The relationship between people's activities and values with the protection level and biodiversity

• Published in: Tourism management (1982) 2020-12, Vol.81, p.104141, Article 104141
• Main Authors: Tolvanen, Anne, Kangas, Katja, Tarvainen, Oili, Huhta, Esa, Jäkäläniemi, Anne, Kyttä, Marketta, Nikula, Ari, Nivala, Vesa, Tuulentie, Seija, Tyrväinen, Liisa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Conflicts; Factor analysis of mixed data; Land use planning; Nature protection; Public participation GIS; Reconciliation; Tourist resort
• ISSN: 0261-5177; 1879-3193
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tourman.2020.104141

We investigated how people's recreational activities, values, and land use preferences are related to the protection level, biodiversity and cultural heritage values of nature-based tourism areas in northern Finland. We assessed peoples' opinions using a public participation geographic information system (PPGIS) and analyzed the data together with spatial biodiversity and cultural heritage data from the same area. Associations between the PPGIS place markings with the protection level and biodiversity values were quite low, and for the cultural heritage sites they were altogether missing. Negative preferences were often marked in areas with high numbers of sites rated as pleasant and they overlapped with each other, indicating conflicting preferences. Since most activities are not noticeably related to the protection level or biodiversity values of a site they can be planned so as to protect the biodiversity of the area. •We merged PPGIS data with spatial biodiversity and cultural heritage data in a nature-based tourism area.•Associations between PPGIS markings with protection level and biodiversity were low and for cultural heritage missing.•Negative preferences towards tourism, protection and forestry often overlapped, indicating conflicting preferences.•Since most activities were not related to protection level or biodiversity they can be placed to protect biodiversity.•Differences between opinions among respondents can be used to manage the area to fulfil the needs of various users.