Impacts of recreation on biodiversity in wilderness

We discuss seven recreational impacts on biodiversity in wilderness areas. These include: 1) construction of trails, 2) trampling of vegetation and soils on trails and campsites, 3) collection and burning of wood in campfires, 4) water pollution associated with camping activities, 5) unintentional harassment of animals, 6) hunting, fishing, and associated management programs, and 7) grazing by processes and functions of ecosystems. The activities which have caused the greatest impact on diversity at a regional scale are fishing, hunting and associated management practices. None of these perturbations, however, have been studied in insufficient detail to assess their long-term impact.