Monitoring Impacts at Backcountry Campsites and Shelters at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Klein JM and Burde JH. 1991. Monitoring Impacts at Backcountry Campsites and Shelters at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Pages 29-36. In Proceedings 1990 Southeastern Recreation Research Conference Volume 12. Asheville, North Carolina. February 14-16, 1990
ABSTRACT: Backcountry camping and hiking have become increasingly popular in the last 20 years. This cumulative use has caused both physical and social impacts on trails and campsites. According to Cole (1983), "wilderness use affects trails, meadows and lakeshores but impacts are usually most pronounced on campsites." Because campsites receive a high concentration of use, they need to be measured periodically to assess the changes that are occurring. Monitoring changes that occur in the backcountry is necessary in order to determine at what point impacts become a problem for managers and users. It is also necessary in determining at what point management should intervene, and what alternative management strategies might follow. An organized backcountry management plan that has specific objectives and standards will serve as a basis for these management decisions.
- Type
- Conference Proceeding Paper
- Authors
- Klein, Jeanne; Burde, John
- Date of Issue
- 1991
- Units
- GRSM
- Keywords
- APHN, Appalachian Highlands Network, Backcountry, Campsites, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, GRSM, Impacts, Management, recreation, SER, social science, Southeast Region