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of different (nature-based) recreational activity forms. More and more areas of
previously unspoiled nature are made accessible to recreation and its recreational
use in time is, seasonally and diurnally, prolonged. This development is associated
with ecological impact to a significant degree. Examples are, among others, habi-
tat degradation, loss and fragmentation as well as disturbance to wildlife (Ingold,
2005
; Manning,
1999
; Scheuermann,
2005
). As a consequence, in areas of concern
the existing situation and changes in recreation, with their effects on nature, must be
considered carefully. To do justice to the requirements of nature conservation and
recreation, management measures are required, which on the one hand treat recre-
ation in accordance to nature's supply and conservation needs, and on the other hand
recognize recreational demands in nature conservation. This calls for the imple-
mentation of contemporary integrated nature conservation management approaches
- being holistic, interdisciplinary and moreover multidisciplinary: Integrated man-
agement encompasses methods and instruments coming from different fields into
one consistent structure or framework. It aims at to examine different requirements
considering diverse points of view. Doing so, it provides a clear picture of all
aspects of an organization or system, how they affect each other and their associated
risks, impacts and conflicts. In comparison to singular management measures, by
using synergies and by concentrating resources more efficient management is pos-
sible. Integrated management is a challenge to conventional practices, attitudes and
professional certainties. It confronts entrenched sectoral interests and requires that
resources are managed holistically for the benefits of all. Figure
20.1
shows changes
in nature conservation management during time and compares characteristics of
conventional and integrated management.
In protected areas, visitor management is used to fulfil the task to develop inte-
grated nature conservation management strategies, which aim to handle recreation
and natural demands towards sustainable development. This relatively new field of
activity was not developed until the second half of the 20th century in a response to
the increasing and changing recreation. Today, it has become an ever more impor-
tant element. Adequate measures (see Fig.
20.2
) are used to balance the ecological
and social benefits and disadvantages that visitors bring (Newsome et al.,
2004
).
However, it must be considered that each recreational activity is different. This
concerns use pattern, target groups, requirements on infrastructure, weather, etc.
Further, the impact on the environment differs for each activity. As a result, manage-
ment has to apply various measures depending on the specific recreational activity.
Searching for a suitable way to realize, to develop and to guide recreation, manage-
ment approaches for the individual activities are required integrating diverse points
of view.
The realization of appropriate visitor management measures requires well-
founded and actual data, and an extensive understanding on recreation and nature.
Thus, an essential part of visitor management is visitor monitoring (Worboys et al.,
2005
). It entails the systematic and ongoing collection and analysis of data on
nature- and landscape-related recreation, as well as on the motives, needs and
conflicts involved. Thereby, visitor monitoring aims to assess and/or evaluate the
recreational use made of an area in a targeted fashion, taking all aspects into
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