Understanding visitors’ spatial behavior: a review of spatial applications in parks

Abstract The integration of spatial concepts with social science data in natural resource management has progressed rapidly over the past 15 years. There is now a foundational understanding, and supporting empirical work, that recreational use at parks and protected areas (PPAs) is a spatially conditioned process. To better understand visitor’s spatial behavior, we present an updated review of the incorporation of space into human dimensions of natural resources research; what it has illuminated about human behavior, human values, and PPA management; how spatially related social science data are being integrated with other resource issues; and identify knowledge gaps and propose future directions for research. Overall, our review suggests that the examination of spatially related social science data are only in their infancy because of rapidly evolving technology which continues to advance the value of this type of research. Additionally, the geographic scope of studies often determines the applicability of the findings. For example, participatory mapping methods are typically used for macro-level PPA management applications such as infrastructure planning while visitor data logging are often used for more localized visitor management applications. Therefore, one significant advancement over the past five years has been the incorporation of multiple methods in single studies.