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Research to Inform the Management of Protected Natural Areas

Carr, Christopher
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1415615423

Abstract Details

2014, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Arts and Sciences: Geography.
This dissertation reports on research to inform the management of protected natural areas employing three cases of human impacts to the natural environment: distance decay in campsite impact, the effect of recreation on cliff vegetation, and converting paper maps of an archaeological site to electronic format. In the campsite impact study, we used distance decay theory to examine the environmental impact at 774 campsites in three management areas in a U.S. National Forest (Daniel Boone) with an at-large camping policy. We found differences in the distance decay parameters (R-square, slope, intercept) between the three management areas that are consistent with the different management strategies for the areas. Distance decay theory provides tools for managers to predict and control impact and to evaluate the effectiveness of strategies. In the cliff vegetation study, we measured vegetation, recreation, and physical parameters in a random sample of 74 quadrats distributed over the entire rocky area of a U.S. National Park (Great Falls) in order to predict the impact of recreation on cliff and rocky area vegetation. We used statistical modeling to predict the vegetation cover prior to recreation. We found the 7.0% plant cover with the present mix of recreation would increase to 8.5% if recreation were eliminated. We found that 55% of the area has no recreation impact, providing undisturbed habitat for plants. In the mapping project, we sought to enhance management and research at the archaeological site of Tikal National Park, Guatemala, by georeferencing and converting to electronic form a set of paper maps published in 1961. We georeferenced the maps using a single GPS location and a set of transformation equations. Based on 96 horizontal and 103 vertical test points distributed throughout the area of the maps, we found the median accuracy of the maps to be 5.6 m horizontally and 2.1 m vertically. We discuss strategies the mapping project used to produce these maps under very difficult conditions in the tropical forest. The wealth of information contained in the maps is now publicly available in electronic format for use with GIS software.
Nicholas Dunning, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Jeffrey Marion, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Kenneth Hinkel, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Kevin Raleigh, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
391 p.
Geography
distance decay; rock climbing impact; Tikal National Park; recreation ecology; Red River Gorge; Great Falls Park

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Carr, C. (2014). Research to Inform the Management of Protected Natural Areas [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1415615423

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Carr, Christopher. Research to Inform the Management of Protected Natural Areas. 2014. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1415615423.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Carr, Christopher. "Research to Inform the Management of Protected Natural Areas." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1415615423

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1415615423
351
© 2014, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.