Air Quality and Visitor Behavior in U.S. Protected Areas

Past research has documented the harmful impacts of air pollution on endemic species, ecosystem functions, and human health. Far less is known about how degraded air quality influences the behaviors of visitors who frequent protected areas, such as National Parks. The aim of this study was to survey United States federal land management agency professionals to better understand the dynamic interplay between social and ecological factors leading to air quality-related visitor behavior. We analyzed professionals’ (n = 38) perceptions of the process of air quality degradation, management actions, and visitor responses, specifically the behavioral strategies visitors employ to reduce their exposure to degraded air quality. Results indicate a preponderance of context and source-specific behaviors. Additionally, many professionals shared their concerns regarding lingering gaps in social science scholarship regarding broad air quality-related behavioral patterns in protected areas. Implications for federal land managers, protected area researchers, and policy makers are discussed.