Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

A systematic review of methods for studying the impacts of outdoor recreation on terrestrial wildlife

Marion, Solène; Davies, Althea; Demšar, Urška; Irvine, R. Justin; Stephens, Philip A.; Long, Jed

A systematic review of methods for studying the impacts of outdoor recreation on terrestrial wildlife Thumbnail


Authors

Solène Marion

Althea Davies

Urška Demšar

R. Justin Irvine

Jed Long



Abstract

Outdoor recreation is a known source of disturbance to many wildlife populations. We systematically reviewed 126 relevant papers that study the impact of outdoor recreation on wildlife, focusing on terrestrial wildlife (birds excluded) to assess the different methodological approaches adopted by researchers. We characterised the research methods into seven categories (direct observation, indirect observation (field-based), telemetry, camera traps, physiological measurement, trapping, and simulation). We find that direct observation is the most commonly used method to capture human-wildlife interactions, followed by the use of telemetry, and camera traps. The animals most commonly studied were ungulates, and the orders Carnivora and Rodentia. Studies typically captured data over longer periods (median 54 months) when using trapping methods; other methods exhibited shorter study durations (median 22 months). The size of the animal under study appears to influence how methods are chosen, with larger species often being studied using telemetry methods. We highlight advantages and disadvantages of each method depending on the aims of the study, the focal species, and the type of outdoor recreation. Our review highlights the need for simultaneous measurements of both human activity and wildlife response. We also recommend that researchers consider how to capture both short- and long-term impacts on animal welfare. Our findings should guide applied wildlife conservation and management research in scenarios where human-wildlife interactions lead to conservation issues.

Citation

Marion, S., Davies, A., Demšar, U., Irvine, R. J., Stephens, P. A., & Long, J. (2020). A systematic review of methods for studying the impacts of outdoor recreation on terrestrial wildlife. Global Ecology and Conservation, 22, Article e00917. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e00917

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jan 10, 2020
Online Publication Date Jan 14, 2020
Publication Date May 30, 2020
Deposit Date Jan 14, 2020
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Global Ecology and Conservation
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 22
Article Number e00917
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e00917

Files





You might also like



Downloadable Citations