Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to decompose the effect of resources of natural parks(NP) on user's satisfaction to answer the research question: What are the causal effects of resources of natural parks on user\ulcorner After reviewing the literature, classification of resources of NP, various approaches and analysis methods employed, we constructed the conceptual framework and have formulated the hypothesis of this research. We had obtained data through a questionnaire, which surveyed 414 visitors at 6 of the 73 NP in Korea in 2001, based on a stratified sampling method. We have analyzed the data using descriptive statistical methods, Pearson's correlation analysis, and a path analysis method. We found that 1) While the indirect effect of topographical feature and valley(TFV), socio-cultural resources(SCR), and climate, sound, and scent(CSS) turned out to be 2.75, 1.20, and 2.00 times higher than that of wild animal and plant(WAP), the direct effect of TFV, SCR, and landscape turned out to be 2.95, 2.88, and 2.64 times higher than that of CSS, 2) The magnitude of causal effects of the three exogeneous variables of TFV, WAP, and SCR and two intervening variables of CSS and landscape on User's satisfaction turned out to be 0.403, 0.048, 0.323, 0.188, and 0.243, respectively, 3) Total direct effect of the exogeneous and intervening variables on user's satisfaction is 0.871, while that of indirect effect is 0.334, and 4) Causal effect of tangible resources is 1.80 times higher than that of intangible while total effect of tangible resources are 1.36 times higher than that of intangible. The research results suggest that 1) Criteria for designation and maintenances of NP and results of previous studies on resources turned out to be unreliable and distorted, 2) In the criteria of planning and maintenance of NP, intangible resources must be included, 3) Remedial directions to increase user's satisfaction should be focused on maintenance of TFV and landscape in NP, and 4) The approach and path analysis adopted by this research is valid and highly useful for other resource based recreation area. It is recommended that more empirical study on seasonal variation of resources in NP based user's preference be performed in the future.
