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Abstract
This paper integrates social and ecological impact data from a barrier beach to demonstrate the value of an inter-disciplinary approach to resource allocation and visitor management. The ecological data included observations of shorebird distributions and causes of human disturbance. The social data were obtained from on-site surveys of boaters and pedestrian visitors. The ecological findings indicated that shorebird habitat preference was limited to two of the four areas where boaters were present. The social data indicated that some boaters engaged in activities that caused shorebird disturbance, and were not ecologically aware of their impacts. A management plan was developed to restrict boaters from areas used by shorebirds. Educational programs were developed to increase boater awareness of the impacts they cause.
Parent Publication
Citation
In: Vander Stoep, Gail A., ed. 1992. Proceedings of the 1991 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium; 1991 April 7-9; Saratoga Springs, NY. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-160. Radnor, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. p. 61-65.
