Page 73 - A bird’s-eye view of recreation - Rogier Pouwels

Relating local impacts to regional conservation targets
observed difference in significant model parameters. It can be argued that Woodlark and Stonechat use the area at a larger spatial scale for foraging during the presence of visitors and therefore not only the pairs that breed near the trail network are affected by visitors but also birds that breed within the area itself.
The assessment showed that only for Woodlark populations at the Veluwe are the
effects of recreational impacts such that they fall below the set targets. This result
contradicts the assumption in the current draft of the management plan for the
Veluwe area that for this species recreation has an impact, but does not threaten the
conservation target (Province of Gelderland, 2009). In order to increase the Woodlark
population in the Veluwe managers are able to choose between many management
options (i.e. Mallord et al., 2007). There are several options regarding reducing visitor
densities or redirecting visitors to areas that are less sensitive for visitors (Eagles et al.,
2002, Stigner et al., 2016). The spatial output of the statistical models can be useful
for managers in discussing these options with stakeholders (Fig. 3). Spatial maps in
particular provide guidance for the targeting of regional policies such as the ‘grow and 4 reduce’ approach of the Province of Gelderland. This policy divides the Veluwe in areas
where an increase in holiday accommodations is allowed and areas where a decrease is aimed for (Province of Gelderland, 2009). However, focusing conservation actions on one species, i.e. changes in accessibility for visitors, might have an impact on the habitat quality of other species in other parts of the protected area. The recreation models can be used to predict the effect of the management options on the spatial distribution of visitors for the area. The regression models for Stonechat and Nightjar can be used to predict if the impact of these options will lead to a conflict for these species or not.
The maps not only provide insight into potential conflicts between breeding birds and recreation, but also locations for possible solutions (Pouwels et al., 2011). For example, the output of the Woodlark model shows that many areas with high predicted densities coincide with areas with high visitor densities resulting in a decrease up to 25 breeding pairs per 100 ha (Fig. 3). As the Veluwe is managed by different nature organizations and private and public owners detailed information about where measures might have an effect is crucial in defining responsibilities regarding the realization of conservation targets (EC, 2014). The maps could enable managers and other key actors to collaborate on a management plan for the whole area, where measures can be defined with details about landownership, size and location and allow them to discuss how available funds should be shared between the responsible managers. The integration of local and
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