Behavioral Adaptations to Crowding Disturbance: Evidence from Nature Reserves in Israel

Abstract

Crowding in natural settings such as nature reserves may lead to both long-and short-term spatial and temporal behavioral adjustments. This study analyzes the short-term coping process as a function of the crowding disturbance in two popular nature reserves in Israel. Using binary and multinomial choice models, a direct robust connection between the crowding disturbance and a hierarchical set of behavioral responses was found. People less sensitive to crowding tried to avoid or reduce the length of the contact by changing pace. More sensitive visitors may change route. Finally, visitors most sensitive to crowding may terminate their visit altogether.

Keywords:

• Coping behavior
• crowding disturbance
• nature reserves
• recreation
• displacement

Notes

^a Significant at p < .10 level.

^a Significant at p < .05 level.

^c The omitted value for this dummy variable is “the large number of encounters” (Table 2, Table 3 and Table 4).

^a Significant at p < .10 level.

^b Significant at p < .05 level.

^a significant at p < .10 level.

^b significant at p < .05 level.