Literature Review

Liddle, Michael. Recreation Ecology. Queensland: Chapman & Hall, 1997.

This source provided a valuable introduction to the study of recreation ecology. Liddle, as a professor at Griffith University in Queensland, Australia, is one of the authorities in the field. He provides an overview of the subject, ranging from terms and concepts to  ecosystem changes as the result of recreation to the impacts of land use on certain species, including birds, fish, and mammals. The audience for this source seems to be primarily academic, as much of the wording is more scientific and scholarly. I received this source through Interlibrary Loan and the Cambridge Scientific Abstracts.

Wilson, John P. and Joseph P. Seney. “Erosional impact of hikers, horses, motorcycles, and off-road bicycles on mountain trails in Montana.” Mountain Research and Development. 14.1 (1994): 77-88.

In this article, Wilson and Seney examined the relative impact of hikers, horses, and off-road vehicles on trails in the Gallatin National Forest of Montana. They concluded that increased levels of trampling can cause extremely detrimental impacts on trail systems, including high rates of erosion and loss of both species diversity and vegetation. As well, the found that motorcycles can cause increased erosion by creating a rut for water runoff.
            This source was helpful to me because it contributed to my research on the impacts of recreational activities on trail systems. I found this source through Cambridge Scientific Abstracts.

Zinser, Charles I. Outdoor Recreation: United States national parks, forests, and public lands. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1995.

This source was particularly helpful to me, as it provided information on the current management practices in the Superior National Forest and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. In this book, Zinser seeks to provide an in depth examination of the allocation, planning, and management of natural resources, particularly federal public lands, for recreational purposes. Areas covered include National Parks, the National Forest System, and the National Wildlife Refuge System.
            The audience for this source is intended to be for anyone who desires an introduction to the availability of recreational resources in the United States, including academics, government officials, and tourists. I found this source through Cambridge Scientific Abstracts.