Wilderness Visitor Use Management
Final Exam Study Guide
The final exam for this course consists of 40 questions, randomly selected
from the following. You must achieve a grade of 80% (325 points out of 400
total) on the exam to pass this course.
1
Test Questions for Chapter I.
Fundamentals of Wilderness Visitor Use Management
1. Management of visitor use in wilderness addresses threats to the natural
conditions of the biophysical components of the wilderness resource only;
setting standards for the social components of the resource is more challenging
and too subjective.
True
False
2. Select the answer that best interprets what this statement of purpose from
Section 2.(a) of the Wilderness Act means for visitor use management of
wilderness:
“…areas designated by the Congress as “wilderness areas,” and these shall be
administered for the use and enjoyment of the American people in such manner
as will leave them unimpaired for future use and enjoyment as wilderness, and
so as to provide for the protection of these areas, the preservation of their
wilderness character,…”
a. Management of visitor use in wilderness is mostly about managing the
experience of the wilderness visitor.
b. Providing opportunities for the use and enjoyment of wilderness comes
first and impacts to the biophysical resource are acceptable as long as
recreation experiences are still available in the future.
c. Opportunities for visitors to experience wilderness are provided but it is
appropriate to manage visitor use and impacts so that the social and
biophysical components of wilderness character are preserved.
3. The Wilderness Act defines wilderness for visitor use management as a place
where modern humans are visitors to an area that generally does not exhibit the
results of modern human development or control and provides opportunities for
solitude or recreation.
True
False
2
4. Providing “…outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and
unconfined type of recreation…” means that managers should do which of the
following (select all that apply)?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Minimize crowding
Minimize motorized and mechanical intrusions
Maximize access to all areas by all users at all times
Promote self reliance and traditional skills
Maximize contrast between wilderness and modern civilization
5. Wilderness and non-wilderness legislation enacted after the Wilderness Act of
1964 may contain special provisions that affect management of visitor use in
wilderness.
True
False
3
Test Questions for Module II.A.
Management Strategies Overview
1. Select the following items that are not potential biophysical or social impact
problems caused by visitor use (select all that apply).
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
Impacts to official trails
Horseback riding
Unwanted trails
Impacts to campsites
Wheelchair use
Wildlife disturbance
Impacts on water quality
Grazing impacts on meadows
Loss of solitude
Visitor conflict
2. Most of the adverse effects to campsite and trail conditions or solitude occur
with a relatively low level of use, but a substantial reduction in use may do little to
improve conditions.
True
False
3. The most important reason for determining which factors influence the
magnitude or intensity of the biophysical or social impact problem is:
a. Managers need to prioritize their workload
b. Understanding the factors that influence the magnitude of the problem
leads to understanding why the problem is occurring and selecting
effective management strategies
c. Understanding the characteristics and preferences of the typical visitor
to your wilderness must be done before taking action
d. Your supervisor took this training and says it’s a good idea
4. The decision-making process for selecting visitor use management strategies
and tactics includes the following 4 steps:
4
1.
2.
3.
4.
Identify and document the problem
Select strategies for dealing with the problem
Determine which tactics can address the problem
Use decision criteria
Which of the following decision criteria should be used to evaluate and
select the best strategies and tactics in step 4 (select all that apply)?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Lowest cost
Effectiveness
Ease of implementation
Visitor burden
Management cost
Side effects
Highest value to local public stake holders
5. When considering visitor burden it is common to think of the spectrum of
possible management tactics in terms of direct and indirect techniques.
True
False
6. When addressing recreation use problems, it is important to select a single
management strategy that can be applied to the entire wilderness area.
True
False
7. All of the following factors influence the magnitude of social impacts (crowding
on trails or at destination areas) except:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Spatial distribution of use
Timing of use
Frequency of use
Type of use and visitor behavior
Environmental conditions
5
8. There are seven strategies for management of visitor use but only six are
useful for addressing biophysical impacts. Which one of the following is not
effective for management of biophysical impacts?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Limit or reduce use
Modify type of use and/or visitor behavior
Modify the timing of use
Modify the location of use
Increase the resistance of the resource
Modify user expectations
Maintain and/or restore the resource
6
Test Questions for Module II.B.
Management Strategies for Biophysical Impacts
1. The strategy of Limit or Reduce Use will be most effective for addressing
biophysical impacts if which of the following have been shown to be true (select
all that apply)?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
It is combined with another strategy
The use limits or reductions are significant
Visitors are required to sign a risk waiver
It is implemented in very lightly used areas
Visitors are charged a fee
2. Order the following tactics for the Limit or Reduce Use strategy from most
direct (1) to most indirect (6).
_____Limit length of stay
_____Provide/improve facilities in some places; remove them in other
places
_____Encourage use of some places; discourage use of others
_____Limit number of visitors (limited use permit system)
_____Make access more difficult in some places or easier in other places
_____Require certain skills and/or equipment
3. The two main choices for tactics to implement the Modify Type of Use or
Visitor Behavior strategy are regulation and education.
True
False
7
4. Which of the following are potential biophysical impact problems associated
with at-large (unregulated) camping that can be addressed by the Modify Type of
Use or Visitor Behavior strategy (select all that apply)?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
Poor site selection
Crowding – too close to other sites
Resource – use of fragile rather than resistant sites
Campsite expansion
Campsite proliferation
Sound – excess noise from other sites
Water pollution
Wildlife disturbance
5. Two tactics used to implement the Modify Type of Use or Visitor Behavior
strategy are “dispersal” (at-large camping) and “containment” (designated
campsites). Select either “dispersal” or “containment” for each of the two
management situations described below.
__ This Popular Wilderness has overnight destination areas with high use,
many existing campsites, and a rare plant species.
__ The Pristine Wilderness has low use, many potential campsites and
few ranger patrols.
a. Dispersal
b. Containment
6. Many types of visitor actions can cause biophysical impacts and can be
addressed by the Modify Type of Use or Visitor Behavior strategy. Match the
best example for each of the four the types of actions listed.
Actions
Careless
Unskilled
Uninformed
Unavoidable
Illegal
Examples
a. Theft of artifacts
b. Firewood gathering and campfire building in
sub-alpine areas
c. Feeding wildlife
d. Picking wildflowers
e. Trampling plants along a low use official trail
8
7. The Modify Timing of Use strategy is probably most effective for addressing
the biophysical impacts of visitor use when applied to two types of situations.
Which of the following are examples of those situations (select all that apply)?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Crowding during high-use seasons
Soils are saturated with water
High day-use areas
Wildlife vulnerable to disturbance
Improving your supervisor’s wilderness experience
8. The strategy to Modify the Location of Use encompasses two primary tactics:
Select Resistant Sites/Trails
Construct Resistant Sites/Trails
To implement the Select Resistant Sites/Trails tactic, visitors may be
informed and asked to use one of the 7 Leave No Trace (LNT) techniques.
Which one of the following LNT techniques would be most relevant to
implementation of this tactic?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Plan Ahead and Prepare
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Dispose of Waste Properly
Leave What You Find
Minimize Campfire Impacts
Respect Wildlife
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
9. To implement the Modify the Location of Use strategy, one tactic is to
encourage visitors to select campsites based on vegetation type. Is the following
statement true or false?
Forbs generally have lower resistance to trampling then grasses.
True
False
9
10. The Increase the Resistance of the Resource strategy is typically
implemented in two ways:
Provide facilities
Harden substrates
How does providing facilities in wilderness address the biophysical effects
of visitor use impacts (select all that apply)?
a. Facilities provide visitors with added convenience, which makes it
easier to minimize biophysical impacts
b. Facilities indicate where activities (i.e. tent camping, campfires,
sanitation) should take place
c. Facilities painted in agency colors help identify who manages the area
d. Facilities may allow use of otherwise unusable sites with hard
substrates
e. Facilities serve to concentrate impacts and protect other areas
f. Facilities help spread out impacts
11. The Maintain and/or Restore the Resource strategy is different from other
strategies because it treats the symptoms rather than the problem.
True
False
12. The most important point to remember about the strategy to Maintain and/or
Restore the Resource is:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Be sure to include volunteers in any restoration project
Before undertaking restoration, ensure that problems won’t recur
Use only native seed in all revegetation efforts
Get the archaeologist to inspect the area before digging
13. The wilderness you manage has experienced an increase in day use as the
population of the surrounding area has grown. Monitoring indicates that
wilderness visitor use is concentrated in a few popular areas while the rest of the
wilderness offers a high degree of solitude. The high-use areas are also the
most scenic and contain the most fragile ecosystems. The thresholds for
biophysical impacts are being exceeded in the high day-use areas on most
summer weekends. The biophysical impacts include trail widening, multiple or
10
braided trails, visitor created trails, and expanding visitor created rest and view
areas.
From the strategies listed below, select the ones that would be appropriate
for management of the biophysical impacts described above (select all
that apply).
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Limit or reduce use
Modify type of use and/or visitor behavior
Modify the timing of use
Modify the location of use
Increase the resistance of the resource
Modify user expectations
Maintain and/or restore the resource
11
Test Questions for Module II.C.
Management Strategies for Social Impacts
1. What are the four types of potential social impacts to the visitor experience?
a. Crowding, loss of privacy, conflict, stress
b. Solitude, remoteness, lack of trails, dispersed camping
c. Signs, designated campsites, picnic tables, trail bridges
2. There is a direct relationship between the amount of use and the visitor
experience.
True
False
3. The Spatial Distribution of Use factor can influence the visitor experience in
both high and low use portions of the wilderness. For each situation described
below, select the most applicable potential impact.
Situation:
__ Low use areas
__High use camping or day use areas
Impact:
a. Loss of opportunity for solitude, new visitor created trails and campsites
b. Crowding, loss of desired opportunity for campsite selection, and
privacy
4. Select the three major factors related to Behavior and Type of Use that impact
visitor experience (select three answers).
a.
b.
c.
d.
Group size
Timing and location of use
Mode of travel
Inappropriate behavior
12
5. Select the tactics that could be used for implementing the Limit or Reduce Use
strategy for addressing social impacts (select all that apply).
Tactics:
a. Site changes (access and parking areas)
b. Trailhead kiosk
c. Mandatory pre-trip briefings
d. Site manipulation (campsites and trails)
e. LNT information on the back of permits
f. Regulations
g. One-on-on contact with rangers
h. Designated campsites
i. Quotas
6. Select the tactic that would not be effective for implementing the Modify
Location of Use strategy to address social impacts.
Tactics:
a. Site changes (access and parking areas)
b. Trailhead kiosk
c. Mandatory pre-trip briefings
d. Site manipulation (campsites and trails)
e. LNT information on the back of permits
f. Regulations
g. One-on-on contact with rangers
h. Designated campsites
i. Quotas
7. An open, desert or sub-alpine environment in which other visitors are readily
visible and noise carries well is an example of how environmental conditions can
contribute to the magnitude of the impacts on the visitor experience.
Open environments have no trees or other features to block noise and hide other
visitors. When visitors seeking a degree of solitude hear and see other visitors
their wilderness experience is impacted.
In these situations, managers can’t modify the environment but they can select
other strategies to insure that opportunities for a wilderness experience are not
impaired. Select the following strategies that could be used (select all that apply).
a. Modify visitor expectations
b. Modify type of use and visitor behavior
13
c. Modify location of use
d. Modify timing of use
e. Limit or reduce use
14
Test Questions for Module II.D.
Visitor Education
1. Select the education goal that best addresses how visitor education could
contribute to addressing the problem of non-native invasive plants in wilderness.
a. All known invasive plant populations will be inventoried and treated to
limit spread.
b. Adjacent land owners will be encouraged to treat weeds in areas
outside wilderness.
c. Invasive plant infestation areas of will be closed to prevent further
spread.
d. Visitors will use techniques for reducing the introduction and spread of
non-native invasive plant infestations.
2. The first step in developing an education program is to describe the issue. To
fully describe the issue, what three questions must be considered?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
What is the desired outcome?
Why is it a problem?
What it will cost to fix the problem?
Who will implement the education program?
How it is affecting wilderness?
3. For the issue, problem, and desired outcome shown below, select the best
answer to identify how this affects wilderness.
Issue: Visitor use impacts off managed trails
Problem: Monitoring shows an increase in visitors walking off managed
trails in the Arid Lands Wilderness.
Desired outcome: Visitors to the Arid Lands Wilderness will stay on
established trails.
a. The visitor-created trails are unsightly and readily apparent.
b. The new trails are not part of the managed trail system and must be
closed and restored by the trail crew, at significant cost to the agency.
c. The cryptogammic crust is a unique natural resource that contributes
to soil stability and wildlife habitat.
15
4. Match the five components of the audience communication process listed
below to the example best describing that component.
____ Deliver messages in a location that maximizes the chances of it
reaching the target audience.
____ Match the message to the values of the audience to increase
effectiveness.
____ Consider the different factors motivating visitor actions (unavoidable,
unintentional or uninformed, unskilled, careless or mindless, status
conforming, responsibility denial, malicious or willful) and the limits to
communicating messages effectively for each.
____ Avoid multiple, competing, complex, and confusing messages to
help ensure understanding.
____ Display the key points and make them relevant and interesting using
the optimal delivery medium in the optimal environment.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Exposure
Attention
Reception
Attitude change
Behavior
5. Match each of the four elements of wilderness education message
development to its definition.
____ Maximizes retention and recall of the message
____ Improves learning and retention in short-term memory
____ Improves learning and retention in long-term memory using sight,
sound, taste, smell or touch
____ Typically provides for the shallowest learning and recall potential
a.
b.
c.
d.
Facts
Meaning of facts
Sensory hook
Emotion/value
16
6. For the example education poster shown, match the different parts of the
message to either facts, meaning of facts, sensory hook, or
emotion/value.
17
__1
__2
__3
__4
__5
__6
__7
__8
a.
b.
c.
d.
Facts
Meaning of facts
Sensory hook
Emotion/value
7. Match the message delivery method or channel to the examples provided.
____ The Lots O’ Lakes Wilderness requires all visitors to obtain a permit
from an agency office or cooperator and watch a 10-minute Leave No
Trace video before beginning their trip.
____ The Scenic Canyons Wilderness recently completed a project to
upgrade all trailhead (entry portal) information boards to educate visitors
about the fragile desert environment and encourage travel on trails and
camping in existing campsites.
____ The Big Coast Wilderness has developed a new office display, web
page, and visitor brochures that inform visitors of the rare nesting bird
species and how to avoid adverse effects to the birds.
____ The Little Creek Wilderness has an innovative program that uses
Wilderness Rangers working alongside volunteers from local organized
user groups to contact visitors at trailheads and in the wilderness to
provide information on trail conditions, recreation opportunities, and Leave
No Trace techniques.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Off-site non-personal
On-site non-personal
Off-site personal
On-site personal
18
8. The success and value of a wilderness education program is defined and
accomplished by two key elements. Match the element to its definition.
____ The systematic measurement of the effectiveness of the program.
____ The systematic collection and documentation of information to track
program implementation.
a. Monitoring
b. Evaluation
19
Test Questions for Module III.A.
Monitoring Overview
1. Before selecting monitoring indicators or a monitoring system it is important to
understand what the objectives of the monitoring system are. Which of the
following should not be a primary objective of a monitoring system?
a. Determine trends for how human use and biophysical resource
conditions are changing
b. Create a baseline for planning and management
c. Identify threats to preservation of wilderness character
d. Determine whether direct or indirect management actions should be
implemented
e. Provide specific information on the effectiveness of management
actions
2. For the many wilderness management situations any number of indicators
could be used and the challenge is to select indicators that reveal conditions and
trends and can be compared to objectives and standards. When selecting
indicators, use the criteria shown below:






Information needed and how it will be used
Type of data to collect
Specific methods and equipment required
Visitor burden
Management costs
Accuracy
Example - Situation:
The popular areas of the Rock and Ice Wilderness receive heavy day and
overnight use during the early and wet part of the summer season. This portion
of the wilderness is mostly forested with trails following streams that serve as
habitat for listed fish species. Campsites are not designated but visitors are
encouraged to camp away from streams and lakes.
Example - Objectives for wilderness management:
The desired condition for the Rocks and Ice Wilderness is to maintain naturally
functioning ecosystems while maximizing opportunities for solitude or primitive
and unconfined recreation.
Example - Standards for wilderness management:
20



Protection of fish and wildlife habitat, especially for listed species, will be
ensured.
Limits or restrictions on visitor use activities are allowed only if they are the
minimum necessary for protection of the biophysical and social components
of the wilderness resource.
Trails and campsites shall be located and maintained to facilitate visitor
access and use without degradation of wilderness character.
For the situation described above, select the five most appropriate monitoring
indicators from the list of potential biophysical and social indicators provided
(select five answers).
Example - Potential monitoring indicators:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
Biophysical - Campsite numbers, location, conditions
Biophysical - Trail conditions
Biophysical - Water quality
Biophysical - Non-native invasive plant species
Biophysical - Fish and wildlife
Biophysical - Archaeological sites
Social - Use levels, location, timing
Social - Trail encounters
21
Test Questions for Module III.B.
Monitoring Campsite Impacts
1. Campsite monitoring includes a re-inventory of existing sites but does not
include the initial baseline inventory.
True
False
2. The campsite monitoring process provides essential information for
management of visitor use and helps managers minimize both the
biophysical and social impacts.
True
False
3. When planning a campsite monitoring program it is important to gain
institutional support before evaluating program needs. Select the best answer
below to explain why.
a. It’s important to know what resources are available and what types and
levels of impact would have to occur to cause a change in recreation
management.
b. If paid staff members are not available the program implementation
may need to be delayed.
c. The goal is to collect as much data as possible and without the support
of the agency administrators the task can’t be accomplished.
4. When planning a campsite monitoring program, it’s important to evaluate
program needs such as what information is needed and how the information will
be used. Which of the following factors should not be considered?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Do I need an inventory of all sites?
How many sites are there?
What impacts are of most concern?
What management actions should be taken?
How frequently should sites be monitored?
What resources are available (personnel, time, money)?
22
5. You need to select a campsite monitoring system which can quickly document
location and overall visual changes to all existing campsites and can be repeated
precisely by future staff. Right now only part time volunteers are available to
conduct the inventory. Which monitoring system would you select?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Photo points (photographs)
Overall condition class ratings
Multiple parameter categorical ratings (rapid survey)
Multiple parameter measures (detailed survey)
Hybrids/combinations
6. You need to select a campsite monitoring system which is low cost but will be
able to show large differences in conditions with future monitoring without
collecting a large amount of information. Which monitoring system would you
select?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Photo points (photographs)
Overall condition class ratings
Multiple parameter categorical ratings (rapid survey)
Multiple parameter measures (detailed survey)
Hybrids/combinations
7. You have a need to collect a high level of information in order to precisely
measure changes to individual campsites. You have a budget and crew that is
able to take the time to be accurate and precise. Which monitoring system would
you select?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Photo points (photographs)
Overall condition class ratings
Multiple parameter categorical ratings (rapid survey)
Multiple parameter measures (detailed survey)
Hybrids/combinations
23
Test Questions for Module III.C.
Monitoring Trail Impacts
1. Trail monitoring programs are designed to collect information necessary to
assess trail impacts resulting from visitor use. Which of the following are the
three types of trail impacts that should be monitored (select all that apply)?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Soil erosion
Grade
Length
Informal trails
Trail widening
Trail use
2. There are six steps in the process to develop and implement a trail impact
monitoring program listed below. Number them in the proper order.
___ Develop Monitoring Procedures
___ Review Existing Monitoring Approaches
___ Conduct Monitoring Fieldwork
___ Document Monitoring Protocols
___ Develop Analysis and Reporting Procedures
___ Evaluate Need for Monitoring Program
3. There are three common types of trail monitoring systems. Match the
descriptions of advantages and disadvantages to the monitoring system below.
__ Advantages: Rapid assessments. Disadvantages: Somewhat
subjective, lower sensitivity in detecting change, no information on specific
indicators.
__ Advantages: Relatively efficient, provides ratio level data on multiple
indicators, identifies locations of all trail impacts. Disadvantages: Must
predefine concerns, requires judgment on where concerns begin/end,
doesn’t characterize trail depth or width.
__ Advantages: Relatively efficient, provides ratio level data on multiple
indicators, defensible for setting standards. Disadvantages: Requires
more time to perform properly (training, and time spent in the field), does
not pinpoint locations of trail impact problems.
a. Point Sampling Surveys
24
b. Problem Assessment Surveys
c. Trail Condition Survey
4. For your wilderness there is a need for a trail monitoring system that provides
for a rapid assessment to identify the specific locations where trail conditions are
exceeding standards. This information will be used to schedule and prioritize the
trails crew’s work. Which method would you select?
a. Problem assessment method
b. Point sampling method
25
Test Questions for Module III.D.
Monitoring Visitor Use
1. Which of the following best describes the need for visitor use monitoring
(select all that apply)?
a.
b.
c.
d.
To insure visitor safety
To monitor trends
To relate use levels to resource conditions and experience quality
To provide public information
2. Put the following steps in the correct order for developing a visitor use
monitoring program.
_ Develop a sampling plan
Collect data
_ Select measurement techniques
_ Understand information needs
_ Analyze and use data
3. What are the factors or characteristics that should be considered when
selecting visitor use monitoring techniques?
a. Location of use, Timing of use, Resistance of the resource, Visitor
expectations, Visitor behavior
b. Information needed, Accuracy desired, Initial vs. on-going costs, Visitor
burden, Site considerations
c. Spatial distribution of use, Timing of use, Frequency of use, Type of
use and visitor behavior, Environmental conditions
4. When selecting measurement techniques for monitoring visitor use it is helpful
to consider a number of factors. Which measurement technique or method is
represented by the characteristics described below?




Information needed – can collect a variety of information including
group size
Accuracy desired – good with enforcement and compliance checking
Initial vs. on-going costs – high installation costs, low cost to operate
Visitor burden – can be perceived as burdensome, generally well
received
26

Site considerations (concentrated vs. dispersed use, number of access
points, timing of use) – requires a central location
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Trail counters
Observation
Voluntary trailhead registration
Mandatory trailhead registration/permits
Limited entry permits
5. Visitor use in the Wild World Wilderness has never been monitored and
managers are concerned about reported increases in both overnight and day use
at multiple trailheads that may have crossed a threshold for visitor use capacity.
There is little available funding but the local friends group has dozens of skilled
volunteers willing to help out as long as visitors will not be inconvenienced. The
trailheads all provide access through single pathways leading from the parking
areas.
Apply the factors listed below as criteria to select the best measurement
method or technique for this situation.
Factors and criteria:





Information needed
Accuracy desired
Initial vs. on-going costs
Visitor burden
Site considerations
Possible measurement techniques and methods:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Trail counters
Observation
Voluntary trailhead registration
Mandatory trailhead registration/permits
Limited entry permits
27
Test Questions for Module III.D.1.
Monitoring Visitor Encounters
Note: Since Module III.D.1. is optional, the final exam does not contain any
questions related to monitoring visitor encounters.
28