Inventory, Monitoring and Modeling of Recreation Activity and Impacts in IFNM and Las Cienegas Conservation Area University of Arizona John Lynch

A Monitoring Program for Visitor Use and Associated Impacts in Las Cienegas National Conservation Area Phase I - Recreation Monitoring and Impact Assessment (Completed) Phase II- Visitor Use/Social Inventory & Monitoring (October 2002) Phase III - Simulation Modeling to Evaluate Alternative Management plans and Derive Capacity Measures – (Spring 2003) Phase IV - Establishing a Long Term Social and Ecological Monitoring Program (Fall, 2003)

Phase I - Recreation Impact Assessment Area of Campsite GPS Coordinates Campsite or Group Campsite Recreation Evidence Evidence of Recent Use Campsite Condition Campsite development Disturbance Nearby Campsite Trash Rating Topography Road Proximity Number of Road Access Points Vegetation Community Predominant Plant Species Species Richness Exotic Species Bare Ground Erosion Wildlife Evidence

Phase II- Visitor Inventory and Monitoring Visitor On-Site Diary Diary/Survey Mailing to Local Hunters Recreation Activity Mapping with Recreation Groups Automated Pressure Sensitive Counter Pads Visitor Registers Observation

Visitor On-Site Diary (Fall, 2002)

Survey Map

Local Hunter Survey (N=2000)

Recreation Activity Mapping (Fall/Spring 2001-02)

Visitor Registers

Where are we now? Completed Recreation Impact Study and Analyzing data Hunter Surveys distributed and returning for analysis Diary/Survey and Visitor Registers to be distributed Fall, 2002. Counter Pads to be installed Fall, 2002.

Ironwood Forest National Monument Travel Route Inventory and Recreation Use Study Phase I - Inventory of Existing Route Conditions (Completed) Phase II - Develop a Social and Infrastructure Inventory/Monitoring Program (Spring, 2002) Phase III- Model Development Management plan simulation and Evaluation (Spring, 2003) Phase IV – Establishing a Long Term Social and Impact Monitoring System

Phase I - Route Inventory Video GPS Classification System – route class, access vehicle, function class, ROS Class etc. Route Condition Map Outputs

Route Class Inventory

Route ROS Class Inventory

Route Vegetation Clearance Class

Recreation Site Map

Recreation Sites by Activity Class (N=338)

Phase II- Visitor Inventory and Monitoring Visitor On-Site Diary Diary/Survey Mailing to Local Hunters Recreation Activity Mapping with Recreation Groups Automated Pressure Sensitive Counter Pads Observation

Visitor On-Site Diary (Fall, 2002)

Counter Pad Technology Pressure Sensitive Pads (N=25) Capture Event, time, Date New ones differentiate between horses, vehicles and foot traffic Infrared Trails counters (N=5) Capture total numbers of parties entering from various locations in Monument

Pad Location and Data

Where are we now? Route Inventory (Complete) Recreation Impact Study (Spring, 2003 Hunter Surveys (Fall, 2002) Diary/Survey and Visitor Registers to be distributed (Fall, 2002) Counter Pads (Complete)

Dynamic Model Development A model will be developed using data from Phases I-III to mimic current conditions and explore management options

Scenario Existing Proposed 40% increase in Visitors +12 Bus Parking +20 Caravan Parking +130 Car Parks New Visitor Centre 300 Meter walk to 12 Apostles viewpoint