Understanding visitors’ spatial behavior: a review of spatial applications in parks

Abstract

The integration of spatial concepts with social science data in natural resource management has progressed rapidly over the past 15 years. There is now a foundational understanding, and supporting empirical work, that recreational use at parks and protected areas (PPAs) is a spatially conditioned process. To better understand visitor’s spatial behavior, we present an updated review of the incorporation of space into human dimensions of natural resources research; what it has illuminated about human behavior, human values, and PPA management; how spatially related social science data are being integrated with other resource issues; and identify knowledge gaps and propose future directions for research. Overall, our review suggests that the examination of spatially related social science data are only in their infancy because of rapidly evolving technology which continues to advance the value of this type of research. Additionally, the geographic scope of studies often determines the applicability of the findings. For example, participatory mapping methods are typically used for macro-level PPA management applications such as infrastructure planning while visitor data logging are often used for more localized visitor management applications. Therefore, one significant advancement over the past five years has been the incorporation of multiple methods in single studies.

摘要

在过去15年中, 空间概念与自然资源管理中的社会科学数据的整合取得了快速地进展。现在有一个基本的认识, 并且有实证工作支持, 即在公园和保护区(PPAs)的娱乐利用是一个受空间制约的过程。为了更好地理解游客的空间行为, 我们提供了一个更新版的文献综述, 将空间纳入自然资源研究的人类维度研究之中。该综述阐述了人类行为、人类价值观和公园及保护地管理；空间相关的社会科学数据如何与其他资源问题进行整合；该综述识别了知识缺口, 并提出未来的研究方向。总的来说, 我们的综述表明, 对空间相关社会科学数据的研究还处于起步阶段, 这是因为快速发展的技术不断提升了这类研究的价值。此外, 研究的地理范围常常决定了研究结果的适用性。例如, 参与式绘图方法通常用于基础设施规划等宏观尺度的公园及保护地管理, 而访问者记录数据通常用于更小范围的游客管理领域。因此, 在过去的五年里, 一个重要的进步是将多种方法结合到单个的研究中。

Keywords:

• Parks
• protected areas
• visitor behavior
• spatial analysis
• GIS
• GPS
• PPGIS

关键词:

• 公园
• 保护区
• 游客行为
• 空间分析
• GIS （地理信息系统）
• GPS（全球定位系统）
• PPGIS（公众参与式地理信息系统）

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Geoffrey K. Riungu is a Lecturer in the School of Community Resources and Development at Arizona State University. Geoffrey’s research focuses on visitor distributions using GPS and social media platforms in parks and tourism destinations, and recreational boating management.

Brian A. Peterson is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management at Clemson University. His research interests focus on GIS analyses of visitor use of management of parks and protected areas.

J. Adam Beeco is a Social Scientist and Overflight Planner for the National Park Service - Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division. His research focuses on the use of GPS surveys of visitor/tourist distributions, natural sounds and night skies, and wilderness planning.

Greg Brown is Professor and Department Head for the Department of Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences, California Polytechnic State University. Greg does research in participatory mapping, applied geography, and quantitative social research.