The global popularity of outdoor recreation and ecotourism is on the increase. At present, there is little systematic information on the management practices that have been successful in National Parks. This book presents the issue of how to manage outdoor recreation in ways that protect the integrity of park resources and the quality of the visitor experience. Using case studies drawn from the U.S. National Park System, it illustrates a range of successful management approaches that can be applied worldwide. It is suitable for graduate and undergraduate students in outdoor recreation and park management practitioners.

Global temperatures and seawater levels rise; the world's smallest porpoise species looms at the edge of extinction; and a tiny emerald beetle from Japan flourishes in North America--but why does it matter? Who cares? With this concise, accessible, and up-to-date book, Charles J. Krebs answers critics and enlightens students and environmental advocates alike, revealing not why phenomena like these deserve our attention, but why they demand it. Highlighting key principles in ecology--from species extinction to the sun's role in powering ecosystems--each chapter introduces a general question, illustrates that question with real-world examples, and links it to pressing ecological issues in which humans play a central role, such as the spread of invasive species, climate change, overfishing, and biodiversity conservation. While other introductions to ecology are rooted in complex theory, math, or practice and relegate discussions of human environmental impacts and their societal implications to sidebars and appendices, Why Ecology Matters interweaves these important discussions throughout. It is a book rooted in our contemporary world, delving into ecological issues that are perennial, timeless, but could not be more timely.

WILDLAND RECREATION THE AUTHORITATIVE GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING AND MANAGING THE ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS OF RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN WILDLANDS This third edition provides an updated and thorough examination of the ecological impacts of recreational use on wildlands and the best management practices to employ in places where recreation and preservation of natural conditions are important - and often conflicting - objectives. Covering the latest research, this edition provides detailed information about the environmental changes that result from recreational use. It describes spatial patterns of impact and trends over time, and then explores the factors that determine the magnitude of impact, including the amount of use, the type and behavior of use, and the environmental durability. Numerous examples, drawn from parks and recreation areas around the world, give readers an insight into why certain areas are more heavily damaged than others, and demonstrate the techniques available to mitigate damage. The book incorporates both the first-hand experience of the authors and an exhaustive review of the world's literature on the subject. Boxes provide quick access to important material, and further resources are referenced in an extensive bibliography. Essential reading for all park and protected area management professionals, this book is also a useful textbook for upper division undergraduate and graduate students on recreation ecology and recreation management courses.

This two-volume encyclopedia, edited by Richard C. Davis and published in 1983, covers a broad range of topics related to American forestry, conservation, and land management practices, with specific entries on outdoor recreation. These entries typically explore the historical development of outdoor recreation in national forests and parks, policies that shaped recreational access, and the impact of recreation on forest conservation efforts. Appendices include a listing of U.S. national forests and national parks with citations to the legal action establishing them, original acreage, and current acreage; and a chronology of federal legislation in conservation.