Recreational Services Research Articles

DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOURISM INDUSTRY IN THE SOUTH OF RUSSIA UNDER CONDITIONS OF RESTRICTIONS

The growth of investments in tourism and increase in production due to increased tourist demand has a positive synergistic effect on all sectors of the country's economy. That encourages investment activity, the creation of new jobs, the expansion of trade, and an increase in wages. A part of the income comes through taxes to the state budget. A synergistic effect occurs consequently. This research showed that the system of organization and development of the tourist services market represents a combination of financial and economic structures, models, and management methods. With the help of it, social, group coordination, and private interest arising from the growth of the tourist product market are achieved. The paper presents the methods and tools that enable the assessment of the region's competitiveness in the tourist and recreational services provisions and an overview of the main factors that influence the demand for these services. The consistency and objectivity of the considered problems in their mutual connection and interdependence are ensured by considering general economic principles and methods of analyzing the legality of economic development, logical analysis, decision theory methods, set theory, historical method, abstract-logical method, statistical methods (consideration of indicators in dynamics, grouping, method of detailing), methods of comparison, comparison, etc. The study is based on economic literature, works of contemporary scientists, the legislative framework of the Russian Federation, materials of state statistical authorities, materials of scientific conferences, and the information potential of the Internet.

СРАВНИТЕЛЬНЫЙ АНАЛИЗ ПОДХОДОВ В ПОНИМАНИИ И РАЗВИТИИ АГРОТУРИЗМА И СЕЛЬСКОГО ТУРИЗМА

The article deals with the problem of interpreting the terms rural tourism and agritourism. The key objectives ofthe study are to define the terms and distinguish between these concepts. Agritourism is the basis for the development of tou ristand recreational services provided on farms. With the widening range of tourist and recreational services, agritourism turns intorural tourism and integrates into the tourist and recreational complex. The great importance of research in agriculture and r uralareas is known, but there are no works aimed at solving the problem of the integration development of agritourism, rural tourismas a combination of agro-industrial and tourist-recreational complexes in Russia. In the tourist and recreational complex, consumerpreferences are becoming more complex and oriented toward agritourism, more and more farmers consider agritourism as the mainor additional type of activity. Currently, agritourism is of great scientific interest. The present research was based on an analysis ofpublications of Russian and foreign authors with the use of the comparative method. The result of the work is the developed t erminology.

Використання природних рекреаційних ресурсів для потреб відпочинку в умовах війни

The article is devoted to the study of natural recreational resources and the infrastructure available for this purpose in the Pobuzka territorial community of Kirovohrad region, as well as the possible use of these resources for recreation and recuperation during a full-scale war. The main natural resourcessuch as climatic, water and forest of the community are analyzed. It is revealed how the available resources are used or can be used to organize recreation and restore human strength, and how each of the proposed types of recreational activities affects the human body. The peculiarities of using species-based resources for local socio-economic development as one of the sources of revenue for the community budget are revealed. It is justified that rural tourism can be a promising type of tourism in this territory, taking into the ongoing war and the resources required for its development. The main possible leisure and recreation services on the territory of the studied community were analyzed and it was determined that they are suitable for various categories of visitors during the war, primarily for people living in neighboring communities, forcibly displaced persons, families and victims of military aggression on the territory of Ukraine .

Administrative and legal regulation of entities providing distinctive and accompanying tourism and recreational services (hotels, guides, museums, transport companies)

Administrative and legal regulation of entities providing distinctive and accompanying tourism and recreational services (hotels, guides, museums, transport companies)

Екотуристичний потенціал Нижньодністровського національного природного парку

The article analyzes the natural and recreational resources for ecological tourism within the Lower Dniester National Nature Park (LDNNP). The results of the study showed that the best time to visit the LDNNP is the period from April to October. At this time, there is a maximum species diversity of plants and animals, as well as favorable weather conditions. In general, the territory of the LDNNP is characterized by a rather large diversity of flora and fauna, the presence of a significant number of species from the Red Book of Ukraine, a well-developed hydrological network, and the presence of viewing platforms. The article also describes the list of ecological recreational services provided by the LDNNP. The conclusions provide recommendations for the further development and popularization of ecotourism on the territory of the park.

SoCal EcoServe: an online mapping tool to estimate wildfire impacts in southern California

Background Wildfires in Mediterranean-type climate regions have numerous impacts on the ecosystem services provided by native shrublands, however, quantifying these impacts is challenging. Aims We developed a reproducible method to quantify fire impacts on ecosystem services and created a tool for resource managers in southern California. Methods The SoCal EcoServe tool consists of two components: a desktop tool and an online mapping tool. We used the Alisal Fire of 2021 as a case study and quantified: aboveground live carbon storage using pre- and post-fire biomass data; water runoff, groundwater recharge and sediment erosion retention by integrating data on burn severity into hydrological and sediment erosion models; and estimated recreation services and biodiversity using pre-fire data. Key results We estimated the Alisal Fire resulted in an immediate post-fire reduction in carbon storage of 25%, of which 20% was estimated to be permanently lost. Water runoff increased by 21%, groundwater recharge 7-fold, and sediment erosion increased 24-fold. Conclusions The EcoServe tool provides an initial approximation of wildfire impacts that can support damage assessments post-fire, track carbon storage and help identify priorities for post-fire restoration. Implications We intend the tool to be used by USDA Forest Service resource managers of shurblands in southern California. However, it can provide the framework for future work in shrublands throughout the western USA.

Environmental Inequalities in Ecosystem Services Benefits of Green Infrastructure: A Case Study from China

Rapid urbanization is widespread globally, particularly impacting developing countries. In the face of climate challenges and shrinking public spaces resulting from urbanization, the significance of green infrastructure (GI) for human well-being and sustainability has increasingly taken center stage. This study employs an array of social-environmental benefits to evaluate GI’s contributions to human well-being, including mitigation of the urban heat island (UHI) effect, recreational functions, enhanced landscape connectivity, and efficient stormwater management. By mapping GI’s advantages, we scrutinized tradeoffs and ‘hot spots’ linked to these benefits within a metropolitan region. Moreover, we correlated GI’s advantages with the well-being of different socio-economic status (SES) groups by global and local regression. The study reveals environmental inequality, with higher SES areas—such as affluent and well-educated neighborhoods—providing superior and multifaceted GI benefits. The income coefficient is significantly positively correlated with the recreation function at the 1% significance level, while the coefficient for education is significant at the 10% level. Moreover, the income coefficient (0.349) surpasses the education coefficient (0.012). Our research also highlights that accessibility to GI’s recreational services may be an essential and overlooked indicator of environmental justice, especially for communities with a high proportion of elderly and low-income individuals.

Study on the Problems and Strategies of Recreational and Educational Services for the Elderly in Transitional Communities in the Context of Positive Ageing

With the aim to address the shortage of recreational resources available for elderly communities in transition, and to overcome the challenge of balancing population ageing and social restructuring across China, this study explores the recreational services offered to the elderly in transition areas through an analysis of the studies conducted on recreational services for the elderly. Besides, various perspectives are taken to examine the challenges facing the Chinese recreational services for the elderly industry, such as service forms and recreational products, which are purposed to promote the development of elderly care services in transitional communities. From the perspective of social work, appropriate measures and recommendations are proposed to develop a forward-looking plan for further research on the recreational services system intended for the elderly in transitional communities.

How ocean beach recreational quality fits with safety issues? An analysis of risky behaviours in France

Beaches are highly attractive environments providing a wealth of recreational services. However, many people drown unintentionally on beaches worldwide. In the face of these dangers, the establishment of supervised swimming areas remains one of the most effective preventive measures. Despite the risk of drowning, many beachgoers choose to recreate outside supervised areas or at unpatrolled beaches. Based on a representative survey of 240 beachgoers living in the south-west of France, we combine variable clustering method and logistic regressions to predict risky location choices. Surfers, anglers and beachgoers who practice beach sports are more likely to go outside the lifeguard supervised areas at patrolled beaches than those who do not. Collecting shells or having a picnic also encourages people to go to unsafe places more often. Individuals who do not like facilities are more likely to go to unpatrolled beaches. Neither gender nor the distance travelled to recreate at the beach has any significant statistical influence in the models. Two types of information seeking behaviours can be identified. Individuals who like waves and collect marine and weather information before going to the beach are more likely than others to bath outside of patrolled areas. In comparison, those who do not like waves do not necessarily seek to improve their knowledge base on the subject, but instead look for more detailed information on supervision/lifesaving patrols. These results highlight the need for a broader beach safety perspective with stronger interactions between lifeguards, beachgoers, and designers of recreational facilities. Management implicationsIn this study, we demonstrated how preferences regarding outdoor recreation and beach recreational quality indirectly cause beachgoers to expose themselves to danger. It's therefore necessary to design recreational facilities that encourage people to remain in supervised, patrolled areas. It is also important to build a comprehensive beach safety perspective that includes lifeguards', recreational facilities designers' as well as beachgoers' representations and practices. On unpatrolled beaches, the time needed for rescuers to arrive may be delayed. Surfers and anglers who go to unpatrolled beaches more often than others could act as by stander rescuers if properly trained. The results underline the need to rethink widespread communication and prevention policy design. The findings show that people who declared themselves informed about marine weather conditions before coming to the beach are more likely than others to bathe outside supervised areas.

Nordic socio-recreational ecosystem services in a hydropeaked river

Fluctuating energy prices call for short-term river flow regulation at hydropower plants (HPPs), which can lead to hydropeaking – the pulsating water flow downstream from a HPP. Hydropeaking can affect land use areas of regulated rivers and subsequently their socio–recreational ecosystem services (SRESs). These areas often offer a range of services, such as swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, cycling, and berry picking. Such activities hold significant value in Nordic culture and for human wellbeing. We have examined how SRES land use areas are affected by hourly hydropeaking in a reach of the Kemijoki River in Finland. First, we determined the state of hydropeaking in the river by employing two indicators, normalized daily maximum flow difference and sub-daily flow ramping. Next, we looked at the spatiotemporal impacts of peaking hydrology using inundation maps derived from 2D-hydrodynamic modeling and a high-resolution land use map with clearly identified SRES areas. Finally, we examined the hazards to hydraulic safety in the river channel in the context of instream recreation. Our results show that hydropeaking levels in the study area remained consistently high throughout the entire study period, from 2010 to 2021. This was the case in all seasons except for the spring of 2013, 2016 and 2019. We determined that hydropeaking impacts on SRESs are mostly felt in the littoral zone (0.84 km2 i.e., 3.1 % of the study area) during the summer season as 25 % (0.21 km2) of this zone is influenced by hydropeaking. In addition, multiple recreational use areas in this zone, such as beaches, riparian forest, and summer cottages, were found to be affected by hydropeaking. The results show that most of the river channel becomes hydraulically unsafe during high ramping flows. The highest hazard to instream recreation opportunities is likely to occur during summer. Consequently, hydropeaking can threaten the social and recreational services of Nordic rivers.

Multilevel meta-analysis of stated preference values of marine ecosystem services in China

On the basis of a review of studies on the stated preference valuation of China’s marine ecosystem services conducted between 1996 and 2021, this paper presents a meta-analysis of the estimates of marine ecosystem service benefits by using a multilevel modeling approach. The results indicate that a range of factors influence the estimated economic values of China’s marine ecosystem services, including ecosystem area, ecosystem type, respondent identity, regional gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, ecosystem services being valued, valuation method, and hypothetical scenario being employed. Additionally, the meta-regression results indicate that the willingness to pay for marine ecosystem services in China depends largely on people’s perception of the importance of an ecosystem service. Such a perception is influenced by national policies, educational attainment, and the degree to which the service is linked to people’s lives. This situation is evidenced by the high willingness of people to pay for coastal wetlands and recreational services. People were also found to be most willing to pay for conservation scenarios and least willing to pay for environmental compensation scenarios. These findings contribute to the research on the valuation of marine ecosystem services in China and to the incorporation of research results into ecosystem-based management decisions by clarifying the effects of different factors on valuation estimates.

Demand-Led Optimization of Urban Park Services

As the demand for cultural and recreational services grows, the mismatch between the supply and demand of park services significantly affects residents’ well-being. Optimizing the spatial layout of park services is a focal point of urban park and green space research. Taking Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, as a case study, this research analyzes the spatial patterns and balance of park service supply and demand. Utilizing the Grey Wolf Optimization Model optimized by the K-Nearest Neighbor Model (GWO-KNN), this study proposes construction objectives for optimizing park services. The results indicate the following: (1) significant differences exist in the park service demands of residents in different residential environments; (2) there is a noticeable spatial disparity in park service supply among various residential areas with an overall positive correlation between park service supply levels and resident demands, yet an imbalance exists; (3) this study categorizes spatial types into low-service coordination, high-service coordination, low-service imbalance, and high-service imbalance; (4) the GWO-KNN Model is applied with optimization objectives being the innovative aspect of this study. Strategies for each park category are proposed: emphasizing suburban park construction by utilizing surrounding green resources and adding diverse facilities; introducing facilities friendly to vulnerable groups to meet the needs of diverse populations; enhancing the complementary advantages between “new” and “old” cities by moderately increasing park sizes and improving cultural and facility development levels; optimizing spatial structure with limited land resources to construct an urban park network system. This study aims to provide theoretical and technical support for optimizing urban park and green space systems.

Supply-demand bundles and ecological function management of urban ecosystem services: Taking central urban area of Qiqihar as an example

The comprehensive management of multiple ecosystem services is the focus of current research in the field of ecosystem service. The ecological space in the central urban area is scarce, but ecological needs are diverse. How to scientifically use urban land while considering various ecological functions has gradually become an academic hotspot. Taking the central urban area of Qiqihar as an example, we applied the ecosystem service bundle theory to analyze the supply and demand relationship of five ecosystem services in the study area, including flood regulation, air purification, carbon storage and sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and cultural recreation. Based on the supply-demand ratio, we identified the supply-demand bundles of ecosystem services in the study area, completed the division of ecological functional areas, and proposed corresponding spatial control strategies. The results showed that the supply of those five services presented a spatial pattern of low in the city center and south side, while high in the northwest and southeast side, and that the demand for those five services presented a spatial pattern of high in the city center and low around the city. Air purification, biodiversity conservation, and cultural recreation ser-vices were in short supply, with a supply-demand ratio of -0.160, -0.071, and -0.008, respectively. The supply to demand ratios of flood regulation and carbon storage and sequestration services were in excess, with a supply to demand ratio of 0.089 and 0.008, respectively. The spatial imbalance between supply and demand of various services was significant. The research area could be divided into six types of ecosystem service bundles. After comprehensive analysis, the research area would be further divided into four types of zones: urban ecological restoration zone, urban ecological strengthening zone, urban development transition zone, and urban ecological conservation zone. We proposed targeted functional optimization strategies based on the spatial relationship, ecological background characteristics, and supply and demand ratios of various services within the zone.

Spatial drivers of ecosystem services supply-demand balances in the Nanjing metropolitan area, China

Ecosystem services (ESs) are the foundation of human well-being. Previous studies have paid limited attention to the interactions among several factors that influence the balance of ESs supply and demand at the grid scale. This study focused on four ESs–water yield (WY), grain yield (GY), carbon storage (CS), and recreational services (RS)–and examined their supply and demand in the Nanjing Metropolitan Area (NMA) in 2000, 2010, and 2020 at the pixel level. Our primary objective was to pinpoint regions characterised by imbalances in ESs supply and demand. In addition, we aimed to explore the interactions among the key elements that contribute to these imbalances. The Geodetector model (GD) was employed to elucidate the 14 distinct primary driving factors influencing the ESs supply-demand balance and their interactions. Our results showed that imbalances in WY and CS supply-demand were predominantly identified in the northern and southern regions of the Yangtze River Basin and certain urban centres. Imbalances in GY were occasionally found in the peripheral areas of cities. The spatial patterns of RS supply-demand imbalances resembled population patterns. The interaction between annual runoff depth and the proportion of built-up land (PB) had the highest explanatory power for changes in the WY supply-demand balance at 54%. The interaction between population density (POP) and the proportion of cultivated land (PC) had the highest explanatory power for the GY supply-demand balance at 29%. The interaction between the proportion of forest land (PF) and average annual ground temperature had the highest explanatory power for the CS supply-demand balance at 67%. The combined effect of PB and Net primary productivity had the highest explanatory power for the RS supply-demand balance at 41%. Overall, this study demonstrated the spatial heterogeneity of ESs at a finer scale than at the county level. This is important for the effective conservation and sound management of ESs. These findings provide decision-makers with insights into regulating regional ecosystem factors and improving local ecological environments based on local conditions.

Mobile phone data reveals spatiotemporal recreational patterns in conservation areas during the COVID pandemic

Understanding visitation patterns is crucial in developing effective conservation strategies for protected areas, as it serves as an indicator for operating an ecosystem management plan that balances biodiversity and ecosystem services intertwined with public health and social benefits. However, limited data availability during the COVID-19 pandemic has hindered the comprehensive understanding of temporal changes in realized cultural ecosystem services, particularly in recreational activities within these areas. Our study utilized GPS data from mobile phones to quantify visitor characteristics and their contribution to recreational ecosystem services in protected areas at a national scale during the COVID-19 pandemic. We estimated the pandemic's relative impact on visitor patterns at 98 visitor centers in national parks and Ramsar sites in Japan. The total number of visitors and travel distance in various sizes of protected areas decreased after the outbreak of COVID-19. The number of visitors in the protected areas displayed a quick recovery despite the increasing positive COVID-19 cases during the following summer. Post-pandemic, visitors showed a preference for less densely populated protected areas closer to their home range. Our findings partly suggest that protecting a diverse range of conservation areas along the urban gradient could be an effective strategy for maintaining the resilience of recreational services during a prolonged pandemic.

Landscape Health Assessment of Suburban Forest Park: A Case Study Based on Multiple Sampling Units and Functional Characteristics

Assessing the landscape health of suburban forest parks is a prerequisite for achieving the dual objectives of forest resource conservation and recreational services. However, studies that analyze landscape health in suburban forest parks at a landscape scale by subdividing the landscape into multiple sampling units and adopting a multi-functional perspective have been limited. This study focuses on Xiqiao Mountain National Forest Park and establishes a landscape classification system and indices, taking into account its multifunctionalities. The study employs the entropy weight method to determine indicator weights and utilizes grid analysis and spatial interpolation to analyze the spatial distribution of landscape health under multiple sampling units and functionalities, along with the differences in its impact and influencing factors. The results indicate that: (1) regions with “very poor” and “poor” landscape health grades under multiple sampling units and functionalities exhibited a sheet-like distribution pattern, covering approximately 69.46% to 98.86% of the total area. In contrast, regions with “very good” and “good” grades are primarily located in block-like or linear patterns in the northern, central, and southern regions of the park, accounting for approximately 1.07% to 17.20% of the total area. (2) The area ratios of “very good” and “good” landscape health grades for recreational landscapes under varying sampling units were consistently higher than those of the same grades for eco-conservational landscapes, with a 5.03%–15.43% difference. This suggests a greater emphasis on recreational functionality. (3) The impact of three different sampling unit sizes on the landscape health of Xiqiao Mountain National Forest Park under multifunctionalities is not significantly different; however, the forest/non-forest area ratio and quantity ratio are vital factors influencing its landscape health. The landscape health assessment results, considering multiple sampling units and functionalities in this study, serve to provide technical method support and practical case references for the planning, construction, and management decision-making of suburban forest parks.

Comparison Between Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and the Leisure Ability Model: Theory to Practice

This practice perspective looks at the connection between the Leisure Ability Model with an addition of a proposed category of spirituality and service to others (LAM-SS) and a lesser-known version of Maslow’s New Hierarchy of Needs-6th Level Approach that adds self-transcendence (MHN-6). Further, we draw parallels between MHN-6 and LAM-SS and illustrate the relationship with a sample application of this method for Therapeutic Recreation (TR) service delivery. Both MHN-6 and LAM-SS ascribe to the movement of an individual towards the intrinsic motivation that TRs can guide as part of treatment for patients and clients in our care. These findings may serve as a guide for TR practitioners to apply in their practice, facilitating both client and practitioner’s spiritual needs.

Spatial pattern and driving factors of cropland ecosystem services in a major grain-producing region: A production-living-ecology perspective

Exploring the spatial patterns and driving factors of cropland ecosystem services and the production-living-ecology are essential to implementing spatial zoning management and optimization, especially in major grain-producing regions. In this study, we first developed an evaluation system for evaluating the production-living-ecology of cropland ecosystem services in the Jianghan Plain (JHP). We then revealed the spatial patterns of various cropland ecosystem services and integrated production-living-ecology index based on multi-source data. Additionally, we employed the regionalization with dynamically constrained agglomerative clustering and partitioning algorithm (REDCAP) to delineate agricultural function zones. Finally, we used redundancy analysis to reveal the driving factors of each functional zone. Results indicated that (1) high habitat quality, soil retention, and carbon storage services exhibited spatial similarity in 2020, with the spatial pattern of high in the west and low in the east, water conservation services showed an opposite distribution pattern, while culture and recreation services of high value were concentrated in the northern part, and high grain production was observed in the southern region. Overall, the production-living-ecology index displayed a north–south spatial distribution, with higher values in the north and lower values in the south. (2) based on the spatial zoning results of the production-living-ecology index, the six functional zones were identified, including zones of the production cropland, ecology cropland, ecology and living cropland, production and ecology cropland, production and living cropland and production-living-ecology cropland. (3) the production-living-ecology index and various ecosystem services were mainly influenced by population density, night light and evaporation in the JHP, and trade-offs were observed between the production function, and other functions as well as the production-living-ecology index in each functional zone of cropland ecosystems. The findings hold significant implications for the sustainable development of major grain-producing regions.

Testing ecosystem accounting in northern China – a case study of SEEA EA in Liaoning Province

The establishment of ecosystem accounts helps to promote and practice sustainable development. In China, the establishment of ecosystem accounts based on the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting–Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA EA) facilitates government decision-making regarding the ecological transformation of economic and social development. There have been attempts to develop ecosystem accounts in some southern Chinese provinces and cities, but little has been done to develop an ecosystem account for northern China. This study examined the potential and challenges of constructing ecosystem accounts in methods and policies in northern China and promoted the practice of EA accounts by constructing ecosystem extent, condition, ecosystem services supply and use accounts, and biodiversity accounts in Liaoning Province. The testing accounts cover provisioning, water supply, air filtration, water purification, global climate regulation (carbon storage), soil erosion management, and recreation services in 2019. The results show that due to the difference in climate between northern and southern China, there is no accounting for temperature regulation and flood regulation services, but water supply services are considered; Policy, demographic, and socioeconomic factors affect the extent and condition of ecosystems. This study illustrates how ecosystem accounts can contribute to policy and decision-making, foster sustainable development, and inform the application of ecosystem accounts in northern China and other countries and regions. In this paper, we identify difficulties, including data availability and quality, that limit the integration of ecosystem accounting into policy. Future research is suggested to address these gaps and facilitate the implementation of ecosystem accounting.

Facilitating rural access to quality health information through Little Free Libraries

Background: In 2020 the Health Science Center Libraries (HSCL) at the University of Florida collaborated with the Okeechobee County Public library (OCPL) on their plan to install Little Free Libraries (LFLs) within their community. It was agreed that the HSCL would provide consumer health-related materials for the Little Free Libraries and training with the goal of improving health literacy, precision medicine, and increasing rural access to consumer health materials and services. Case Presentation: Using census data, the County Health Improvement Plan, and OCPL circulation data the team identified minority population groups, potential accessibility issues, and local consumer health information needs and barriers to select appropriate resources. Additionally, partnerships were created with the local Health Department, Parks and Recreation services, the Rotary Club, and other local organizations to make the project a success. A total of 424 books were selected for the LFLs and 40 unique online resources were selected, printed, and shipped to OCPL to be used during LFL reference sessions. Technology was purchased to assist OCPL with their planned community health reference outreach sessions. HSCL created and provided online training on facilitating consumer health outreach, conducting health information reference services, and promoting community engagement for OCPL. Discussion: LFLs have become an important resource for lower-income rural families in Okeechobee. There are 7 LFLs in Okeechobee County, with a goal of eventually establishing 15 total to provide vital health resources and books. Over 2,456 items have been circulated among the 7 LFLs since May 2020. Overall, the project has been successful with positive feedback received from the community and with OCPL planning to continue to expand the project.