Determinants of Responsible Hiking Behavior: Results from a Stated Choice Experiment

Abstract

This research examined the determinants of responsible hiking behavior through a lab-based experiment in which two managerial factors believed to influence individuals' behavior (the presentation of an educational message and the method of displaying degraded trail conditions) were varied across four experimental treatments in a 2 × 2 between subjects factorial design. The effect of trail degradation type (muddiness and erosion) and severity (moderate or severe) of trail degradation were also examined within each of the 4 treatment groups. Analyses revealed neither the educational message nor the method of displaying the image had a consistent and expected impact on individuals' behavioral intentions. In fact, participants who viewed the educational message were more likely to indicate they would hike off the trail. The effects of both trail degradation type and severity were consistent and significant with muddiness and more severe levels of degradation having a greater influence on individuals' intent to hike on the edge of or off the trail. The analyses also revealed both gender and hiking frequency had significant effects on behavioral intentions. Female participants were more likely to indicate they would turn around than males when they encountered degraded trail sections. Women were also less likely to indicate they would hike off the trail than men. Collectively, these findings highlight a variety of ways recreation resource managers can more efficiently inform recreationists about the impacts of off-trail hiking and prioritize trail management needs.

Predicting physical distancing on recreational trails during COVID-19

“…Unlike some other research where signage did not lead to desired behaviors ( Goh, 2020 ; Guo et al, 2015 ), this data revealed a positive association between sign presence and physical-distancing compliance. This finding supports past research where visitors adhere to clearly communicated rules, especially when reinforced by social norms ( Schneider et al, ; Schneider & Hammitt, 1995 ).…”

Effects of outdoor education stream classes on substrate movement and macroinvertebrate colonization

“…Ecotourism is one outgrowth of the environmental movement and has been defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as responsible travel to relatively undisturbed natural areas of the world to enjoy nature, promote conservation, and provide economic benefit for the host community. Several studies have demonstrated negative impact on the environment from recreational activities associated with ecotourism such as the effects of: 1) diving on coral reefs (Santos et al 2015;Giglio et al 2016;Roche et al 2016); 2) hiking on trailside plants (Guo et al 2015); and 3) beachside driving on shorebirds (Weston et al 2014). Such studies are insightful and important because proponents of ecotourism are often unaware about the possibility of environmental harm from ecotourism activities or they proceed under the impression that their activities are environmentally harmless (Wall 1997;Priskin 2003;Weston et al 2014;Giglio et al 2016).…”

Short-Term Disturbance Effects of Outdoor Education Stream Classes on Aquatic Macroinvertebrates

“…Chemical disturbances as a result of agricultural runoff or industrial waste and physical disturbances from floods, construction projects, and land-use changes have received much attention in the literature [1] [3]. A newer body of literature has begun to evaluate the influence of disturbance caused by human recreational activity within natural areas on the biota [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]. In addition to considering the disturbance impacts of ecotourism and outdoor recreation, it is important to recognize that outdoor education programs may also cause disturbance to the biota.…”