Displacement in Wilderness Environments: A Comparative Analysis

A comparative analysis was conducted to determine how previous experience and stress appraisal influenced the potential for displacement in two wilderness environments. Visitors in the High Peaks and Pemigewasset Wilderness Areas were surveyed by mail in the summer of 2004. Stress appraisal scores were low, as was the likelihood of displacement. However, inter-site displacement was more likely among first-time Pemigewasset visitors than repeat Pemigewasset visitors. Social and managerial stressors exhibited a significant and positive influence on intra-site, inter-site, and temporal displacement in both study areas. Managerial stressors exhibited the strongest overall influence on displacement.