourism.

Spatial and temporal analysis of physical and chemical properties of Short Creek

Freshwater systems are vitally important. Ecologically, rivers and streams are responsible for immense biodiversity, providing habitat for terrestrial and aquatic flora and fauna. Freshwater systems benefit humans in innumerable ways, providing drinking water to millions of people, means of transportation, food sources, and recreation areas. Nevertheless, the degradation of freshwater ecosystems continues to worsen at alarming rates. Long-term water quality monitoring can help determine the best management practices to improve and restore waterways. This study assessed changes in water chemistry in the Short Creek tributary located in Wheeling, WV, comparing historical data to current, focusing on physical and chemical water quality parameters data recorded from single monthly points obtained from historical data and averaged monthly points from current data. Short Creek represents 4 of 11 sites where data is collected weekly year-round. This data collection has been ongoing since 2018 and is part of a more extensive compilation hosted by Three Rivers Quest and the WVU Water Resource Research Institute. Water temperature, dissolved oxygen, chloride, specific conductivity, pH, and turbidity were recorded and analyzed utilizing Excel and RStudio. The increased frequency of monitoring provides a more accurate representation of Short Creek's overall condition. Both historical and current datasets were incomplete but generally did not show declines. A concerted effort in long-term water quality monitoring is necessary for understanding stream health. Current and historical data combined give us more resolution to estimate trends in water chemistry, better determine stream health progress, and assist in implementing best management practices.

Changing perspectives of international second home tourists towards recreational activities in Türkiye

Study Objective: This study aims to empirically analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on changes in international second residence tourists' perspective on recreational activities and their recreational experiences.Methodology/approach: An empirical qualitative perspective was adopted in the study. Online surveys were sent to a total of 500 international second residence tourists in Alanya/Turkey. Analyzes were made on the 430 response data returned.Orginality/value: Recreational areas are extremely important in the destination selection of international second home tourists’. There is a gap in studies focusing on changes in their recreational experiences during the pandemic. For the sustainability of the demand for second homes in the destination, it is necessary to follow the changes experienced during the pandemic process and to make provision for negativities. The study compares the purposes of participating in recreational activities of international second home tourists before the pandemic and during the pandemic period. It also comparatively analyzes the level of participation in indoor, outdoor and virtual recreational activities before the pandemic and during the pandemic period.Main results: Study results confirmed that the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the recreational activities in which second residence tourists participated.While the pandemic has reduced the interest in indoor activities, it has also increased the interest in outdoor and virtual activities significantly. Theoretical/methodological contributions: The pandemic process has not yet been fully clarified. Thus, the black swan theory remains valid for the Pandemic Process. The results of this study provide an understanding of the effects of COVID-19 specific to the experiences of international second residence tourists. The results of this study will guide the ongoing studies on second homes. Social/management contributions: In the new normal process, the demand for recreation areas has increased. Thus, carrying capacity problems arose. As a result, the destination satisfaction of international second home tourists may decrease and may decide to leave the destination. Locals who cannot use recreational areas may feel displaced. It must be taken into account that the pandemic has brought xenophobia to the agenda. Local governments should definitely make a new plan for the use of recreational areas in order to prevent possible conflicts between international second home tourists and local people.

Study finds birders with disabilities face accessibility obstacles

A study conducted by Virginia Tech researchers sheds light on the challenges faced by birders (https://bit.ly/3xej5Id). The study concluded that one in three birders encounters accessibility obstacles during birding activities. Published in the journal Human Dimensions and Wildlife, the research combines the areas of disability studies and wildlife recreation.