Visitor Monitoring Research Articles

Advantages and Limitations of Using Mobile Apps for Protected Area Monitoring and Management

Digital technologies, including participatory Internet mapping, social media and smartphones, provide new avenues for research in outdoor recreation and tourism. The potential to reach a greater audience and collect visitation data on a broader scale, with less costs than traditional paper surveys, are key advantages that have increased the use of these novel technologies. Using of mobile apps for data collection is still at the experimental stage. We evaluate previous attempts to use apps for monitoring recreation and tourism in protected areas, as an alternative to other in situ or online methods. We present a pilot study implemented in Jotunheimen National Park (Norway), where we developed a mobile app for visitor monitoring and real-time mapping of values and experiences. We present the lessons learned, give suggestions on how and for what apps can be used, and discuss the advantages and limitations of using smartphones for visitor monitoring in protected areas.

Visitor monitoring in protected areas: an approach to Natura 2000 sites using Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI)

ABSTRACTThis paper analyses visitor monitoring and the public use of protected areas using volunteered geographic information (VGI) as a source of big data and, as the object of study, the Ebro Delta Natura 2000 site (west Mediterranean basin). Over 5,000 voluntarily recorded tracks spread over 10 years have been analysed, showing a predominance of cycling activities on trails of up to 50 km in length. Using cluster analysis and a hotspot approach, we found that the highest intensities of use are concentrated in less than 1% of the area studied, while a high dispersion of track start/finish points suggests low but scattered pressure all over the site. Spatial analysis reveals a number of spatial interactions, including the use of official trails, trespassing on reserves and potential nuisance to birdlife. This information is useful for site managers and helps them design sustainable practices. By applying the same analysis using VGI and data mining to other Natura 2000 sites, comparisons can be made and thus provide valuable assessment regarding visitor monitoring and public use patterns for the largest network of protected areas in the world.

Sampling limitations in using tourists’ mobile phones for GPS-based visitor monitoring

This study examined sampling limitations when tourists’ own mobile phones are used for visitor monitoring in a protected area. In Nikko National Park, Japan, we collected GPS tracking information from respondents’ mobile phones and investigated sociodemographic attributes of participants and nonparticipants in the survey. The participation rate for GPS data collection was low (15%). A major reason not to participate was technical unfamiliarity in using their own mobile phones as a tracking tool. Meanwhile, participants were biased toward visitors who were younger, more technology friendly, staying longer, coming from a greater distance, and being first-time or group visitors. A practical challenge for GPS data collection was the diversity of mobile phones. We conclude that further development of user-friendly tracking applications compatible with a wide variety of mobile phones could ease visitors’ technical concerns, make it easier to use GPS tracking, increase participation rates, and reduce data bias.

Using crowd-sourced photos to assess seasonal patterns of visitor use in mountain-protected areas.

Managing protected areas effectively requires information about patterns of visitor use, but these data are often limited. We explore how geotagged photos on Flickr, a popular photo-sharing social-media site, can generate hotspot maps and distribution models of temporal and spatial patterns of use in two mountain-protected areas of high conservation value. In Aconcagua Provincial Park (Argentina), two routes to the summit of Aconcagua were used in summer, but most visitors stayed close to the main road, using formal and informal walking trails and the Visitor Centre, while in winter, there was very limited visitation. In Kosciuszko National Park (Australia), alpine walking trails were popular in summer, but in winter, most visitors stayed in the lower altitude ski resorts and ski trails. Results demonstrate the usefulness of social-media data alone as well as a complement for visitor monitoring, providing spatial and temporal information for site-specific and park-level management of visitors and potential impacts in conservation areas.

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

Instagram, Flickr, or Twitter: Assessing the usability of social media data for visitor monitoring in protected areas

Social media data is increasingly used as a proxy for human activity in different environments, including protected areas, where collecting visitor information is often laborious and expensive, but important for management and marketing. Here, we compared data from Instagram, Twitter and Flickr, and assessed systematically how park popularity and temporal visitor counts derived from social media data perform against high-precision visitor statistics in 56 national parks in Finland and South Africa in 2014. We show that social media activity is highly associated with park popularity, and social media-based monthly visitation patterns match relatively well with the official visitor counts. However, there were considerable differences between platforms as Instagram clearly outperformed Twitter and Flickr. Furthermore, we show that social media data tend to perform better in more visited parks, and should always be used with caution. Based on stakeholder discussions we identified potential reasons why social media data and visitor statistics might not match: the geography and profile of the park, the visitor profile, and sudden events. Overall the results are encouraging in broader terms: Over 60% of the national parks globally have Twitter or Instagram activity, which could potentially inform global nature conservation.

Current knowledge and future research directions for the monitoring and management of visitors in recreational and protected areas

Visitation to recreation and protected areas is increasing globally and in many regions, including Europe, so is research on visitation. But who, where, what and how is the research done and what are the trends and key research gaps? The systematic quantitative review of 758 oral abstracts from the first seven conferences on Monitoring and Management of Visitors in Recreation and Protected Areas answers research questions on methods, goals and locations presented in the last decade as well as discussing trends and recommendations for the future. These major multi-disciplinary conferences are held every two years in different countries in Europe. Most (72%) of the research was from Europe, predominantly from countries where English is not the dominant language. Nearly every abstract was from terrestrial natural areas, often terrestrial protected areas (56%), with only three marine studies. Most abstracts (85%) were in the social sciences, either assessing visitor profile data along with motivations, satisfaction and experiences or focused on psychological aspects such as the attitudes, perceptions and behavior of visitors. Environmental research (32% abstracts) was mostly on vegetation, wildlife and landscape features with limited research on aquatic systems. Technology is driving research, with the analysis of big data from social media transforming where and how visitors can be monitored. Important gaps remain including research from countries and regions with large protected area systems and high levels of visitation including in Asia, South America and Africa, as well as some countries in Europe such as France. Management implicationsThe article describes the previous trends in this conference series on outdoor recreation. The findings suggest that future conferences could:●enhance the attendance and representation of researchers from parts of Europe so far under represented and different parts of the world such as Asia, the Russian Federation and Africa to make the conference truly international,●strengthen the relevance of the conference for practitioners and managers, and●communicate the value of research, including how new methods and technologies can enhance sustainable decision making.

The Forgotten Islands: Monitoring Tourist Numbers and Managing Tourism Impacts on New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands

Situated to the south of New Zealand in the Southern Ocean are the New Zealand Subantarctic Islands, comprising the Auckland, Campbell, Antipodes, Snares and Bounty Islands. Sometimes referred to as the ‘Forgotten Islands’, these island groups are among the most remote and hostile within New Zealand waters. Yet, as they harbour some of the country’s most unique biodiversity and contain some of the world’s least modified landforms, they were recognized in 1998 with the designation of World Heritage Area status. It is not surprising therefore that the Islands have long appealed to visitors wishing to explore and understand the Islands’ rich natural and cultural environments. Typically, fare-paying tourists arrive by sea in small- to medium-sized expedition-style cruise vessels, although in recent years, the number of small vessels, such as yachts and sail boats, has increased. The most recent Conservation Management Strategy (2016) proposes developing and implementing a visitor monitoring programme to determine the effects of visitors on the natural and cultural environment, as well as on the visitor experience itself. However, there is only piecemeal data published on visitor numbers (especially since the mid-1990s) upon which to base visitor monitoring, and there is only limited evidence regarding the range of possible impacts visitors may have, including direct and indirect impact on wildlife, soils, and vegetation. In order to address this gap in knowledge, this case study draws on stakeholder interviews (n = 4), and a range of secondary sources (including visitor statistics from the Department of Conservation, tour operators and other published works) to provide an overview and update on visitation to the Islands, including site-specific data, an assessment of tourist impacts, and how impacts are currently monitored and managed.

Noninvasive Bluetooth Monitoring of Visitors' Length of Stay at the Louvre

Art Museums traditionally employ observations and surveys to enhance their knowledge of visitors' behavior and experience. However, these approaches often produce spatially and temporally limited empirical evidence and measurements. Only recently has the ubiquity of digital technologies revolutionized the ability to collect data on human behavior. Consequently, the greater availability of large-scale datasets based on quantifying visitors' behavior provides new opportunities to apply computational and comparative analytical techniques. In this paper, we attempt to analyze visitors' behavior in the Louvre Museum from anonymized longitudinal datasets collected from noninvasive Bluetooth sensors. We examine visitors' length of stay in the museum and consider this relationship with occupation density around artwork. This data analysis increases the knowledge and understanding of museum professionals related to the experience of visitors.

Monitoring recreation across European nature areas: A geo-database of visitor counts, a review of literature and a call for a visitor counting reporting standard

Nature recreation and tourism is a substantial ecosystem service of Europe's countryside that has a substantial economic value and contributes considerably to income and employment of local communities. Highlighting the recreational value and economic contribution of nature areas can be used as a strong argument for the funding of protected and recreational areas. The total number of recreational visits of a nature area has been recognised as a major determinant of its economic recreational value and its contribution to local economies. This paper presents an international geo-database on recreational visitor numbers to non-urban ecosystems, containing 1267 observations at 518 separate case study areas throughout Europe. The monitored sites are described by their centroid coordinates and shape files displaying the exact extension of the sites. Therefore, the database illustrates the spatial distribution of visitor counting throughout Europe and can be used for secondary research, such as for validation of spatially explicit recreational ecosystem service models and for identifying relevant drivers of recreational ecosystem services. To develop the database, we review visitor monitoring literature throughout Europe and give an overview of such activities with special attention to visitor counting. We identify one major shortcoming in the available literature, which relates to the presentation, study area definition and methodological reporting of conducted visitor counting studies. Insufficient reporting hampers the identification of the study area, the comparability of different studies and the evaluation of the studies' quality. Based on our findings, we propose a standardised reporting template for visitor counting studies and advanced data sharing for recreational visitor data. Researchers and institutions are invited to report on their visitor counting studies via our web interface at rris.biopama.org/visitor-reporting and thereby contribute to a global visitor database that will be shared via the ESP Visualisation tool. Management implicationsThe total annual visitor number is the most important variable for defining the relative importance and the economic recreational value of different recreational areas. Due to the importance of visitor counting and its increased attention in the scientific literature we:•present a geo-database on recreational visitor statistics for nature areas, which allows identifying sites for which visitor statistics exist and which can be used for secondary research•review current practice in recreational visitor counting across nature areas in Europe and give guidance for future applications,•identify shortcomings in the methodological reporting of recent visitor monitoring and counting studies and•present and recommend reporting standard for all future visitor counting studies in order to improve their comparability and to allow assessing their quality.•The reporting standard is translated into a web interface for visitor data collection, which allows for data sharing via a global map-browser.

User-Generated Geographic Information for Visitor Monitoring in a National Park: A Comparison of Social Media Data and Visitor Survey

Protected area management and marketing require real-time information on visitors’ behavior and preferences. Thus far, visitor information has been collected mostly with repeated visitor surveys. A wealth of content-rich geographic data is produced by users of different social media platforms. These data could potentially provide continuous information about people’s activities and interactions with the environment at different spatial and temporal scales. In this paper, we compare social media data with traditional survey data in order to map people’s activities and preferences using the most popular national park in Finland, Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, as a case study. We compare systematically collected survey data and the content of geotagged social media data and analyze: (i) where do people go within the park; (ii) what are their activities; (iii) when do people visit the park and if there are temporal patterns in their activities; (iv) who the visitors are; (v) why people visit the national park; and (vi) what complementary information from social media can provide in addition to the results from traditional surveys. The comparison of survey and social media data demonstrated that geotagged social media content provides relevant information about visitors’ use of the national park. As social media platforms are a dynamic source of data, they could complement and enrich traditional forms of visitor monitoring by providing more insight on emerging activities, temporal patterns of shared content, and mobility patterns of visitors. Potentially, geotagged social media data could also provide an overview of the spatio-temporal activity patterns in other areas where systematic visitor monitoring is not taking place.

Coupling visitor and wildlife monitoring in protected areas using camera traps

The global rise in nature-based recreation and tourism brings an increasing need for research on visitor activity in protected areas. Understanding the nature, distribution, and intensity of visitor activity can lead to better management of protected areas, potentially improving visitor experience while reducing impacts on the environment. Although passive infrared cameras (i.e., “camera traps”) are now a standard monitoring tool for wildlife researchers, they are less commonly applied by recreation social scientists for visitor monitoring in natural areas. Because study objectives differ between these two applications, protocols for camera placement also vary.In this study we optimized camera traps to quantify human trail-based activity while meeting established wildlife-oriented protocols. The method streamlines the data collection process, thus making visitor monitoring data more accessible. We first determined the wildlife-appropriate camera position optimal for capturing human trail use through a field test, in which we varied the speed of biker movement, camera angle, and distance to the trail. The optimized camera protocol was 1–2m from the trail edge, oriented 20° to the direction of movement, where the target is moving slower than 8 kph. We then experimentally tested this optimized camera protocol in a field setting along an unpaved, multi-use trail typical of many outdoor recreation locations. Two pairs of cameras were set following the optimized protocol while two pairs were set with a randomized protocol as the control. Compared with field observations, optimized camera traps recorded 82% of pedestrians (p<0.05) and 75% of mountain bikers (p>0.05). There was also a difference in performance between camera models, with the best model recording 86% and 97% of pedestrians and bikers, respectively. We conclude that camera traps can accurately quantify human trail-based activity while being set to wildlife science standards, reducing the cost of collecting visitor use data and producing high-resolution human-wildlife interaction data. Management ImplicationsMotion-triggered camera traps can be used to efficiently collect data on humans and wildlife through a single data collection process. Camera traps should be calibrated with field-based observation and positioned according to the following guidelines: located where traffic moves slower than 8 kph, oriented at a shallow angle to the direction of movement, and placed at knee-height on trees within 1-2m of the trail edge. It should be noted that camera traps might under-sample quickly moving visitors such as bicyclists. This cost-effective method can provide long-term data useful for monitoring both human trail-based activity and wildlife presence.

Diel activity, frequency and visit duration of pollinators in focal plants: in situ automatic camera monitoring and data processing

Summary Data collection on interactions between organisms and their environment has traditionally been conducted by on‐site human observations, a time‐consuming enterprise that could explain the shortage of around‐the‐clock observations of free‐ranging wild animals. In this paper, I outline a time‐efficient procedure to collect data on flower‐visiting animals. The objectives were, first, to model diel activity rhythms by using cosine‐based mixed‐effects regression models (cosinor method) on data from an established automatic video monitoring system and, secondly, to test the use of a cheap off‐the‐shelf digital camera modified for automated monitoring of flower visitors. Two different model systems were studied: foraging bumblebees visiting focal white clovers, monitored around‐the‐clock (193 h) to model diel activity; and honeybees visiting thistles, monitored over a shorter period (5 h) to test the applicability and reliability of a new method for monitoring pollinators. The data were automatically entered and processed using R‐scripts after manual filtering of the images, obviating the need for manual data entry prior to analysis. For diel activity in bumblebees, the model that gave the best fit included the 24‐h fundamental period and one harmonic, a 12‐h period to modulate the signal, together with temperature. The bumblebees were exclusive diurnal, with activity starting about 5 h after sunrise, peaking sharply in the afternoon and ending about 1 h before sunset. In addition to time of day, activity also increased with temperature. The off‐the‐shelf digital camera, Canon PowerShot®, with motion detection script, was triggered by every flower‐visiting honeybee. In addition to recorded visitor frequency and visitor duration, it enabled high‐resolution images, which could be important for species identification. Automatic camera recording is advantageous for close‐up monitoring, compared with continuous video recording, because the latter demands more time and effort in reviewing the material. It could be used to study a range of different species such as pollinators, on‐plant behaviour of herbivorous animals, cavity dwellers or cavity breeders. Moreover, the procedures for automatic data entry, data processing and statistical analysis for modelling diel activity rhythms could have great relevance for researchers using other types of camera monitoring systems operating 24 h per day.

Managers' experiences of visitor monitoring in Swedish outdoor recreational areas

Systematically collected information on outdoor recreation participation, motives and behaviors can improve recreation opportunities and reduce the risk of user conflicts. There are many uses of this type of information for managers of recreational areas including analyses of environmental, social and economic impacts, development of infrastructure, and marketing to appropriate audiences. One key component in building this knowledge is the application of visitor monitoring. This study takes an exploratory approach by analyzing managers' experiences on different on-site monitoring methods at 12 recreational areas in Sweden. Results show that knowledge of these methods and their use are strongly linked to individual managers' skills and competence. Contemporary changes in recreation behavior calls for more innovative monitoring approaches, but managers included in this study primarily work with rather traditional methods, which is likely representative of the overall situation in Sweden. Networking, educational programs and closer collaborations with universities could facilitate some of the challenges identified. Management implications●The study showed the relevance of improved visitor monitoring practices, and tailor-made monitoring guidelines, based on actual use and experience-based data.●Adequate visitor monitoring practices:- help to better incorporate recreation activities and values in natural resource management decisions,●increase the awareness of possible conflicts between recreational and other resource users,●show the possible need for increased management capacity, additional training or new ways of visitor management and provide a better foundation for decision making.

Applying visitor monitoring methods in coastal and marine areas – some learnings and critical reflections from Sweden

ABSTRACTThis paper addresses the lack of attention that so far has been given towards the challenges involved in applying visitor monitoring methods in open coastal and marine landscape settings. The topic is still largely overlooked in spite its importance for developing professionalized visitor monitoring procedures for coastal and marine areas. As a response, a monitoring case study from Kosterhavet National Park, Sweden, is introduced with a purpose to test and evaluate different applied visitor monitoring methods in a typical coastal and marine setting and with a special focus on reporting important challenges and experiences in this regard. Results are presented as three lessons that are discussed critically, including specific issues around sampling strategies and representativity of monitoring results, weather conditions in coastal and marine areas, and the need for a mixed-method strategy to acquire accurate results. Methodological contributions mainly concern how these challenges can be addressed and improved with the inclusion of new monitoring strategies based on different technological opportunities. Thoughts on management implications are also included. The paper serves as a central contribution to research discussions on applied visitor monitoring methods in coastal and marine areas as well as an important addition to existing visitor monitoring manuals.

国立公園における利用者モニタリング調査の実態および課題と自然保護官の意識

国立公園における利用者モニタリング調査の実態および課題と自然保護官の意識

A Study on the Management Plan of Hongneung Forest Based on Visitor Monitoring

In 1922, Hongneung forest was established to support the study of Korean forestry. Nowadays the forest also plays a role as urban forest which provides a green space for local people. This paper proposes the better management plan of Hongneung forest based on visitor monitoring. On-site surveys with a structured questionnaire were carried out from August to November in 2014 and total 750 data were analyzed. The survey results are as follows: 1) Visitors were inclusive of all age groups and most of them lived nearby Hongneung forest, 2) Visitors used the forest mainly for recreational purposes and recognized the forest as `Green space` rather than `experimental forest`, 3) Visitors had great satisfaction from the forest visit and raised the necessity of more environment education and promotion of the program. Based on the results, the following solutions have been suggested: 1) Environment education will help visitors to raise awareness on the importance of Hongneung forest which plays a role as both experimental and urban forest, 2) Systematic visitor monitoring can contribute to efficient visitor management and administration of the areas. In conclusion, it is necessary to establish a visitor management system that enable to achieve a harmonization between nature conservation and recreational demands as well as to improve management of natural resource and service.

Standards of quality for outdoor recreation in Tatra National Park: a contribution to integrated visitor monitoring and management

The aim of the study presented in the paper was to determine standards of quality for outdoor recreation in Tatra National Park in Slovakia. A survey was carried out in two nature reserves in the park, Mlynická Valley and Studené Valleys, during the 2012 and 2013 summer seasons. The questionnaire focused on several topics relevant for visitor management. In this paper we present partial results of the survey, focusing on visual simulations for crowding and vegetation loss. Findings from both study areas point towards the need for management action since preferred conditions for both indicators had been exceeded.

Assessment of Visitor Management at the Archaeological Site of Umm Qais: Condition and Problems

Umm Qais is one of the most significant archaeological tourist attractions in Jordan besides Petra and Jerash. It is also popular with locals due to its rich diversity of natural history features and landscapes. However, there has been no detailed study of approaches to visitor management at the site. This paper investigates the visitor management pressures on the site of Umm Qais, seeking to develop an understanding of the approaches that direct the process of visitor management in an archaeological site. The specific objective of this study is to identify and analyse the current visitor management measures and tools at the site. It explores issues of hard and soft visitor management through monitoring, visitor guidance, and interpretation. The study has been conducted as a qualitative case study, and its results are based on direct personal observation and discussions with the personnel that have been conducted on-site by the Jordanian authors.Despite the visitor management applied approaches, results reveal important and continuing challenges for Umm Qais due to limited visitor monitoring, weak information, and poor restriction measures. Based on the findings of the study, some recommendations are made in order to permit the local heritage managers to develop the site and its visitor management appropriately. This is an essential process in aiding this potential World Heritage Site to update approaches and adapt to the changing circumstances related to the visitor needs for the site. This will contribute to heritage and tourism literature and practice by enhancing the knowledge of visitor management at a national level.

IP 기반의 다채널 엘리베이터 영상감시 시스템

Recently, in the elevator of the buildings, such as apartment and office building, the visitor monitoring cameras for surveillance, advertising LCD to provide a variety of information , emergency call devices, and safe driving information sensors are installed. A variety of multimedia data from these devices to the central control office, management office, or to guard room are transmitted in real-time. Each sub-systems in the elevator are installed with a separate lines and operated independently and use different management principals, so integrated management for each sub-systems are very difficult. In this study, we develop a new IP-based multi-channel video surveillance system which is integrated surveillance camera, emergency call devices, communications devices, various sensors in the elevator, DVR, ODM, and can manage all devices by two-way communication and integrated interface. And we evaluated the performance of the developed system.