Adventure Tourism in Alaska

Abstract

Adventure tourism numbers are estimated for Alaska and the impacts on wildlife are considered in detail. This wildlife includes: black and brown bears, bear-viewing tourism and its management approaches; the impacts on Dall sheep; the effects of winter recreation on ungulates, including mountain caribou; the recreational impacts on bird populations, including bald eagles, black oystercatchers and marbled murrelets; and whale-watching and harbour seal impacts. The effects of recreation caused by camping, hiking trampling pressure on tundra, the invasive plant spread along trails and the development of informal trails in Arctic wildlife refuges are considered. The impacts of off-road vehicles on tundra, helicopter-supported recreation impacts and the effects of waste produced by climbers on Mount McKinley are evaluated. Finally, the effects of recreational fishing and some impacts on native human populations are discussed.