Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Capability refers to limitations on individual movement due to physical,
physiological or biological factors. These constraints restrict the distance and
speed of movement, given a certain period of time, mode of transportation or
species-specific capabilities of motion. For example, male mammals typically
move further than females.
Coupling refers to the limitations imposed by the need to be in a particular place
for a given time and period to engage in specific activities with specific objects or
entities. This could mean anything from taking a child to visit a doctor to going to
school. These constraints ''define where, when, and for how long'', the individual
needs to meet with other individuals, use tools or materials in order to produce
something, or consume and transact. Western society over recent years has changed
markedly, so that certain coupling constraints are much weaker than they were
previously (such as during the 1970s); for example, now there are more flexible
working hours, and shopping can be done at home via the internet. These changes
have led to more complex movement patterns of individuals (Forer et al.
2007
).
Behaviours
such
as
mating/courting,
territorial
defence
and
flocking
are
strongly subject to this constraint.
Authority refers to a 'domain' that is controlled by people or institutions that set
limits on the spatial and temporal accessibility to particular individuals or groups.
For example, a person's space-time path normally cannot enter sensitive military
bases or private property; dogs are forbidden to visit certain conservation reserves
at certain periods. In some sense, the territories of animals can be considered to fall
within this category.
Knowledge constraints comprise one of the major limitations on movement
behaviour, because individuals require sufficient information to make decisions
regarding where they will go and what they will do when they arrive there, and
access to information often has its own set of geographical limitations. For
example, if tourists have no knowledge about a possible destination or how to
travel there, they may decide not to visit. This constraint is more significant for
non-routine locations (Forer et al.
2007
). Lau and McKercher (
2006
) discovered
that tourists who are familiar with the environment are more adventurous and their
movement patterns are more diverse and extensive, whereas 'destination naïve'
first-timers show more confined movement patterns. Interestingly, animals react to
knowledge constraints differently. For instance, when relocated to unfamiliar
environments, many individuals travel over much greater distances than when they
are in familiar areas (Fig.
4
). Such increases in travel distances often reflect the
desire of animals to return to their home range, where the locations of food
resources, rest areas, or refugia are known. Increased travel in unfamiliar locations
also indicates exploratory behaviour.
Temporal constraints have a profound impact on travel behaviour. Lau and
McKercher (
2006
) identified that time scheduling and length of stay are the two
primary temporal factors that influence the movement patterns of tourists. The
length of stay partially determines the distance travelled to reach resort destina-
tions, i.e., the further one travels to a tourist destination the longer one tends to stay
(Debbage
1991
).
