University Presentation Showcase: Graduate Poster Gallery
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Creation Date
Spring 2022
Major
Recreation and Park Administration
Department
Recreation and Park Administration
Degree
Graduate
Mentor
Brian G. Clark
Mentor Department
Recreation and Park Administration
Abstract
use of natural areas also leads to an increased impact on them (Monz et al. 2013). As a society, we have become more conscientious of the effects our actions and activities have on the environment, and recreational activities are no exception to this. This creates a negative cycle, however, as heavy use will deteriorate the quality of an area and in turn, negatively affect the appeal of recreation for said area. Thus, these two aspects are directly correlated with each other, a relationship that could be seen as a give and take. The protection of our natural areas and wildlife is of vital importance, especially for sensitive areas or species. At the same time, the economic aspects and tourism of these areas cannot be understated or forgotten from the discussion. Recreation ecology serves to understand how recreation interacts with and affects the natural world and the species that call it home. Through this field of study, professionals better understand the relationship between conservation and recreation in order to create ways to balance the needs of both. This study will look at how this relationship is handled in the Red River Gorge as well as future considerations.
Monz, C. A., Pickering, C. M., & Hadwen, W. L. (2013). Recent advances in recreation ecology and the implications of different relationships between recreation use and ecological impacts. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 11(8), 441–446. https://doi.org/10.1890/120358
