Classifications Of Recreation Specialization: Attitudinal And Behavioral Differences Across Specialization Types In The Nature Reserve Of Orange County, CA, USA

Abstract

This article examines the challenge of preserving ecological conditions and maintaining accessibility in parks and protected areas (PPA). Drawing from empirical research that analyzes the social concept of recreation specialization, the selective channeling of interests and abilities into a specific recreational activity. This study aims to better understand recreation behavior across a sample population of recreationists in urban-proximate park settings at the Nature Reserve of Orange County, CA. Multivariate classification methods and an exploratory factor analysis assisted in the summarization of survey data, grouping recreationists based on commonalities and varying expressions of involvement, commitment, and skill. A one-way analysis of variance demonstrated significant and positive relationships across specialization types and various behavioral characteristics, supporting empirical research conducted in wildland settings. More specifically, positive relationships were found between specialization and recreation ecology attitudes, resource use and dependency, management perceptions, conservation knowledge, Nature Reserve/park values, and self-reported specialization. Trends displayed at an activity specific level in this research demonstrate that specialization dynamics vary according to activity type, which further endorses the idea that specialization is composed of unique social expressions that do not necessarily depict a developmental process or progression of behavior, attitudes, and preferences. Beyond identifying the ways in which specialization dynamics can influence recreation behavior and providing recreation managers with guidance to inform site-specific decisions, evidence from this study shows that measuring self-reported specialization can be as effective as implementing a multivariate classification approach. A novel result that can influence the way this concept is measured in future studies.