Orienteering is a sport which takes place largely off-track in terrain
which often has conservation value. This gives rise to concern amongst ecologists that there is the potential for damage to flora and fauna.
The conclusion to be drawn from the general vegetation impact studies is that
orienteering has low to very low impact with generally rapid recovery. The disturbance of breeding birds is more problematic and the research information is very limited.
The scientific studies that I found about the impact of orienteering on birds are the following:
(1) Goodall, A. and Gregory, C. (1991) The effect of the May 1991 orienteering event on the breeding bird community in Brandon Park. Ecosurveys, Spilsby, Lincs. [IOF/Env/RP003]
(2) Parker, B. H. (2009) The effect of an Orienteering Event on Breeding Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe at Titterstone Clee, Shropshire, UK. Scientific Journal of Orienteering. Vol. 17-1, pp. 25-38.
Does anyone have knowledge about other recent studies on this topic?
Thanks in advance.
Species (populations, and even individuals) differ in their response to human disturbance. Some are more sensitive and others quite tolerant to human proximity. You will need a list of species potentially affected and check if the proposed timing of your disturbance event in question will coincide with breeding (stage?) or maybe another important life stage such as moulting, there's quite some literature about on human disturbance effects on birds and how you can measure the effect of different disturbance stimuli. Most importantly you will need link your measured disturbance responses to potential population level consequences. Such data can then provide the basis for effective conservation management decisions.
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