9 posts · 6,947 views
I am a graduate student in natural resources at Utah State University. My research focuses on ecological impacts resulting from recreation and sociological implications of those impacts. I am fond of baked goods and knitting as well as any activity that takes place outdoors.
The Average Visitor
9 posts
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- April 6, 2013
- 09:07 PM
- 106 views
What triggers visitors to leave the designated trail?
by Ashley D in The Average Visitor
It’s spring in Utah! I can still see snow in the mountains but my yard is looking lush and green. I am enjoying the rain while I can; I know that once summer rolls around these steady rain storms will … Continue reading →... Read more »
Coppes, J., & Braunisch, V. (2013) Managing visitors in nature areas: where do they leave the trails? A spatial model. Wildlife Biology, 19(1), 1-11. DOI: 10.2981/12-054
- November 5, 2012
- 10:53 PM
- 141 views
Recreation Ecology Around the World: Part 1 – East Asia
by Ashley D in The Average Visitor
Yep, I have not posted in over a month. Whoops! I feel like this is my busiest semester to date and what little free time I have has been devoted to trying to finish the A Song of Ice and Fire … Continue reading →... Read more »
Leung, Y. (2012) Recreation ecology research in East Asia's protected areas: Redefining impacts?. Journal for Nature Conservation, 20(6), 349-356. DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2012.07.005
- June 13, 2012
- 05:21 PM
- 328 views
Does off-trail hiking affect elk?
by Ashley D in The Average Visitor
Much of the work that I do is concerned about the impacts of off-trail hiking. Specifically, I am most interested in impacts to vegetation and soil. However, when visitors leave the designated trail they have the potential to impact more … Continue reading →... Read more »
B.H. Becker, C.M. Moi, T.J. Maguire, R. Atkinson, & N.B. Gates. (2012) Effects of hikers and boats on tule elk behavior in a national park wilderness area. Human-Wildlife Interactions, 6(1). info:/
- April 9, 2012
- 07:51 PM
- 466 views
Can Hiking Trail Disturbance Benefit Rare Species?
by Ashley D in The Average Visitor
Now that I have been trained in recreation ecology, I am super sensitive to people hiking off-trail . Hiking with me can be no fun; if I see so much as a boot toe slip off the designated trail and hit … Continue reading →... Read more »
Paul M. Catling, & Brenda Kostiuk. (2012) Come Wild Canadian Orchids Benefit from Woodland Hiking Trails - and the Implications. The Canadian Field-Naturalist. info:/
- February 15, 2012
- 01:15 PM
- 571 views
Does mountain biking always cause more impact?
by Ashley D in The Average Visitor
Mountain biking is generally considered a recreational activity that causes more impact to the environment than non-mechanized activities like hiking. Mountain biking has become a very popular outdoor recreation activity in the United States and it’s popularity is increasing across the globe as well. … Continue reading →... Read more »
Pickering CM, Rossi S, & Barros A. (2011) Assessing the impacts of mountain biking and hiking on subalpine grassland in Australia using an experimental protocol. Journal of environmental management, 92(12), 3049-57. PMID: 21856066
- December 13, 2011
- 01:32 PM
- 3,122 views
Ignored Invertebrates
by Ashley D in The Average Visitor
Most recreation ecology studies focus their efforts on how recreation may impact vertebrates or, most often, plants. Up until now, invertebrates were pretty much ignored in the field. However, the latest issue of Entomological Review contains an article by two Russian … Continue reading →... Read more »
V.F. Khabibullin, & A.F. Khabibullin. (2011) Mechanical Aspect of Recreation Load and Defensive Behavioral Strategies in Grass-Dwelling Insects . Entomological Review, 91(8). info:/
- October 31, 2011
- 03:03 PM
- 594 views
Are women “afraid” to give birth on Halloween?
by Ashley D in The Average Visitor
Happy Halloween! Halloween is associated with ghouls, death, witches, zombies, and all sorts of other “negative” images. Although most Americans enjoy celebrating Halloween, it has a stereotype of being the creepiest and darkest of US holidays. One might say that Valentine’s Day … Continue reading →... Read more »
Levy BR, Chung PH, & Slade MD. (2011) Influence of Valentine's Day and Halloween on Birth Timing. Social science , 73(8), 1246-8. PMID: 21880409
- October 18, 2011
- 09:30 AM
- 784 views
Does technology make people take more risks in wilderness?
by Ashley D in The Average Visitor
Technology in wilderness areas is increasing. Does having technology influence how people perceive risk and rescue while recreating in the wilderness?... Read more »
Kristen Pope, & Steven R. Martin. (2011) Visitor Perceptions of Technology, Risk, and Rescue in Wilderness. International Journal of Wilderness, 17(2). info:/
- October 6, 2011
- 12:27 AM
- 835 views
Does recreation impact birds?
by Ashley D in The Average Visitor
The impacts of non-motorized recreation on wildlife is a topic that is grossly understudied in the field of recreation ecology. However, of all wildlife species that can be influenced by non-motorized recreational activities, the most studied group (which is not saying … Continue reading →... Read more »
Steven, R., Pickering, C., & Guy Castley, J. (2011) A review of the impacts of nature based recreation on birds. Journal of Environmental Management, 92(10), 2287-2294. DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2011.05.005
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