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Volume 14- July 2024
Outdoor Recreation
With summer approaching, many Minnesotans are thinking about getting outside. From the pristine lakeshores to the expansive forests and rolling prairies, the outdoor recreation opportunities in Minnesota are vast and varied.
In this issue of the Reader, we’re looking at the past, present, and future of recreation and land management - from a historical overview of recreation ecology to the effects of forest composition on recreation, to projecting what recreation on public lands will look like in the future. As Minnesota invests in recreation infrastructure, expands programs to increase recreation accessibility, and strengthens the outdoor recreation discussion through venues such as the Great Lakes Outdoor Summit, now is a good time to get outdoors!
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The Minnesota Research Reader is a collaboration between the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service that provides a quick look at emerging research relevant to our work in the State of Minnesota. We hope you enjoy the selection of articles in this month's edition of the Reader!
In this 2021 article, David Cole, emeritus research scientist with USDA Forest Service Research and Development, discusses the impact of outdoor recreation on park and conservation environments and the emergence of recreation ecology as a scientific discipline. Recreation ecology has evolved from a focus on physical and biological impacts to include social science aspects and management applications. Cole highlights the historical development of recreation ecology from the early 20th century, with studies on plant responses to trampling and how the work of pioneers in the field influenced early park management practices.
Management Implications:
- The impacts of recreation on parks have increased significantly in recent decades, due to population growth, increased leisure time and greater personal mobility.
- Recreation activities can cause trail scarring, soil erosion, campsite compaction, wildlife disturbance, and pollution from human waste.
- Recreation ecology research has led to new management strategies to mitigate recreation impacts, such as campground design principles and Leave No Trace guidelines. Challenges remain, including the need for continued funding, interdisciplinary collaboration, and recognition of early pioneers in the field.
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In this recent paper, scientists Baishali Bakshi and Stephen Polasky examine how forest composition affects outdoor recreation in Minnesota. Climate change is already influencing forest composition and will continue to do so. In regions like Minnesota's Laurentian Mixed Forest province, changes in forest type may be influenced by outdoor recreation. The authors identify a nuanced relationship between forest composition, recreation types, forest types, and region-specific factors. This paper offers insights for effective outdoor recreation management and climate change adaptation.
Management Implications:
- In regions like Minnesota's Laurentian Mixed Forest province, northern species are expected to displace temperate ones by the end of the century.
- Understanding how forest composition affects outdoor recreation is crucial for effective management and adaptation to climate change.
- Managers may want to consider reforming recreation licensing based on location and specific forest types, and/or strategically planting some forest types close to recreation areas. They may also want to consider the impact of forest composition on ecosystem services when making management decisions and creating policies.
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A recent General Technical Report by Lynne Westphal, emerit research social scientist with the USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station, analyzed media and research reports to identify potential changes in recreation on public lands over the next 30 years. Anticipating and preparing for the future are among the challenges land managers face when making decisions about how to balance the public’s desire for outdoor recreation with ecological concerns.
Management Implications:
- Recreation on public lands may be significantly different in the future and climate change will be a key driver.
- Health-related outdoor recreation is likely to increase.
- Attitudes toward tourism and new modes of travel could influence interest in and access to natural areas.
- Social factors and technological advances will have significant impacts on outdoor recreation.
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