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Forests
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Forest Recreation and Ecotourism
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Forest Recreation and Ecotourism

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Economics, Policy, and Social Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 September 2024) | Viewed by 8202

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Chi-Ming Hsieh

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
International Bachelor Program of Agribusiness, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
Interests: nature-based tourism; rural tourism; community-based tourism and sustainable development
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Forest recreation and ecotourism play pivotal roles in promoting sustainable environmental practices and establishing a symbiotic relationship between nature and human engagement. These practices not only offer recreational opportunities but also contribute significantly to the conservation and appreciation of our diverse biodiversity. In the realm of forest recreation, individuals find solace in the tranquility of wooded landscapes, participating in activities such as hiking and bird watching. Beyond promoting physical well-being, these experiences foster a profound connection with the natural world. Simultaneously, ecotourism emphasizes responsible travel to natural areas, encouraging an understanding of local ecosystems and cultures while actively supporting conservation efforts. The synergy between forest recreation and ecotourism lies in their shared commitment to environmental stewardship. By educating visitors about the importance of preserving natural habitats, both practices contribute to the sustainable management of forests. The anticipated benefits of implementing forest recreation and ecotourism extend beyond enhancing the visitors’ experience; they ensure the long-term viability of these ecosystems. Forest recreation and ecotourism form a harmonious balance, offering individuals the opportunity to revel in the beauty of nature while actively participating in its preservation. This symbiotic relationship not only enhances the well-being of visitors but also safeguards the long-term health of our planet's invaluable forests.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Forest recreation;
  • National parks, forests, and wilderness areas;
  • Biodiversity and resilient ecosystems;
  • Rural tourism;
  • Environmentally responsible behavior;
  • Ecotourism management;
  • Sustainable Ecotourism.

Prof. Dr. Chi-Ming Hsieh
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • forest recreation
  • biodiversity and resilient ecosystems
  • environmentally responsible behavior
  • ecotourism management
  • sustainable ecotourism

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 2378 KiB  
Article
Determinants of Forest Recreation Visitors’ Environmentally Responsible Behavior: The Moderating Role of Family Structure
by Yun-Han Tseng, Chih-Ming Ku, Wen-Shiung Huang, Chung-Ching Huang, Homer C. Wu and Chi-Ming Hsieh
Forests 2024, 15(11), 1840; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15111840 - 22 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1092
Abstract
This research aims to verify the relationships between destination ij3dentity, environmental concern, and environmentally responsible behavior (ERB), based on the Cognition–Affect–Behavior (C–A–B) model, in the Sun-Link-Sea Forest Recreation Area (SLSFRA) in Taiwan. This study also aims to address the gap in understanding whether [...] Read more.
This research aims to verify the relationships between destination ij3dentity, environmental concern, and environmentally responsible behavior (ERB), based on the Cognition–Affect–Behavior (C–A–B) model, in the Sun-Link-Sea Forest Recreation Area (SLSFRA) in Taiwan. This study also aims to address the gap in understanding whether tourists’ family structure, with or without children, influences the impact of destination identity on their environmental concerns and ERB. A total of 431 samples were collected through convenience sampling and analyzed using structural equation modeling. The findings indicated that destination identity significantly influenced environmental concern, which in turn affected the general and specific ERB. Environmental concern acted as a mediator between destination identity and ERB. Specifically, tourists who strongly identified with the destination were more inclined to be concerned that its environmental condition influenced their travel experience, encouraging them to take action to protect the environment. Families with children who had greater environmental concern exhibited stronger general and specific environmentally responsible behavior (ERB) compared to families without children, who were more influenced by the impact of forest destination identity on their ERB. Practical implications for management and future research suggestions are proposed for relevant organizations and researchers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Recreation and Ecotourism)
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20 pages, 1560 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Tourists’ Perceived Value on Environmentally Responsible Behavior in an Urban Forest Park: The Mediating Effects of Satisfaction and Subjective Well-Being
by Jiali Zhao and Lisheng Weng
Forests 2024, 15(10), 1730; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15101730 - 29 Sep 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1845
Abstract
Urban forest parks serve as significant venues for tourists’ leisure and recreation. The experiences and perceptions of tourists in these parks considerably influence their attitudes and behaviors. While numerous studies have investigated the functions and values of urban forest parks at a macro [...] Read more.
Urban forest parks serve as significant venues for tourists’ leisure and recreation. The experiences and perceptions of tourists in these parks considerably influence their attitudes and behaviors. While numerous studies have investigated the functions and values of urban forest parks at a macro level, the mechanisms influencing tourists’ perceived values and their environmentally responsible behavior at a micro level remain under explored. This research used structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the association between tourists’ perceived values and their environmentally responsible behavior, including the mediating functions of tourists’ satisfaction and their subjective well-being. 502 valid questionnaires in total were obtained from Changpoling National Forest Park in Guiyang City, Guizhou, China, for this case study. The results show that there are some variances in the impact of the dimensions of tourists’ perceived value on environmentally responsible behavior, in which service quality, resource quality, and emotional value impose a pronounced positive effect on environmentally responsible behavior, tourism costs impose a pronounced negative effect on environmentally responsible behavior, and the activity experience does not exert a pronounced effect on environmentally responsible behavior. Satisfaction and subjective well-being have a mediating function during the process of positive influence of tourists’ perceived value on their environmentally responsible behavior and serve as partial mediators, and the significant positive influence of satisfaction on subjective well-being as well as subjective well-being on environmentally responsible behavior are verified. This research can help better explain the mechanism of the effect of tourists’ perceived value exerted on environmental responsibility behavior in nature-based tourism destinations, and also has a guiding and reference significance for the sustainable development of urban forest parks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Recreation and Ecotourism)
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19 pages, 13020 KiB  
Article
Time-Varying Evolution and Impact Analysis of Forest Tourism Carbon Emissions and Forest Park Carbon Sinks in China
by Liguo Wang, Haoxiang Zhao, Wenna Wu, Wei Song, Qishan Zhou and Yanting Ye
Forests 2024, 15(9), 1517; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15091517 - 29 Aug 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 925
Abstract
Forests are an important part of natural resources and play an important role in carbon sinks. We measured carbon sinks in provincial forest parks using data from four forest inventory surveys in China and the forest stock expansion method. Carbon emissions from forest [...] Read more.
Forests are an important part of natural resources and play an important role in carbon sinks. We measured carbon sinks in provincial forest parks using data from four forest inventory surveys in China and the forest stock expansion method. Carbon emissions from forest tourism were also estimated using energy statistics and forest park tourism data. On this basis, spatial analysis was used to summarize the spatial and temporal evolution of the carbon balance and the analysis of influencing factors. The results show the following: (1) With the passage of time, the carbon emissions from forest tourism in all provinces have increased to different degrees, and the national forest tourism carbon emissions have increased from 1,071,390.231 (million tons) in 2003 to 286,255,829.7 (million tons) in 2018; spatially, the distribution of carbon emissions from forest tourism is uneven, with an overall high in the south and low in the north, and a high in the east and a low in the west. (2) The carbon sink of forest parks showed a trend of gradual growth and spatially formed a spatial pattern of high in the northeast and low in the southwest, which is consistent with the distribution of forest resources in China. (3) For forest tourism carbon emissions, the total number of tourists, tourism income, and playing roads are significant influencing factors, and the baseline regression coefficients are 0.595, 0.433, and 0.799, respectively, while for forest park carbon sinks, the number of forest park employees can play a certain positive role in carbon sinks, with the regression coefficient being 1.533. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Recreation and Ecotourism)
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18 pages, 5678 KiB  
Article
Importance of Forest Ecosystem within Important Plant Areas (IPAs) for the Development of Nature-Based Tourism—A Case Study of Fruška Gora National Park
by Vladica Ristić, Igor Trišić, Snežana Štetić, Florin Nechita, Adina Nicoleta Candrea, Nevena Majstorović and Vladimir Tomašević
Forests 2024, 15(7), 1213; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15071213 - 12 Jul 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1584
Abstract
Botanical areas under international protection are important for preserving plant and animal ecosystems. Forest ecosystems within Important Plant Areas (IPAs) are essential for preserving biological and species diversity. In AP Vojvodina (Northern Serbia), there are 27 IPAs, totaling 328,208 ha. Fruška Gora National [...] Read more.
Botanical areas under international protection are important for preserving plant and animal ecosystems. Forest ecosystems within Important Plant Areas (IPAs) are essential for preserving biological and species diversity. In AP Vojvodina (Northern Serbia), there are 27 IPAs, totaling 328,208 ha. Fruška Gora National Park (FGNP) territory is under international protection as an IPA. A large part of this park is covered by a forest ecosystem comprising various deciduous and evergreen trees, shrubs, and grasses. The forest ecosystem in FGNP is rich with natural attractions that are important for hiking, mountaineering, trekking, scientific tourism, wildlife, bird and animal watching, and community tourism. In this article, the authors used a quantitative method of collecting and processing data obtained through survey research. For this research, 610 respondents (325 residents and 285 visitors) were surveyed. Using questionnaires, the respondents expressed their opinions about the tourism potential of FGNP, as well as the satisfaction of tourists with current tourism development. The research results indicate that the forest ecosystem within the FGNP and IPA area has an important potential for the development of nature-based tourism (NbT) and that this tourism form significantly affects not only the satisfaction of the respondents but also increased awareness of the preservation and protection of these areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Recreation and Ecotourism)
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12 pages, 1240 KiB  
Article
Does Host-Guest Interaction Stimulate Tourists’ Citizenship Behavior? A Combination of Social Exchange Theory and Cognitive Appraisal Theory
by Juan Bi, Bingnan Wang and Feifei Lu
Forests 2024, 15(7), 1156; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15071156 - 3 Jul 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2062
Abstract
This study delved into the intricate ways in which host-guest interaction influences tourist citizenship behavior (TCB), focusing specifically on two key dimensions: interaction quantity and interaction quality. By drawing on social exchange theory and cognitive appraisal theory, we constructed an integrated model that [...] Read more.
This study delved into the intricate ways in which host-guest interaction influences tourist citizenship behavior (TCB), focusing specifically on two key dimensions: interaction quantity and interaction quality. By drawing on social exchange theory and cognitive appraisal theory, we constructed an integrated model that illustrates the relationship between host-guest interaction and TCB, with experiential value and place attachment serving as mediating factors. Our data were gathered from 499 visitors to Mount Taishan national forest park, and the analysis was conducted using Spss and Amos software. The results revealed that the quality of host-guest interaction has a significant and positive influence on tourists’ overall experiential value, which in turn fosters TCB. Additionally, the evaluation of experiential value triggers a deeper sense of place attachment among tourists towards the destination, further encouraging TCB. The quantity of host-guest interaction did not exert a significant influence on tourist citizenship behavior. These findings offer practical insights for destinations seeking to enhance their competitiveness and sustainability by optimizing host-guest interactions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Recreation and Ecotourism)
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