Abstract

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Spatial Analysis of National Forest Visitors Based on ZIP Code
Track: Parks and Natural Reserves
Author(s): I-Kuai Hung, Michael Legg

The Angelina, David Crockett, and Sabine National Forests are located in rural, east Texas. Each provides a wide variety of outdoor recreation opportunities. In this study, Home ZIP Code data visitors provide when registering at developed recreation areas were processed in GIS. Point locations were designated based on the centroid of each ZIP Code area with the number of total visitor-days spent at a recreation area as its associated attribute. The geographic distribution and pattern of visitor origins were identified for each Forest. Local measure of spatial dependence was conducted to detect hot spots. Travel distances from each ZIP Code to a recreation site were also calculated in order to distinguish visitation patterns for each Forest. Finally, geographically weighted regression was used to model potential visitor origins based on location, travel distance, and demographic characteristics. Such models are useful in planning distribution of recreation opportunities by agencies.

I-Kuai Hung
Stephen F. Austin State University
Box 6109, SFA Station
Nacogdoches , TX 75962
US
Phone: 936-468-2464
E-mail: hungi@sfasu.edu

Michael Legg
Stephen F. Austin State University
P.O. Box 6109, SFA Station
Nacogdoches , TX 75962-6109
US
Phone: 936-468-2246
E-mail: mlegg@sfasu.edu