User Impacts on Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness
Presentation Type
Oral and/or Visual Presentation
Presenter Major(s)
Natural Resource Management
Mentor Information
C. "Griff" Griffin, griffinc@gvsu.edu
Department
Biology
Location
Kirkhof Center 1104
Start Date
13-4-2011 12:30 PM
End Date
13-4-2011 1:00 PM
Keywords
Environment
Abstract
Recreational use of wilderness areas puts pressure on the biophysical features of wilderness. Some of these impacts may be irreversible. This analysis was conducted to interpret data collected at Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness (NDW) during the summer of 2009. This data was cataloged using ArcInfo to create maps of NDW relating to use and user impacts, campsite locations, and biophysical features. Average campsite size, distance from campsite to a trail or other campsite, and fire ring size were some of the results of the interpreted data. I expect to find that campsite selection and use was largely based on the presence of preferred biophysical characteristics such as vegetation, slope, and proximity to water, as well as the presence of an existing fire ring.
User Impacts on Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness
Kirkhof Center 1104
Recreational use of wilderness areas puts pressure on the biophysical features of wilderness. Some of these impacts may be irreversible. This analysis was conducted to interpret data collected at Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness (NDW) during the summer of 2009. This data was cataloged using ArcInfo to create maps of NDW relating to use and user impacts, campsite locations, and biophysical features. Average campsite size, distance from campsite to a trail or other campsite, and fire ring size were some of the results of the interpreted data. I expect to find that campsite selection and use was largely based on the presence of preferred biophysical characteristics such as vegetation, slope, and proximity to water, as well as the presence of an existing fire ring.