• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.615-625
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• 2015

This study examined the effects of wildlife or wildlife species on national park visitors' perception of place attributes and recreational experiences. Data were collected from 502 users of Seongsamjae Rest area and Nogodan Shelter area in Jirisan National Park and 173 college students during May-June 2014 using survey questionnaire. Some simulated photographs of water deer and Asiatic black bears were used for the college student survey. Overall, awareness about wildlife inhabiting in Jirisan National Park (AW) was not related with one's perception of place attributes (PPA) (i.e., crowdedness, naturalness, safety) and types of visitors' recreational experiences. Respondents with higher awareness about the presence of Asiatic black bear (AABB), however, tended to perceive Jirisan National Park as a place that provides 'wild' or 'natural' recreational opportunities compared to those with lower AABB. Differences in PPA (i.e., crowdedness, naturalness, safety) and types of recreational experiences were also found to be influenced by wildlife species. Respondents exposed to bear or water deer tended to perceive their recreational experiences as more 'wild'. Existence of wildlife in Jirisan National Park had a positive effect on the quality of visitors' recreational experiences. Different wildlife species showed different levels of effectiveness to quality enhancement of recreational experience. Some practical implications of the study were discussed from a managerial point of view.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.389-397
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to analyze visitors' behavior in Hallyo-Haesang National Park, Korea. To accomplish the purpose, questionnaire survey, using self-developed questions, was employed from August 21 to 23 in 1998. 303 samples for the survey were selected in 4 different zones(Koje, Tongyong, Namhae, and Odongdo) within park boundary. As the results, socioeconomic characteristics, such as gender, education and income level, age, and others, were showed similar trends with results from visitor surveys in other national parks. Most respondents were pointed out unintentional violation due to habit as a major reason of littering. And, majority of respondents didn't know the Clean-up-Time Movement Program in this park. In addition, ecosystem condition, natural landscape, trash problem, safety, and kindness of park rangers were recognized as the major influencing factors that can affect to visitors' recreation experience in this park but existing conditions for each influencing factor were evaluated lower than level of their expectation. Overall level of recreation satisfaction in Hanryohaesang national park were, however, perceived in the affirmative.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.603-612
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• 2009

This study was conducted to provide information which will be useful for establishing and implementing effective management policy for Baekdudaegan Trail and user satisfaction by investigating the characteristics of trail use and users' perceptions of the environmental impacts on the trail. For this purpose, a questionnaire survey was employed in Baekdudaegan trail by three topological types. With this classification, the characteristics of the way the trails used and users' perceptions of the impacts were analysed in terms of ecological, physical and social environments. The result showed that the Baekdudaegan trail was used mainly for mountaineering rather vacation or travel, and found no differences in the characteristics of the trail use by the types. Ecological environment showed no significant relation with user satisfaction, however changes in physical environmental factors such as a trail width functioned as a negative component to decrease use experience. In addition, the satisfaction of the users had little to do with social environment, when the level of using the trail was relatively low. To present, the levels of impacts on ecological, physical and social environments and the users' satisfaction level regarding the Baekdudaegan trail appear to be positive. However, the increase of use level is expected in the future, and therefore systematic managerial measures need to be implemented to monitor the changes of the trails and interactions of the environmental impacts.