UVM Theses and Dissertations
Format:
Print
Author:
Goonan, Kelly Ann
Dept./Program:
Natural Resources
Year:
2010
Degree:
MS
Abstract:
Outdoor recreation/tourism is an important and traditional use of the Northern Forest, adding to the quality of life of both residents and visitors. The mountains that are distributed throughout this region are highly valued for the wide range of recreation opportunities they provide. However these highly valued recreation resources are also of high ecological value. Many of these summits harbor habitat for rare plant and wildlife species. The ecosystems that mountain summits support are highly vulnerable to damage caused by recreational use. Degraded resources, along with unfavorable social and managerial conditions, could also potentially threaten the quality of the recreation experience on mountain summits. The challenge, therefore, is providing for high quality recreation opportunities and experiences while protecting fragile and valuable natural resources.
To help guide management of recreation/tourism on mountain summits in the Northern Forest, a program of research was conducted in the summer and fall of 2008 to identify indicators and standards of quality for the visitor experience and resource conditions. Three summits representing a spectrum of recreation opportunities were selected and included in this study: Cadillac Mountain in Maine, Camel's Hump in Vermont, and Cascade in New York. The challenges discussed above are exemplified on all of these summits. A visitor survey incorporating normative theory and methods was administered to a representative sample of visitors at each site. Findings from the questionnaire identified important indicators of quality, as well as the social, resource, and management conditions that visitors find minimally acceptable.
An assessment of current resource conditions was also conducted on each summit to quantify the relative percent cover of vegetation, lichens, exposed soil, and bare bedrock. This was· also supported by an assessment of the extent and condition of all summit trails. Current conditions were evaluated within the context of visitor standards derived from the questionnaire. Study findings show statistically significant differences in the condition of resources among summits, as well as in visitors' evaluations of the acceptability of various conditions.
To help guide management of recreation/tourism on mountain summits in the Northern Forest, a program of research was conducted in the summer and fall of 2008 to identify indicators and standards of quality for the visitor experience and resource conditions. Three summits representing a spectrum of recreation opportunities were selected and included in this study: Cadillac Mountain in Maine, Camel's Hump in Vermont, and Cascade in New York. The challenges discussed above are exemplified on all of these summits. A visitor survey incorporating normative theory and methods was administered to a representative sample of visitors at each site. Findings from the questionnaire identified important indicators of quality, as well as the social, resource, and management conditions that visitors find minimally acceptable.
An assessment of current resource conditions was also conducted on each summit to quantify the relative percent cover of vegetation, lichens, exposed soil, and bare bedrock. This was· also supported by an assessment of the extent and condition of all summit trails. Current conditions were evaluated within the context of visitor standards derived from the questionnaire. Study findings show statistically significant differences in the condition of resources among summits, as well as in visitors' evaluations of the acceptability of various conditions.