Management - Use limits & carrying capacities

Josselyn, M., Martindale, M. & Duffield, J. Public access and wetlands: Impacts of recreational use. Tech. Report no. 9. Romberg Tiburon Centers, Center for Environmental Studies, San Francisco State University, Tiburon, CA.

Abstract

Literature reviewed demonstrates that wetland plants and animals are vulnerable to the effects of human recreational activities. The most dramatic effects reported for wildlife are those that occur at breeding sites, but the long-term effects of disturbances during non-breeding portion of the life cycle have not yet been studied, nor have the effects of human recreational activities on many individual species. Very few before and after studies have been done at public use sites, therefore, many studies involve species that are already acclimated to human activities and the change in wildlife use as a result of public access use is not known. Many available studies are concerned with vegetation, fewer with breeding birds, and fewer still with non-breeding birds, other vertebrates, and invertebrates. No studies were found on the effectiveness of various barriers or buffers in reducing the impacts of human recreational activities.

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