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Recreation in mountain sheep habitat.

I described recreational use in mountain sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana) habitat in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness (PRW), Tucson, Arizona. I also examined human attitudes held by PRW recreationists and homeowners within 1 mile (1.6 km) of PRW boundary towards several mountain sheep management options. I used geographic information system modeling and social science survey methodology. Recreational use along two trails that traverse mountain sheep habitat was frequent (66 individuals/day use Pima Canyon trail, 26 individuals/day use Romero Canyon trail) and primarily limited to the lower 3 miles (4.8 km) of the trails. Compliance with existing dog leash regulations is low (41.8% on Pima Canyon trail, 62.8% on Romero Canyon trail). Recreationists and homeowners within 1 mile (1.6 km) of PRW support the elimination of dogs within PRW and support planned burns of PRW to improve mountain sheep habitat. Recreationists and homeowners also support closing all or parts of PRW to protect the long term viability (>100 years) of the sheep population. Homeowners within 1 mile (1.6 km) of PRW primarily enjoy passive recreational use of PRW (i.e, viewing the wilderness).

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/186064
Date January 1992
CreatorsHarris, Lisa Kim.
ContributorsShaw, William W., Krausman, Paul R., Mannan, Robert W., King, David A., Carpenter, Edwin H.
PublisherThe University of Arizona.
Source SetsUniversity of Arizona
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typetext, Dissertation-Reproduction (electronic)
RightsCopyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.

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