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
Camping impact management at Isle Royale National Park: an evaluation of visitor activity containment policies from the perspective of social conditions
Recreation impacts and management in wilderness: A state-of-knowledge review
Wilderness campsite conditions under an unregulated camping policy: an eastern example
Assessing trail conditions in protected areas: Application of a problem-assessment method in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA
Offroad vehicle riders in Big Cypress National Preserve: Results from a survey of permit holders
The influence of sampling interval on the accuracy of trail impact assessment
Characterizing backcountry camping impacts in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
May the forethought (and studies) be with your campsite-protection planning!
Spatial strategies for managing visitor impacts in National Parks
Recreation ecology research findings: Implications for wilderness and park managers
Managing ecotourism visitation in protected areas
International impact research and management
Science and Products
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Camping impact management at Isle Royale National Park: an evaluation of visitor activity containment policies from the perspective of social conditions
A survey of backcountry and wilderness campsites at Isle Royale National Park reveals that the park?s policies for managing visitor impacts have been remarkably effective in limiting the areal extent of camping-related disturbance. However, the dense spatial arrangement of designated campsites within backcountry campgrounds has also contributed to problems with visitor crowding and conflict. OnlyAuthorsT. A. Farrell, J. L. MarionRecreation impacts and management in wilderness: A state-of-knowledge review
This paper reviews the body of literature on recreation resource impacts and their management in the United States, with a primary focus on research within designated wildernesses during the past 15 years since the previous review (Cole 1987b). Recreation impacts have become a salient issue among wilderness scientists, managers and advocates alike. Studies of recreation impacts, referred to as rAuthorsY.-F. Leung, J. L. MarionWilderness campsite conditions under an unregulated camping policy: an eastern example
This study identified and assessed 110 campsites in seven designated wilderness areas in the Jefferson National Forest of Virginia. The campsites were unevenly distributed within each wilderness, concentrating along trail corridors and near popular destination areas. With a few exceptions, most campsites surveyed were in good condition. The findings indicate that management actions should be direcAuthorsY.-F. Leung, J. L. MarionAssessing trail conditions in protected areas: Application of a problem-assessment method in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA
The degradation of trail resources associated with expanding recreation and tourism visitation is a growing management problem in protected areas worldwide. In order to make judicious trail and visitor management decisions, protected area managers need objective and timely information on trail resource conditions. This paper introduces a trail survey method that efficiently characterizes the locatAuthorsYu-Fai Leung, Jeffrey L. MarionOffroad vehicle riders in Big Cypress National Preserve: Results from a survey of permit holders
A survey of 800 offroad vehicle (ORV) owners at Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida, was conducted to obtain information on visitor characteristics and management preferences. This report characterizes survey results for riders of all-terrain vehicles, swamp buggies, standard 4-wheeled street vehicles, and airboats. Riders tended to feel satisfied with their ORV experiences and Preserve condiAuthorsT. Farrell, A. Kendra, J. Roggenbuck, T. Hall, J. L. MarionThe influence of sampling interval on the accuracy of trail impact assessment
Trail impact assessment and monitoring (IA&M) programs have been growing in importance and application in recreation resource management at protected areas. Census-based and sampling-based approaches have been developed in such programs, with systematic point sampling being the most common survey design. This paper examines the influence of sampling interval on the accuracy of estimates for seleAuthorsY.-F. Leung, J. L. MarionCharacterizing backcountry camping impacts in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
This investigates resource impacts on backcounty campsites in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA. Study objectives were to enhance our understanding of camping impacts and to improve campsite impact assessment procedures by means of multivariate techniques. Three-hundred and eight campsites at designated backcountry campgrounds, and 69 additional unofficial campsites were assessed. FacAuthorsY.-F. Leung, J. L. MarionMay the forethought (and studies) be with your campsite-protection planning!
Visitation has reached record levels along the Appalachian Trail, a 2000+ mile footpath extending from Maine to Georgia along the crest of the Appalachian Mountains. Camping impacts associated with this use have also expanded rapidly in recent years, particularly in popular National Parks and at attraction features such as lakes and ponds. This article reviews recreation ecology research on campAuthorsJ. L. Marion, R. D. ProudmanSpatial strategies for managing visitor impacts in National Parks
Resource and social impacts caused by recreationists and tourists have become a management concern in national parks and equivalent protected areas. The need to contain visitor impacts within acceptable limits has prompted park and protected area managers to implement a wide variety of strategies and actions, many of which are spatial in nature. This paper classifies and illustrates the basic spaAuthorsY.-F. Leung, J. L. MarionRecreation ecology research findings: Implications for wilderness and park managers
Recreationists unintentionally trample vegetation, erode soil, and disturb wildlife. Such human-related impacts present a dilemma for managers charged with the dual objectives of providing recreational opportunities and preserving natural environments. This paper presents some of the principal findings and management implications from research on visitor impacts to protected areas, termed recreaAuthorsJ. L. MarionManaging ecotourism visitation in protected areas
Ecotourism management seeks to integrate and balance several potentially conflicting objectives: protection of natural and cultural resources, provision of recreation opportunities and generation of economic benefits. In the absence of effective planning and management, ecotourism can lead to significant negative impacts on vegetation, soil, water, wildlife, historic resources, cultures, and visiAuthorsJ. L. Marion, T. A. FarrellInternational impact research and management
To be sustainable, ecotourism requires the protection of natural environments and processes both from development and operation of the tourism infrastructure, and from the activities of ecotourists within protected areas. This book chapter reviews the international literature on the study of visitor or recreation-related resource impacts with special reference to ecotourism. Four case examples aAuthorsJ. L. Marion, Y. Leung - News