title: Interpretation reduces ecological impacts of visitors to world heritage site.
abstract: Minimal-impact interpretation is widely used to reduce the ecological impacts of visitors to protected areas. We tested whether verbal appeals and/or role-model demonstrations of minimal-impact behavior by a trained guide reduced noise, litter, and trampling impacts on hiking trails in a subtropical rainforest. Interpretation did reduce impacts significantly. Different interpretive techniques were more effective for different impacts. The experimental groups were mature, well-educated professionals; interpretation may differ in effectiveness for different visitors. Interpretation by skilled guides can indeed reduce visitor impacts in protected areas, especially if role modeling is combined with verbal appeals.
authors.affiliation: NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Hurstville, NSW, Australia. carolyn.littlefair@environment.nsw.gov.au
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Littlefair
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Buckley
mesh_terms: D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D017753:Ecosystem; D006801:Humans; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011793:Queensland; D011998:Recreation; D013664:Teaching Materials; D014195:Travel