The relationship between biophysical and social setting factors in the recreation opportunity spectrum

Abstract

Descriptions of the relationships between the setting components (biophysical and social) of the recreation opportunity spectrum can be taken to be unidimensional and linear. Data on biophysical and social setting preferences of campers were used to test whether campers’ preferences reflect linear arrangements of components or whether relationships are more complex. The results indicate that there are multiple linear and nonlinear relationships between biophysical and social setting conditions. This finding has important implications for the application of ROS as an inventory, allocation, and management system. Future research on experience‐setting relationships should consider the multiple relationships between setting components.

Keywords:

• recreation opportunity spectrum
• biophysical setting
• social setting
• linearity
• developed campgrounds
• Australia