Economic Effects of Projected Climate Change on Outdoor Recreation in Tennessee
Hodges DG, Fogel J, Dale VH, Lannom KO, Tharp ML. 2010. Economic Effects of Projected Climate Change on Outdoor Recreation in Tennessee. Pages 17-32. In Gan J, Grado S, Munn IA (ed). Global Change and Forestry: Economic and Policy Impacts and Responses. Nova Science Publishers. 978-1-60876-262-0
Climate change projections from three General Circulation Models were used to adjust the temperature and precipitation in 2030 and 2080 in each of five ecological provinces in Tennessee to estimate the direct economic effects of the projected changes on recreation using the Tourism Climatic Index. The indirect effects on recreation were evaluated qualitatively, based on current demand for the unique values associated with current conditions. The results of the direct impact evaluation reveal that climate change will have variable effects on recreational activities in Tennessee. The magnitude and direction of the effects vary by the recreational activity involved, patterns of precipitation and temperature regimes, and specific location in Tennessee. Recreational activities such as rock climbing, winter activities independent of snow, and whitewater boating are likely to benefit from projected climate changes due to increased temperatures in the winter months. Summer-based activities such as lake recreation and camping are likely to decline with increasing seasonal temperatures. The indirect effects of climate change on recreation are likely to have a larger effect than the direct impacts of climatic variables.
- Type
- Book Chapter
- Authors
- Hodges, Donald; Fogel, Jonah; Dale, Virginia; Lannom, Karen; Tharp, M
- Units
- BISO , GRSM , OBRI
- Keywords
- APHN, Appalachian Highlands Network, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, BISO, Climate Change, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, GRSM, Outdoor Recreation, SER, Southeast Region, Tourism climatic index
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Human Use | Visitor and Recreation Use | Visitor Use