Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Wintering Waterbirds and Recreationists in Natural Areas: A Sociological Approach to the Awareness of Bird Disturbance

  • Published:
Environmental Management Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Disturbance to wintering birds by human recreational activities has become a major concern for managers of many natural areas. Few studies have examined how recreationists perceive their effects on birds, although this impacts their behavior on natural areas. We surveyed 312 users on two coastal ornithological sites in Brittany, France, to investigate their perception of the effects of human activities on wintering birds. The results show that the awareness of environmental issues and knowledge of bird disturbance depends on the socioeconomic characteristics of each user group, both between the two sites and within each site. Results also indicate that, whatever the site and the user group, the vast majority of the respondents (77.6 %) believed that their own presence had no adverse effects on the local bird population. Various arguments were put forward to justify the users’ own harmlessness. Objective information on recreationists’ awareness of environmental issues, and particularly on their own impact on birds, is important to guide managers in their choice of the most appropriate visitor educational programs. We recommend developing global but also specific educational information for each type of user to raise awareness of their own impact on birds.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. Gâvres had been a shooting range and a military training center since 1830.

References

  • Audélor (2007) Les revenus des ménages de Cap L’Orient en 2005. Agence d’Urbanisme et de Développement économique du Pays de Lorient (Audélor), Communication 18

  • Bath AJ (1998) Beliefs about wildlife-related recreation in Montana. Human dimensions of wildlife. Ursus 10:349–355

    Google Scholar 

  • Béchet A, Giroux JF, Gauthier G (2004) The effects of disturbance on behaviour, habitat use and energy of spring staging snow geese. J Appl Ecol 41(4):689–700

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bélanger L, Bédard J (1990) Energetic cost of man-induced disturbance to staging snow geese. J Wildl Manag 54(1):36–41

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blanc R, Guillemain M, Mouronval JB, Desmonts D, Fritz H (2006) Effects of non-consumptive leisure disturbance to wildlife. Revue d’écologie (Terre Vie) 61:117–133

    Google Scholar 

  • Bouton SN, Frederick PC (2003) Stakeholders’ perceptions of a wading bird colony as a community resource in the Brazilian Pantanal. Conserv Biol 17(1):297–306

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cline R, Sexton N, Stewart SC (2007) A human-dimensions review of human–wildlife disturbance: a literature review of impacts, frameworks, and management solutions. U.S. Geological Survey, Open-File Report 2007-1111

  • Cooper T, Shaw W, King D (1981) Wildlife related recreational uses of the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro, New Mexico, 1980–1981. Preliminary Rep., U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Univ. Arizona, Tuscon

  • Cornelius C, Navarrete SA, Marquet PA (2001) Effects of human activity on the structure of coastal marine bird assemblages in central Chile. Conserv Biol 15(5):1396–1404

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davidson N (1997) Waterbirds and recreation: considerations for the sustainable management of wetlands. Gibier Faune Sauvage Game Wildl 14(2):211–225

    Google Scholar 

  • DDE (2001) Schéma de Mise en valeur de la Mer. Golfe du Morbihan. Direction Départementale de l’Equipement, Direction Départementale des Affaires Maritimes, Direction Régionale de l’Environnement Bretagne, Vannes

  • Dolsen DE, McCollough SA, Dusek GL, Weigand JP (1996) Beliefs about wildlife-related recreation in Montana. Hum Dimens Wildl 1(1):83–84

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dorwart CE, Leung YF, Moore R (2004) Managing visitors’ perceptions. Parks Recreat 5:24–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Duda MD (1987) Floridians and wildlife: sociological implications for wildlife conservation in Florida. Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, Nongame Wildlife Tech. Rep. 2, Tallahassee

  • Evans DM, Warrington S (1997) The effects of recreational disturbance on wintering waterbirds on a mature gravel pit lake near London. Int J Environ Stud 53(3):167–182

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fazio JR, Gilbert DL (1986) Public relations and communications for natural resource managers, 2nd edn. Kendall Hunt, Dubuque

    Google Scholar 

  • Fennel DA (2001) Areas and needs in ecotourism research. In: Weaver DB (ed) The encyclopedia of ecotourism. CAB International, New York, pp 639–653

    Google Scholar 

  • Féret M, Gauthier G, Béchet A, Giroux JF, Hobson KA (2003) Effect of a spring hunt on nutrient storage by greater snow geese in southern Quebec. J Wildl Manag 67(4):796–807

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flather CH, Cordell HK (1995) Outdoor recreation: historical and anticipated trends. In: Knight RL, Gutzwiller KG (eds) Wildlife and recreationists: coexistence through research and management. Island Press, Washington, DC, pp 3–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Frid A, Dill L (2002) Human-caused disturbance stimuli as a form of predation risk. Conserv Ecol 6(1):1–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Galicia E, Baldassarre GA (1997) Effects of motorized tourboats on the behavior of nonbreeding American flamingos in Yucatan, Mexico. Conserv Biol 11(5):1159–1165

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gélinaud G, Rebout C (2002) Inventaire cartographique et état de conservation des espèces de faune et de flore d’intérêt patrimonial sur les sites Natura 2000 du golfe du Morbihan, rivière de Pénerf, marais de Suscinio. Direction régionale de l’environnement Bretagne, Bretagne Vivante—SEPNB

  • Gill JA, Sutherland WJ (1996) A method to quantify the effects of human disturbance on animal populations. J Appl Ecol 33(4):786–792

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goss-Custard JD, Triplet P, Sueur F, West AD (2006) Critical thresholds of disturbance by people and raptors in foraging wading birds. Biol Conserv 127:88–97

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grossberg R, Treves A, Naughton-Treves L (2003) The incidental ecotourist: measuring visitor impacts on endangered howler monkeys at a Belizean archeological site. Environ Conserv 30:40–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hill D, Hockin D, Price D, Tucker G, Morris R, Treweek J (1997) Bird disturbance: improving the quality and utility of disturbance research. J Appl Ecol 34:275–288

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson SA, Bjorndal KA, Bolten AB (1996) A survey of organized turtle watch participants on sea turtle nesting beaches in Florida. Chelonian Conserv Biol 2(1):60–65

    Google Scholar 

  • Kellert SR (1980) American attitudes toward and knowledge of animals: an update. Int J Study Anim Probl 1:87–119

    Google Scholar 

  • Kellert SR (1984) Urban American perceptions of animals and the natural environment. Urban Ecol 8:209–228

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klein ML (1993) Waterbird behavioral responses to human disturbances. Wildl Soc Bull 21:31–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Corre N (2009) Le dérangement de l’avifaune sur les sites naturels protégés de Bretagne : état des lieux, enjeux et réflexions autour d’un outil d’étude des interactions hommes/oiseaux. Phd in Geography, Université Européenne de Bretagne, Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer, Brest

  • Le Corre N, Brigand B, Gélinaud G (2009) Bird disturbance on conservation sites in Brittany (France): the standpoint of geographers. J Coast Conserv. doi:10.1007/s11852-009-0057-8

  • Le Corre N, Brigand L, Gélinaud G, Le Berre S (2012) Dérangement de l’avifaune: croiser étude de fréquentation et suivi naturaliste dans le cadre d’un outil d’aide à la gestion. In: Triplet P (ed) Manuel d’étude et de gestion des oiseaux et de leurs habitats en zones côtières. Aesturia 17, pp 407–448

  • Le Dréan-Quénec’hdu S, Mahéo R (2003) Site Natura 2000 FR 5300027 « Massif dunaire de Gâvres Quiberon et zones humides associées » et zones de protection spéciale FR5310093 Baie de Quiberon et FR5310094 Rade de Lorient. Avifaune : état des connaissances. Eco-Ouest, DIREN Bretagne, SIVU Grand Site Gâvres Quiberon

  • Lepage D, Gauthier G, Menu S (2000) Reproductive consequences of egg-laying decisions in Snow Geese. J Anim Ecol 69:414–427

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lothian A (2002) Australian attitudes towards the environment. Aust J Environ Manag 9(1):45–61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Madsen J (1995) Impacts of disturbance on migratory waterfowl. Ibis 137:67–74

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Madsen J (1998) Experimental refuges for migratory waterfowl in Danish wetlands. I. Baseline assessment of the disturbance effects of recreational activities. J Appl Ecol 35:386–397

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mainguy J, Bêty J, Gauthier G, Giroux JF (2002) Are body condition and reproductive effort of laying greater snow geese affected by the spring hunt? Condor 104:156–162

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meur-Férec C (2007) Entre surfréquentation et sanctuarisation des espaces littoraux de nature. L’Espace géographique 1(36):41–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Mounet JP (2007) Sports de nature, développement durable et controverse environnementale. Nat Sci Soc 15:162–166

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Orsini JP, Newsome D (2005) Human perceptions of hauled out Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea) and implications for management: a case study from Carnac Island, Western Australia. Tour Mar Environ 2:129–132

    Google Scholar 

  • Platteeuw M, Henkens R (1997) Possible impacts of disturbance to waterbirds: individuals, carrying capacity and populations. Wildfowl 48:225–236

    Google Scholar 

  • Priskin J (2003) Tourist perceptions of degradation caused by coastal nature-based recreation. Environ Manag 32(2):189–204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Quan RC, Xianji W, Yang X (2002) Effects of human activities on migratory waterbirds at Lashihai Lake, China. Biol Conserv 108:273–279

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Riddington R, Hassal M, Lane SJ, Turner PA, Walters R (1996) The impact of disturbance on the behaviour and energy budgets of Brent Geese Branta b. bernicla. Bird Study 43(3):269–279

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rocamora G, Yeatman-Berthelot D (1999) Oiseaux menacés et à surveiller en France: listes rouges et recherche de priorités. Société d’études ornithologiques de France/LPO, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott GW, Niggebrugge AR, Sweeney B (1996) Avian habituation to recreational disturbance on the North Yorkshire coast. Naturalist 121(1016):11–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Seketa G (1978) Management of public lands in an environmentally-awakening society. In: Kirkpatrick CM (ed) Wildlife and people. Proceedings of the John W. Wright forestry conference, Purdue Univ. Press, pp 66–80

  • Stalmaster MV, Kaiser JL (1998) Effects of recreational activity on wintering bald eagles. Wildl Monogr 137:1–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Sterl P, Brandenburg C, Arnberger A (2008) Visitor’s awareness and assessment of recreational disturbance of wildlife in the Donau-Auen National Park. J Nat Conserv 16:135–145

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steven R, Pickering C, Castley JG (2011) A review of the impacts of nature based recreation on birds. J Environ Manag 92:2287–2294

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stillman RA, West AD, Caldow RWG, Durel SEALeVdit (2007) Predicting the effect of disturbance on coastal birds. Ibis 149:73–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tamisier A, Béchet A, Jarry G, Lefeuvre JC, Le Maho Y (2003) Effets du dérangement par la chasse sur les oiseaux d’eau. Revue d’écologie (Terre Vie) 58:435–449

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor AR, Knight RL (2003) Wildlife responses to recreation and associated visitor perceptions. Ecol Appl 13(4):951–963

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Triplet P, Sournia A, Joyeux E, Le Dréan-Quénec’Hdu S (2003) Activités humaine et dérangements: l’exemple des oiseaux d’eau. Alauda 71(3):305–316

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsiafouli MA, Apostolopoulou E, Mazaris AD, Kallimanis AS, Drakou EG, Pantis JD (2013) Human activities in Natura 2000 sites: a highly diversified conservation network. Environ Manag 51:1–9. doi:10.1007/s00267-013-0036-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Liere KD, Dunlap RE (1980) The social bases of environmental concern: a review of hypothesis. Explanation and empirical evidence. Public Opin Q 44:181–199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Webb NV, Blumstein DT (2005) Variation in human disturbance differentially affects predation risk assessment in western gulls. Condor 107:178–181

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • West AD, Goss-Custard JD, Stillman RA, Caldow RWG, Le. V. dit Durell SEA, McGrorty S (2002) Predicting the impacts of disturbance on shorebird mortality using a behaviour-based model. Biol Conserv 106:319–328

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the Regional Department of the Environment, Planning and Housing (Direction Régionale de l’Environnement, de l’Aménagement et du Logement—Dréal Bretagne) and the Nature reserve of Marais de Séné (Réserve Naturelle des Marais de Séné) for their interest in our research and the financial support in our project.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut Universitaire Européen de la mer—Laboratoire Géomer (UMR 6554), Technopôle Brest Iroise, Rue Dumont d’Urville, Plouzané, Bretagne, 29280, France

    Nicolas Le Corre

  2. Institut Universitaire Européen de la mer—Laboratoire LETG-Brest-Géomer (UMR 6554 CNRS), Plouzané, Bretagne, France

    Ingrid Peuziat, Louis Brigand & Catherine Meur-Férec

  3. Réserve Naturelle des Marais de Séné, Séné, Bretagne, France

    Guillaume Gélinaud

Authors
  1. Nicolas Le Corre
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ingrid Peuziat
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Louis Brigand
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Guillaume Gélinaud
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Catherine Meur-Férec
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nicolas Le Corre.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Le Corre, N., Peuziat, I., Brigand, L. et al. Wintering Waterbirds and Recreationists in Natural Areas: A Sociological Approach to the Awareness of Bird Disturbance. Environmental Management 52, 780–791 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-013-0118-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-013-0118-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation