Comparing Manager and Visitor Perceptions of Llama Use in Wilderness

摘要

Llama use in wilderness is projected to increase over the next 5 years. While thegreatest concerns about this increase in use are unexpected impacts to native flora, impacts to native fauna, and conflicts with other user types, there is also concern about how prepared managers are to deal with this increasing recreation demand. This research compares manager attitudes and knowledge to those of hikers, horseback riders, and commercial llama customers in the Intermountain West. With managers' expectations that all packstock use will continue to increase in the near future, this assessment of differences in attitudes will help in understanding current positions regarding impacts of llama use in wilderness.