MMV 2002 - Vienna, Austria

January 30 - February 02

Hosting Institution

Institute of Landscape Development, Recreation and Conservation Planning
BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna
Univ.Prof. Dr. DI. Andreas Muhar and Assoz. Prof. Dr. DI Arne Arnberger
Austria, 1190 Wien, Peter Jordan Str. 82

fon: ++43 - (0)1 - 47654 85300
fax: ++43 - (0)1 - 47654 85309
mail: arne.arnberger@boku.ac.at

Conference Theme

Areas of high ecological value, i.e. parks and protected areas experience ever increasing pressures from recreation and tourism. In addition, new technologies make remote areas increasingly accessible. This leads to extensive ecological impacts, and to increasing conflicts between user groups. In order to manage protected areas within acceptable ecological and social carrying capacities, one needs to monitor visitor activities and behaviour, and deepen the understanding of expectations and motivations. A thorough exploration and discussion of efficient and cost-effective monitoring and recording methods, and associated analysis is necessary. This conference is a first step in this direction and is looking for contributions from practicioners and researchers alike.

Conference Topics

Conflicts

Conflicts between natural conservation and recreational goals as well as between different users

Carrying capacity research

Standards and norms

Monitoring methods

Presentation and discussion of various monitoring methods

advantages and disadvantages in recording of qualitative and quantitative data (long-term recording - optical sensors, video surveillance, personal interviews, mailback questionnaires etc.)

Managers` needs and expectations concerning monitoring practices, ethical aspects

Evaluation of management alternatives (choice modelling; decision analysis; GIS-applications)

Visitor flow modelling:

Models to describe and predict visitor flows and their spatio-temporal distribution, Models describing visitor numbers in dependence of external factors such as the weather etc..

GIS-applications

Practical applications:

Practical applications with examples

Experience and possible fields of applications for visitor management from a manager's point of view

Conference Workshops:

Visitor monitoring methods

Monitoring and modeling visitor flows in backcountry areas

Discussion of visitor monitoring standards

Research needs

Keynote Speakers

Leopold März, Vienna: Rector University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences
Andreas Muhar, Vienna: Institute for Landscape Architecture and Landscape Management
Victoria Hasler, Vienna: Federal Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management
Martin Smejkal, Vienna: Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Culture

International Steering Committee

David Cole - Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute, USA
Terry C. Daniel - School of Renewable Natural Resources, University of Arizona, USA
Paul F. J. Eagles - WCPA Task Force on Tourism and Protected Areas, Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, University of Waterloo, Canada
Andreas Götz - Director of the International Commission for the protection of the Alps (CIPRA), Schaan, Liechtenstein
Wolfgang Haider - School of Resource and Environmental Management (REM), Simon Fraser University, Canada
Robert E. Manning - School of Natural Resources, University of Vermont, USA
Andreas Muhar - Institute for Landscape Architecture and Landscape Management, University of Natural Resources & Applied Life Sciences, Austria
Guido Plassmann - Director of the Network of Alpine Protected Areas, France
Wolfgang Scherzinger - National Park Bavarian Forest, Germany