Jeff Marion, Ph.D.
Jeff is a Research Biologist at the Eastern Ecological Science Center at Blacksburg, VA.
Jeff Marion grew up exploring the woods, streams, and caves of Kentucky, developing strong interests in nature study and high adventure outdoor activities. One of four Eagle Scouts in his family, he served for five summers at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, teaching backpacking and climbing skills. Coursework in biology, ecology, and geology at Wittenberg University led to a B.S. in Biology (1979), and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Recreation Resources Management from the University of Minnesota (1982/84). Graduate studies focused on recreation ecology research, combining strong personal interests in the ecological sciences with his continuing passion for outdoor recreational pursuits, particularly backpacking, climbing, caving, and canoeing. His doctoral research measured camping-associated environmental impacts in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to investigate relationships between biophysical impacts, amount ofuse, and plant community, soil, and ecological classifications.
Professional Experience
8/97-2001 - DOI, U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Title: Research Biologist Duties: Unit Leader for the PWRC Virginia Tech Field Station. Conducted recreation ecology research to evaluate visitor impacts to protected natural areas.
11/94-7/97 - DOI, National Biological Survey, Div. of Cooperative Research, Blacksburg, VA Title: Research Biologist Duties: Unit Leader, Cooperative Park Studies Unit. Conducted recreation ecology research.
6/85-10/94 - DOI, National Park Service, Mid-Atlantic Region Title: Research Biologist Duty Stations: 1) Virginia Tech; Blacksburg, VA and 2) Delaware Water Gap NRA; Milford, PA Dates: 1) 10/89-10/94 2) 6/85-9/89 Duties: Unit Leader, Cooperative Park Studies Unit (when at VT). Conducted recreation ecology research.
12/84-5/85 - University of Wisconsin, Park, Recreation & Resource Management program, River Falls, WI Title: Assistant Professor
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Recreation Resources Management, 3/82-7/84, Univ. of Minnesota - Forest Resources
M.S. Recreation Resources Management, 9/80-3/82, Univ. of Minnesota - Forest Resources
Environmental Science, 9/79-6/80, Duke University - School of the Environment (transferred)
B.A. Biology, 9/75-6/79, Wittenberg University
Science and Products
A survey of whitewater recreation impacts along five West Virginia rivers
An evaluation of camping impacts and their management at Isle Royale National Park
Campsite survey implications for managing designated campsites at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
An assessment of campsite conditions in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Spatial and temporal variation in soil and vegetation impacts on campsites
Recreation management in natural areas: Problems and practices, status and trends
Managing designated campsites: Survey implications from Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Trail degradation as influenced by environmental factors: A state-of-the-knowledge review
Leave no trace outdoor skills and ethics: An educational solution for reducing visitor impacts
Environmental auditing: Capabilities and management utility of recreation impact monitoring programs
Assessing campsite conditions for limits of acceptable change management in Shenandoah National Park
A survey of campsite conditions in eleven wilderness areas of the Jefferson National Forest. Final Report
Science and Products
- Science
- Multimedia
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 121
A survey of whitewater recreation impacts along five West Virginia rivers
Results are reported from an assessment of whitewater river recreation impacts at river accesses and recreation sites along five West Virginia rivers: the New, Gauley, Cheat, Tygart, and Shenandoah. Procedures were developed and applied to assess resource conditions on 24 river access roads, 68 river accesses, and 151 recreation sites. The majority of river accesses and recreation sites are locaAuthorsY.-F. Leung, J. L. MarionAn evaluation of camping impacts and their management at Isle Royale National Park
Results from the development and application of a monitoring program to assess visitor impacts on back-country campsites at Isle Royale National Park are presented. Survey staff assessed conditions on 244 sites within 36 back-country campgrounds, including 113 individual campsites, 43 group campsites, and 88 shelters. Site conditions are generally quite good. Site size and other areal measuresAuthorsT. A. Farrell, J. L. MarionCampsite survey implications for managing designated campsites at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Backcountry campsites and shelters in Great Smoky Mountains National Park were surveyed in 1993 as part of a new impact monitoring program. A total of 395 campsites and shelters were located and assessed, including 309 legal campsites located at 84 designated campgrounds, 68 illegal campsites, and 18 shelters. Primary campsite management problems identified by the survey include: (1) campsite prAuthorsJ. L. Marion, Y.-F. LeungAn assessment of campsite conditions in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
This research effort designed and implemented a backcountry campsite monitoring program for Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). This report reviews the need for visitor impact monitoring programs, describes monitoring procedures developed and applied at GSMNP, presents results from the first monitoring cycle, evaluates current park camping management policies, and provides recommendationAuthorsJ. L. Marion, Y-L LeungSpatial and temporal variation in soil and vegetation impacts on campsites
We studied the impacts of camping on soil and vegetation at Delaware Water Gap national Recreation Area. We assessed the magnitude of impact on campsites that varied in amount of use and in topographic position. We also evaluated change over a 5-yr period on long-established, recently opened, and recently closed campsites, as well as on plots subjected to experimental trampling. Campsite impacts wAuthorsJeffrey L. Marion, David N. ColeRecreation management in natural areas: Problems and practices, status and trends
No abstract available.AuthorsR.E. Manning, N.L. Ballinger, J. L. MarionManaging designated campsites: Survey implications from Great Smoky Mountains National Park
No abstract available.AuthorsJ. L. Marion, Y.-F. LeungTrail degradation as influenced by environmental factors: A state-of-the-knowledge review
Excerpt: Human use and misuse of land has been causing extensive degradation of the very natural resources on which we depend. National parks, wilderness and other protected natural or semi-natural areas (referred to as natural areas hereafter) represent efforts to preserve our natural heritage from further exploitation. Such areas also provide outstanding recreational, research, and educationalAuthorsY.-F. Leung, J. L. MarionLeave no trace outdoor skills and ethics: An educational solution for reducing visitor impacts
No abstract available.AuthorsJ. L. Marion, S.C. BrameEnvironmental auditing: Capabilities and management utility of recreation impact monitoring programs
A recreation impact monitoring system was developed and applied in 1984?1986 and in 1991 to all backcountry river-accessed campsites within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Results suggest that actions implemented by park managers in response to problems identified by the initial survey were highly effective in reducing resource degradation caused by campinAuthorsJ. L. MarionAssessing campsite conditions for limits of acceptable change management in Shenandoah National Park
No abstract available.AuthorsP.W. Williams, J. L. MarionA survey of campsite conditions in eleven wilderness areas of the Jefferson National Forest. Final Report
No abstract available.AuthorsY.-F. Leung, J. L. Marion - News