Thesis (Ed.D.)--Teachers College, Columbia University. / Typescript; issued also on microfilm. Sponsor: Henry J. Rissetto. Dissertation Committee: Thurston A. Atkins. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2007. / Typescript. Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Jian-yi Liu. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 107-116).

M.A. / The subject of this mini-dissertation is the social assessment of the proposed development of a campsite project by the Amangwane community. This project is proposed for the Cathedral Peak area of the Kwazulu Natal northern Drakensberg in partnership with the local conservation authority KZN Wildlife. As a result of the Business Plan process it was decided that participation of the wider community was necessary to obtain their input in designing the requirements for a successful campsite development. In this way the community needs will be met as far as possible. The purpose of undertaking the social assessment was twofold. Firstly, it was undertaken to establish what social structures exist within the community. This was done in order to identify and analyse the characteristics of the social structures in relation to the identified characteristics of the proposed campsite project and the possible impacts the project might have on the community. Secondly, it undertook to make suggestions in mitigation of potentially negative factors. A qualitative style of research was adopted due to the high level of involvement of the researcher in the community being studied. This close association helped in obtaining first-hand information and a practical, participatory approach, described as participatory action research, was followed. It is notable that no significant negative social impacts were recorded. The most noteworthy finding of the research was that the expectations of the community, in terms of positive impacts, were way beyond what the project could deliver. This is particularly true in terms of job creation. The main mitigation measure suggested in this respect relates to education and information dissemination. A number of other suggestions are also put forward that could positively influence the implementation of the project and the subsequent benefits to the community. / Prof. Tina Uys Prof. Anton Senekal

Practicing science in a policy context demands careful attention. This research presents backcountry campsite conditions found in Shenandoah National Park during 1992. It fuels a policy process grounded in Limits-of-Acceptable-Change (LAC). This context provides an opportunity to critique natural resource science within an LAC process and to illustrate the applicability of techniques from disciplines as diverse as educational testing and policy sciences. The condition, location, and legality of 743 backcountry campsites are reported, as revealed during a census completed using methods from recreation ecology. To assess the consistency and precision of campsite surveyors, techniques from educational measurement are adopted, including generalizability theory and decision studies. For each indicator, these techniques reveal the consistency of raters, their ability to distinguish between unique campsites, and whether raters are systematic. These three components were found to vary considerably for different indicators, reflecting the appropriateness of each indicator for justifying management decisions. In addition to traditional description of survey results, campsite condition indicators of 220 campsites with bare soil are reintegrated using cluster analysis. Seven distinct types of campsites with bare soil exist in the park. This approach should facilitate policy makers’ understanding of findings, and improve investigators’ comprehension of survey data. Recommendations include adopting a multiple strategy policy for managing backcountry campsites in Shenandoah National Park, continuing efforts to adapt generalizability theory to natural resource monitoring, and applying two phase research designs that combine the strengths of both census and survey in an efficient manner guided by generalizability theory. / Master of Science

The National Park Service initiated a backcountry campsite restoration project in 1987 to restore native vegetation on severely degraded campsites in three subalpine lake basins in Yosemite National Park. Restoration treatments included soil scarification, transplanting, manual seeding and site protection. Eight of the treated campsites were monitored in 1990 to evaluate changes in percent vegetation cover, species richness and volunteer establishment that had occurred over the three year period beginning prior to treatment application in the summer of 1987, and ending in the summer of 1990. Percent vegetation cover increased slightly across all sampled quadrats ([mean] = 0.71; N = 214) with mean percent cover changes ranging from -0.37 to 4.36 on individual campsites. Three sites had a loss of cover. Percent cover changes differed most among campsites within lake basins. Changes in percent cover did not differ among lake basins or impact strata (barren core, moderately trampled, and peripheral). Transplanting did not appear to be an important influence on changes in percent cover, as cover changes did not differ between planted and unplanted areas. Survival of transplants planted in 1987 was poor (19.2%), but survival of transplants planted in 1988 was higher (70.5%). Species richness increased slightly across all sampled quadrats ([mean] = 0.54 species per quadrat), with species richness changes on campsites ranging from -0.13 to 1.75 species per quadrat. One site had a mean decrease in species richness. Species richness changes differed among campsites, with the largest increases occurring on those campsites that also had the greatest increases in percent cover. Changes in species richness also differed among impact strata, with the largest increases occurring on barren core areas. There were small differences among lake basins, and species richness changes did not differ between planted and unplanted areas. Volunteer establishment occurred on all treated sites. The number of volunteers per site ranged from one to 45, and 29 species were represented. Individual quadrats had from one to four volunteers. Approximately 50% of the volunteers were producing seed, and overall vigor among volunteers was good. Numbers of volunteers per quadrat differed most strongly among campsites. Slight differences were detected among lake basins and impact strata, with numbers decreasing from barren core to peripheral quadrats. Differences in numbers of volunteers per quadrat between planted and unplanted areas were not detected. Soil scarification may enhance increases in cover, species richness and numbers of volunteers. However, the influence of scarification was tested on two sites only, and further study is recommended. The recovery process appeared to be strongly affected by factors operating at the campsite level. For example, sites with the greatest increases in percent cover also had the greatest increases in species richness and the most volunteers. These sites had coarse soils, relatively abundant sunlight and moisture, and were effectively protected from trampling after site treatment. Results indicate revegetation prescriptions should be made on a site-by-site basis. The performances of eleven species used in transplanting or occurring as volunteers were evaluated. Five species, Agrostis humilis, Calamagrostis breweri, Muhlenbergia filifonnis, Trisetum spicatum, and Calyptridium umbellatum show potential as colonizers in unassisted revegetation and may be useful in manual seeding treatments; three species, Calamagrostis breweri, Carex rossii, and Juncus panyi show potential for transplanting and nursery propagation; and two species, Carex spectabilis and Carex straminiformis, require further study to determine their effectiveness in subalpine revegetation treatments. / Graduation date: 1993

No description available.

During this creative project rationale, developed from scientific fact, community needs and the values inherent to the student was utilized as the foundation for decisions associated with the development of a campground facility for Prairie Creek Reservoir. Comprehensive and site specific problem-solving methods were used to form a broad overview of the park and recreation planning and design procedures available to landscape architects.At the comprehensive scale, a survey was conducted to assess the community need for the camping experience. An inventory of existing camping opportunities available to the residents of Delaware County was used, in conjunction with the survey results and recreation standards, in a supply/demand equation to determine the number and the type of camping facilities needed to meet present and future demand for the camping experience. The concept of camping at Prairie Creek Reservoir Park was viewed in this light.Site scale investigations began with the establishment of user and resource criteria. Natural, cultural and economic data were collected from the landscape contained within, and immediately surrounding, the property leased by the Muncie Park Board at the Prairie Creek Reservoir site. This information was analyzed in accordance with the design criteria to produce a series of computer generated maps. The student identified alternative campground sites within the site with the help of these visual aids. The campground site, best meeting the user needs and resource capabilities, was selected and a series of development proposals for the campground facility was prepared. / Department of Landscape Architecture

Camping and caravanning is practiced by a segment of the population in South Africa. Various articles in the caravan and outdoor life magazine published in South Africa have indicated that municipal caravan parks are not providing the same facilities and service as was provided in the past .With this background the hypothesis was established as being, the facilities at municipal caravan parks such as Hendon Park are deteriorating due to lack of government commitment and funds. The objectives of this research was determined as being whether (1) it is economically viable for the municipality to continue to utilise the existing land as a caravan park or, (2) it is more beneficial to the taxpayer for the municipality to sell the prime land to a developer or, (3) it is in the best interest of the municipality and /or the community to sell the property to a private company for upgrading the facilities to meet campers requirements The scope of the investigation was determined and includes questionnaires to campers, as well as interview’s with various stakeholders. The researcher also considered various management strategies suggested by strategist David, Fry, Lambert and Stock and Massey that could be used by Hendon Park management to enhance the operation of the Caravan Park under their control and thus a suggested management strategy was compiled. A specific window period to gather the information was decided as being the Easter Holiday period as this was the period that all caravan parks in Cape Town are at full capacity and thus this was the best opportunity to gather the information as the target (campers) would be camping in great numbers. Finally the results was analysed and a conclusion was drawn. Specific recommendations were then proposed by the researcher to be implemented by the staff of Hendon caravan park.