Spring snowpack influences in the volume and timing of spring and peak season overnight visitation to Yosemite Wilderness

IF 1.9 4区 地球科学 Q3 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
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引用次数: 1

Abstract

Wilderness visitation, particularly overnight use, is reactive to climate variability as backpackers face greater exposure to and dependence on environmental conditions. This study examines the effect that spring snowpack has on the timing and volume of permits issued for overnight use of the Yosemite Wilderness during peak and shoulder season months (April-October) from 2002-2019. We categorize April 1st snowpack at Tuolumne Meadows into snow drought (<75%), high snowpack (>125%), and near average snowpack (75-125%). Results confirm Wilderness-wide differences between snowpack categories, including change in spring overnight visitors (April-June: +20% snow drought, −28% high snowpack). Our findings confirm that snow drought allows for more access to high elevation trailheads when seasonal roads are open earlier in spring (May-June: +74% Tioga Road, +81% Tuolumne Meadows). Mid-to-high elevation trailheads experience a sustained increase in use during high snowpack years (June-October: +12% Yosemite Valley and Big Oak Flat, +15% Glacier Point Road and Wawona; +32% Hetch Hetchy) as a narrower seasonal access window leads to filled permit quotas in the high country and displaces use to lower elevation trailheads. These findings have implications for wilderness stewards, including biophysical and experiential impacts to wilderness character from earlier and longer seasons, especially at higher elevation and fragile alpine and sub-alpine areas, as snow drought in mountain protected areas becomes more common. Recommendations to address greater early season use and its attendant impacts include adaptively managing permits for different types of snowpack years, including potential changes in the number, timing, and destination of select trailhead quotas.
春季积雪影响了春季和旺季夜间参观约塞米蒂荒野的数量和时间
野外旅游,特别是夜间旅游,是对气候变化的反应,因为背包客面临更多的暴露和依赖于环境条件。本研究调查了2002-2019年旺季和平季(4月至10月)期间,春季积雪对优胜美地荒野夜间使用许可证发放的时间和数量的影响。我们将4月1日Tuolumne Meadows的积雪分为雪干旱(125%)和接近平均积雪(75-125%)。结果证实了荒野范围内积雪类别之间的差异,包括春季过夜游客的变化(4 - 6月:+20%雪旱,- 28%高积雪)。我们的研究结果证实,当季节性道路在春季早些时候开放时,雪旱允许更多的人进入高海拔的小径起点(5月至6月:+74%的泰奥加路,+81%的图勒姆草地)。在高积雪年份,中高海拔步道的使用率持续增加(6月至10月:约塞米蒂山谷和大橡树平原+12%,冰川点路和瓦沃纳+15%;+32% Hetch Hetchy),因为季节性通道窗口较窄,导致高海拔地区的许可证配额被填满,并取代了使用较低海拔的小径。这些发现对荒野管理具有启示意义,包括更早和更长的季节对荒野特征的生物物理和经验影响,特别是在高海拔和脆弱的高山和亚高山地区,因为山区保护区的雪旱变得更加普遍。为解决更多的早期使用季节及其随之而来的影响,建议包括适应性地管理不同类型积雪年的许可证,包括选择小径配额的数量、时间和目的地的潜在变化。
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来源期刊
Weather Climate and Society
Weather Climate and Society METEOROLOGY & ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES-
CiteScore
3.40
自引率
13.60%
发文量
95
审稿时长
>12 weeks
期刊介绍: Weather, Climate, and Society (WCAS) publishes research that encompasses economics, policy analysis, political science, history, and institutional, social, and behavioral scholarship relating to weather and climate, including climate change. Contributions must include original social science research, evidence-based analysis, and relevance to the interactions of weather and climate with society.
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