Vendégelégedettségi vizsgálatok eredményei a Bakony–Balaton Geopark területén

A well-known national park in Hungary, the Balaton Uplands National Park and the Bakony-Balaton Geopark, offers a diverse range of ecotouristic and geotouristic products. The presentation of the geological and topographical treasures of the land, the local representatives of the flora and fauna and the culture inherited from the history is carried out by the representatives of the surrounding settlements. From a research point of view, the geological demonstration sites and nature trails provide the most useful information. Our goal is to evaluate the opinions and demographic characteristics of the visitors, and to examine touristic behaviour. With the help of the questionnaire research, we are looking for answers to questions about how well the remarks of the hikers meet the preliminary expectations? Where are there territorial differences or similarities in relation to each external or substantive feature of each site? All this is important, because the value qualifying role of the tourist is highlighted through the evaluation of visitor opinions. This allows the guest to highlight the positives and shortcomings of each route and the comments will greatly help the work of the national park and geopark.

Effects of trees, gardens, and nature trails on heat index and child health: design and methods of the Green Schoolyards Project

Background Latinx children in the United States are at high risk for nature-deficit disorder, heat-related illness, and physical inactivity. We developed the Green Schoolyards Project to investigate how green features—trees, gardens, and nature trails—in school parks impact heat index (i.e., air temperature and relative humidity) within parks, and physical activity levels and socioemotional well-being of these children. Herein, we present novel methods for a) observing children’s interaction with green features and b) measuring heat index and children’s behaviors in a natural setting, and a selection of baseline results. Methods During two September weeks (high temperature) and one November week (moderate temperature) in 2019, we examined three joint-use elementary school parks in Central Texas, United States, serving predominantly low-income Latinx families. To develop thermal profiles for each park, we installed 10 air temperature/relative humidity sensors per park, selecting sites based on land cover, land use, and even spatial coverage. We measured green features within a geographic information system. In a cross-sectional study, we used an adapted version of System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) to assess children’s physical activity levels and interactions with green features. In a cohort study, we equipped 30 3rd and 30 4th grade students per school during recess with accelerometers and Global Positioning System devices, and surveyed these students regarding their connection to nature. Baseline analyses included inverse distance weighting for thermal profiles and summing observed counts of children interacting with trees. Results In September 2019, average daily heat index ranged 2.0 °F among park sites, and maximum daily heat index ranged from 103.4 °F (air temperature = 33.8 °C; relative humidity = 55.2%) under tree canopy to 114.1 °F (air temperature = 37.9 °C; relative humidity = 45.2%) on an unshaded playground. 10.8% more girls and 25.4% more boys interacted with trees in September than in November. Conclusions We found extreme heat conditions at select sites within parks, and children positioning themselves under trees during periods of high heat index. These methods can be used by public health researchers and practitioners to inform the redesign of greenspaces in the face of climate change and health inequities.

Effects of trees, gardens, and nature trails on heat index and child health: Design and methods of the Green Schoolyards Project

Background: Latinx children in the United States are at high risk for nature-deficit disorder, heat-related illness, and physical inactivity. We developed the Green Schoolyards Project to investigate how green features—trees, gardens, and nature trails—in school parks impact heat index (i.e., air temperature and relative humidity) within parks, and physical activity levels and socioemotional well-being of these children. Herein, we present novel methods for a) observing children’s interaction with green features and b) measuring heat index and children’s behaviors in a natural setting, and a selection of baseline results.Methods: During two September weeks (high temperature) and one November week (moderate temperature) in 2019, we examined three joint-use elementary school parks in Central Texas, United States, serving predominantly low-income Latinx families. To develop thermal profiles for each park, we installed 10 air temperature/relative humidity sensors per park, selecting sites based on land cover, land use, and even spatial coverage. We measured green features within a geographic information system. In a cross-sectional study, we used an adapted version of System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) to assess children’s physical activity levels and interactions with green features. In a cohort study, we equipped 30 3rd and 30 4th grade students per school during recess with accelerometers and Global Positioning System devices, and surveyed these students regarding their connection to nature. Baseline analyses included inverse distance weighting for thermal profiles and summing observed counts of children interacting with trees.Results: In September 2019, average daily heat index ranged 2.0°F among park sites, and maximum daily heat index ranged from 103.4°F (air temperature = 33.8°C; relative humidity = 55.2%) under tree canopy to 114.1°F (air temperature = 37.9°C; relative humidity = 45.2%) on an unshaded playground. 10.8% more girls and 25.4% more boys interacted with trees in September than in November.Conclusions: We found extreme heat conditions at select sites within parks, and children positioning themselves under trees during periods of high heat index. These methods can be used by public health researchers and practitioners to inform the redesign of greenspaces in the face of climate change and health inequities.

The motives of South African farmers for offering agri-tourism

Agri-tourism, which involves tourists visiting working farms for entertainment and learning, has become more popular over the years. This paper focuses on the supply side of agri-tourism and investigates the motives that South African farmers have for offering agri-tourism activities and attractions on their farm. Based on a study with 557 respondents from all nine provinces of South Africa, 148 respondents indicated that they were currently offering some form of agri-tourism. The results identified the most popular agri-tourism activities and attractions as farm stay/accommodation, hunting, hiking/nature trails, and wildlife viewing and photography. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted, which identified two factors, namely, preservation of culture and heritage and economic advantages. Based on the mean values, economic advantages were the main reason why farmers decided to offer agri-tourism activities and attractions.

Possibilities of local tourism development using virtual educational trails

Educational trails are a traditional tool to bring local attractions closer to the visitor of the area. However, educational trails are currently changing concepts. The classic model of whiteboards with text and images no longer works - visitors do not want to read long texts. They require interactivity and a sophisticated visual experience. With the development of modern communication technologies, there is an opportunity to meet these expectations by connecting educational content with a virtual environment. The article aims to present several different types of virtual nature trails in Czechia and assess the strengths and weaknesses of their implementation from visitors' perspective. The input data are data from evaluation questionnaires from guided excursions, a substantial part of which were these educational trails; the method used is content analysis. The main findings include that visitors accept these new forms of nature trails mostly positively. Negative reactions were more of a practical nature when something did not work as it should. In addition, creating and maintaining a virtual nature trail can be significantly cheaper than its physical form, which is an advantage in rural regions where local governments do not have large budgets. The author of this article is also a co-author of one of the assessed paths; therefore, practical advice regarding the implementation of virtual educational paths is also discussed.

Effects of trees, gardens, and nature trails on heat index and child health: Design and methods of the Green Schoolyards Project

Background: Latinx children in the United States are at high risk for nature-deficit disorder, heat-related illness, and physical inactivity. We developed the Green Schoolyards Project to investigate how green features—trees, gardens, and nature trails—in school parks impact heat index (i.e., air temperature and relative humidity) within parks, and physical activity levels and socioemotional well-being of these children. Herein, we present novel methods for a) observing children’s interaction with green features and b) measuring heat index and children’s behaviors in a natural setting, and a selection of baseline results.Methods: During two September weeks (high temperature) and one November week (moderate temperature) in 2019, we examined three joint-use elementary school parks in Central Texas, United States, serving predominantly low-income Latinx families. To develop thermal profiles for each park, we installed 10 air temperature/relative humidity sensors per park, selecting sites based on land cover, land use, and even spatial coverage. We measured green features within a geographic information system. In a cross-sectional study, we used an adapted version of System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) to assess children’s physical activity levels and interactions with green features. In a cohort study, we equipped 30 3rd and 30 4th grade students per school during recess with accelerometers and Global Positioning System devices, and surveyed these students regarding their connection to nature. Baseline analyses included inverse distance weighting for thermal profiles and summing observed counts of children interacting with trees.Results: In September 2019, average daily heat index ranged 2.0°F among park sites, and maximum daily heat index ranged from 103.4°F (air temperature = 33.8°C; relative humidity = 55.2%) under tree canopy to 114.1°F (air temperature = 37.9°C; relative humidity = 45.2%) on an unshaded playground. 10.8% more girls and 25.4% more boys interacted with trees in September than in November.Conclusions: We found extreme heat conditions at select sites within parks, and children positioning themselves under trees during periods of high heat index. These methods can be used by public health researchers and practitioners to inform the redesign of greenspaces in the face of climate change and health inequities.

Effects of trees, gardens, and nature trails on heat index and child health: Design and methods of the Green Schoolyards Project

Background: Latinx children in the United States are at high risk for nature-deficit disorder, heat-related illness, and physical inactivity. We developed the Green Schoolyards Project to investigate how green features—trees, gardens, and nature trails—in school parks impact heat index (i.e., air temperature and relative humidity) within parks, and physical activity levels and socioemotional well-being of these children. Herein, we present novel methods for a) observing children’s interaction with green features and b) measuring heat index and children’s behaviors in a natural setting, and a selection of baseline results.Methods: During two September weeks (high temperature) and one November week (moderate temperature) in 2019, we examined three joint-use elementary school parks in Central Texas, United States, serving predominantly low-income Latinx families. To develop thermal profiles for each park, we installed 10 air temperature/relative humidity sensors per park, selecting sites based on land cover, land use, and even spatial coverage. We measured green features within a geographic information system. In a cross-sectional study, we used an adapted version of System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) to assess children’s physical activity levels and interactions with green features. In a cohort study, we equipped 30 3rd and 30 4th grade students per school during recess with accelerometers and Global Positioning System devices, and surveyed these students regarding their connection to nature. Baseline analyses included inverse distance weighting for thermal profiles and summing observed counts of children interacting with trees.Results: In September 2019, average daily heat index ranged 2.0°F among park sites, and maximum daily heat index ranged from 103.4°F (air temperature = 33.8°C; relative humidity = 55.2%) under tree canopy to 114.1°F (air temperature = 37.9°C; relative humidity = 45.2%) on an unshaded playground. 10.8% more girls and 25.4% more boys interacted with trees in September than in November.Conclusions: We found extreme heat conditions at select sites within parks, and children positioning themselves under trees during periods of high heat index. These methods can be used by public health researchers and practitioners to inform the redesign of greenspaces in the face of climate change and health inequities.

Proposta de criação de uma trilha ecológica como forma de aproveitamento econômico de Áreas de Proteção Permanente (APP): Fazenda Serra Grande e o Caminho das Águas

Este trabalho propôs-se a agregar valor às Áreas de Preservação Permanente(APP) , através da análise da APP da Fazenda Serra Grande, Alagoa Grande-Paraíba, para o ecoturismo no local. Essa área tem um remanescente de bioma Mata Atlântica, passível de ser utilizado para o desenvolvimento de atividades turísticas principalmente as trilhas ecológicas. A avaliação faz parte da busca de medidas que ajudem a desenvolver o ecoturismo local. A metodologia foi o diagnóstico das potencialidades e atrativos ecoturísticos para futuras atividades ecoturísticas. Foram propostos locais para pontos de interpretação ambiental, apresentando os temas que poderiam ser explorados em cada ponto. Observou-se que as informações levantadas, assim como as ferramentas utilizadas, são importantes para o planejamento do ecoturismo, podendo auxiliar na busca de estratégias para a inserção da APP em roteiros turísticos. Conclui-se que a trilha na Fazenda Serra Grande tem grandes possibilidades de transformar-se em produto ecoturístico. Proposal to create an ecological trail as a means of economic exploitation of Permanent Preservation Areas (APP): Serra Grande Farm and the Waters Way ABSTRACT This study aimed to add value to the Permanent Preservation Areas(PPA), by analyzing the natural aspects of Serra Grande Farm APP, Alagoa Grande, Paraíba, for the development of ecotourism at the site. This area possess a remnant of the Atlantic Forest biome, which can be used as a space conducive to the development of touristic activities, especially the nature trails. The evaluated aspects intend to help develop the ecotourism at the farm. The methodology was the diagnosis of ecotouristic attractions. Sites were proposed for environmental interpretation points, presenting the topics to be explored at each point. It was noted that the information gathered, as well as the tools used are important for the planning for ecotourism, and may help in the search for strategies for the inclusion of PPA in tourist itineraries. It is understood that, from the analysis developed here, the trail at Serra Grande APP Farm has a great potential to turn into an ecotourism product. KEYWORDS: Ecotourism; Ecological Trail; Permanent Preservation Area.