Using Animal Movement Theory to Inform Visitor Movement Research: Integrating Movement Ecology and Hierarchical Habitat Selection for Outdoor Recreation Contexts

Visitor movement research in outdoor recreation contexts generates information about recreation activity type, timing, and distribution. Much of this work is descriptive or exploratory, limiting the extent to which findings can be used for movement prediction. This is problematic for practitioners seeking to use information on visitor movement to proactively inform management decisions. Using theory to inform visitor movement research can overcome these limitations, increasing the utility of research to make predictions. Drawing from animal ecology, we present an integrated movement ecology and hierarchical habitat selection framework as a theory-based approach for studying visitor movement. We operationalize framework constructs for visitor movement, identify human dimensions literature congruent with this approach, and provide examples to illustrate application. Using the proposed framework will strengthen visitor movement research by providing theory to guide variable identification, identifying relationships for hypothesis testing, increasing the generalizability of findings, and moving the field toward movement prediction.