Identifying Spatial Metrics to Evaluate the Influence of Recreational Impacts on Ecosystems in Mount Rainier National Park
Project ID: J8W07110029
Federal Agency: National Park Service
Partner Institution: University of Washington
Fiscal Year: 2011
Initial Funding: $24,848
Total Funding: $24,848
Project Type: Research
Project Disciplines: Interdisciplinary
National Park: Mount Rainier National Park
Principal Investigator: Alberti, Marina
Agreement Technical Representative: Rochefort, Regina
Abstract: Parks are directed to regulate the use of national parks while preserving natural processes and ecosystems for future generations in such a manner that leaves them unimpaired. Social trails and campsites are two obvious signs of recreational use that are frequently recorded to document recreational use on park ecosystems. The goal of this project is to identify metrics to evaluate the distribution of social trails and campsites on ecosystems within Mount Rainier National Park (MORA). This project will build on pilot studies previously conducted in MORA and Yosemite National Park. Spatial evaluation of these indicators will provide resource managers at MORA the ability to develop an index of ecological integrity as “early warning” signs of unacceptable ecosystem change. This project requires substantial involvement by NPS because application of this field of landscape analysis to recreational impacts is novel and requires site-specific knowledge to analyze these spatial landscape patterns for management application. Thus, three fields of expertise (resource management, local ecology, and spatial analysis) are required for a successful study, and the UW and NPS will contribute their respective expertise in this collaboration. The public purpose of this project is to develop “early warning” indicators of resource conditions to facilitate the NPS responsibility of protection of natural resources in an unimpaired conditions for the use and enjoyment of future generations. The final report will be shared with the public through public outreach.
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