title: Identification of environmental, managerial, and sociodemographic correlates of hiker volume on the Florida National Scenic Trail.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to identify the association of environmental, managerial, and sociodemographic variables with hiker volume on the Florida National Scenic Trail.
  
  
  METHODS
  Monthly hiker count data from 43 count stations along the Florida National Scenic Trail were used. For each station the characteristics of the built and natural environment as well as sociodemographic variables were computed within a Geographic Information System based on census, land use, and land cover data, together with managerial data.
  
  
  METHODS
  Counts were performed on access points of the Florida National Scenic Trail located between the panhandle area in the northwest and the Everglades in the south.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 34,734 hikers were counted across the 43 stations over 12-month periods for years 2003-2004 and 2008-2009.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hiker volume was measured through infrared counters and registration cards at trail access points.
  
  
  METHODS
  A negative binomial regression with monthly hiker counts as response variable.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Positive associations with hiker volume were observed for (population density per hectare) 2 (β  =  .207, p < .02), residential areas (β  =  .041, p < .0003), household income between $25,000 and $49,999 (β  =  .266, p < .0001), household income between $50,000 and $99,999 (β  =  .135, p < .0001), open water (β  =  .135, p < .0001), and station kilometers north (β  =  .003, p < .0001). Negative associations with hiker volume were observed for age <18 (β  =  -.305, p < .0001) and presence of trail fees (β  =  -.583, p < .0001). Positive and negative associations were observed for different categories in categorical variables including prominent vegetation type (p < .0001), trail management agency (p < .0001), and month (p < .0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The correlates should be considered for the design, planning, and promotion of hiking trails in publicly managed areas to increase hiker volume.
authors.affiliation: Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida, 3205 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314-7799, USA. hhhochmair@ufl.edu
authors.forename: Hartwig H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Hochmair
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cucinella
authors.forename: Taylor V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Stein
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D011156:Population Density; D011998:Recreation; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016138:Walking / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult