RESEARCH & Publications

go.ncsu.edu/leung

Other Professional and Research Profiles

Sustainable visitor use for BETTER conservation outcomes

Happy feet around tourists? I'm collaborating with my Spanish and Ecuadorian colleagues on a study to examine how penguins, including Gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua) in this picture, respond to simulated tourist activities and behavior. Results are intended to inform Antarctic Visitor Site Guidelines and visitor management practices.

Research Interests

My research addresses the sustainability challenges of visitor use in parks, protected areas, heritage sites, wildernesses, and other natural areas from local to global scales. While my past research has emphasized on monitoring and management of visitor-associated impacts on protected area resources, I am taking a more holistic view on how to maximize the net positive impacts of tourism and recreation on conservation, not only by minimizing their negative effects but also increasing their positive contributions to conservation through direct participation in protected area conservation, such as citizen monitoring/science, and pro-environment outcomes such as attitude and behavior change. I'm currently building a research focus on Antarctica, including a better understanding of Antarctic tourists, their experience and outcomes, their compliance with visitor site guidelines, and their impacts on the Antarctic environment and wildlife.

Specialties/Interests

Protected areas, Antarctica, recreation ecology, impact monitoring, participatory monitoring, indicators, monitoring protocols, visitor management, sustainable tourism, park management, ecotourism, geotourism, trails, GIS, camera traps, social media

In the Press/Relevant News Stories

Should there be a cap on tourist numbers to Antarctica? Stuff (New Zealand) (by Josh Martin; April 10, 2024)
Antarctica: Penguin and people. NC State University News (by Rachel Montesinos Jorro; April 8, 2024)
Management effectiveness evaluation of Finland's protected areas 2023. Metsähallitus (Finland): Latest Publications (March 15, 2024)
Meet the recipients of the 2023 Leave No Trace Research Grant. Leave No Trace News & Updates (by Chloe Lindahl; February 14, 2024)
The last place on earth any tourist should go. The Atlantic (by Sara Clemence; July 3, 2023)
Antarctica cruises are more popular than ever. Experts say they need more regulations. NPR All Things Considered (by Greg Allen, National Public Radio; May 29, 2023)
Can tourism be nature-positive? IUCN Crossroads Blog (by Cam Do and Olivia Schlaepfer; February 28, 2023)
Ethical traveller: Is our fascination with bucket-list destinations damaging the planet? New Zealand Herald (by Jessica Wynne Lockhart; January 23, 2023)
As TikToks about Antarctic tourism go viral, some worry about the environmental costs. NBC News (by Morgan Sung; December 9, 2022)
Antarctica Day recognizes the anniversary of the signing of the Antarctic Treaty. NCSU College of Natural Resources News (by Andrew Moore; December 1, 2022)
Antarctica’s tourism boom could be stressing out penguins. NCSU College of Natural Resources News (by Andrew Moore; November 30, 2022)
Some see Antarctica as ‘last chance’ destination; for others, it’s a backdrop. NC State University News (by Laura Oleniacz; April 12, 2022)
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted research and tourism, even in Antarctica. NC State University News (by Laura Oleniacz; April 12, 2022)
Is national park status always a good thing? Condé Nast Traveler (by Stephanie Vermillion; March 21, 2022)
Reflections on the early history of recreation ecology, Park Stewardship Forum, 37(2): 379-400. (by Dr. David Cole; May 2021)
Researchers look at the role uncertainty plays in outdoor recreation NCSU College of Natural Resources News (by Cara Lewis; January 2021)
From Yosemite to Antarctica, NC State professor examines tourism impacts in protected areas NCSU College of Natural Resources News (by Andrew Moore; April 2020)

Recent Publications (since 2018; selected)

Peer-reviewed Journal Articles

Cáliz, A. C., Tejebo, P., Cajiao, D., Leung, Y.-F., Barbosa, A., & Benayas, J. Behavioral responses of two penguin species to simulated tourist activities: Do nesting sites’ size and position matter? Antarctic Science. In Press.
McDade, C., Fatone, A., Larson, L., Leung, Y.-F., Tanner, J. D., & Taff, B. D. (2025). Leave No Trace in the frontcountry: Assessing knowledge and behaviors before and after a targeted messaging intervention. Journal of Interpretation Research, 30(1), 149-173. doi:10.1177/10925872251327416
Cheung, S.-Y., Leung, Y.-F., & Larson, L. (2025). Can citizen scientists contribute to trail assessment and monitoring programs? An empirical evaluation of data congruence and overall efficacy. Environmental Management, 75, 778–792. doi:10.1007/s00267-025-02111-7
Cajiao, D., Larson, L., Leung, Y.-F., & Reas, J. (2024). Making memories that matter: How do different recollections of an Antarctic tourism experience impact future conservation behavior? Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 32(10), 2159-2180. doi:10.1080/09669582.2023.2272224
Laanisto, L., Jaksi, P., Härm, L., Hallikma, T., Kull, T., & Leung, Y.-F. (2024). GetDiv – A call for global coordinated study on plant diversity changes on nature trails. Journal of Ecotourism, 23(3), 296-307. doi: 10.1080/14724049.2023.2191894 [GetDiv Project Website]
Jouzi, Z., Leung, Y.-F., & Nelson, S. (2024). Characterizing the association between child malnutrition and protected areas in sub-Saharan Africa using unsupervised clustering. Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, 14, 300-312. doi:10.1007/s13412-023-00880-3
Reas, J., Leung, Y.-F., & Cajiao, D. (2023). Ambassadors, stewards, advocates - Is engagement of polar tourists in conservation symbolic or substantive? A scoping review. Frontiers in Sustainable Tourism, 2, Art. 1263644. doi:10.3389/frsut.2023.1263644
Rogers, A., & Leung, Y.-F. (2023). "More helpful than hurtful?" Information, technology, and uncertainty in outdoor recreation. Leisure Sciences, 45(7), 609-627. doi:10.1080/01490400.2020.1871132
Liggett, D., Cajiao, D., Lamers, M., Leung, Y.-F., & Stewart, E. J. (2023). The future of sustainable polar ship-based tourism. Cambridge Prisms: Coastal Futures, 1, Art. e21. doi: 10.1017/cft.2023.10
Jouzi, Z., Nelson, S., & Leung, Y.-F. (2023). Spatial heterogeneity of child malnutrition, proximity to protected areas and environmental variabilities in Zimbabwe. GeoJournal, 88, 3773–3789. doi: 10.1007/s10708-023-10842-5
Jouzi, Z., Leung, Y.-F., & Nelson, S. (2022). Addressing the food security and conservation challenges: Can be aligned instead of apposed? Frontiers in Conservation Science, 3, Art. 921895. doi: 10.3389/fcosc.2022.921895
Tejedo, P., Benayas, J., Cajiao, D., Leung, Y.-F., De Filippo, D., & Liggett, D. (2022). What are the real environmental impacts of Antarctic tourism? Unveiling their importance through a comprehensive meta-analysis. Journal of Environmental Management, 308, Art. 114634. doi: 1016/j.jenvman.2022.114634
Cajiao, D., Leung, Y.-F., Tejedo, P., Barbosa, A., Reck, G., & Benayas, J. (2022). Behavioral responses of two penguin species to human presence at Barrientos Island, a popular tourist site in the Antarctic Peninsula region. Antarctic Science, 34(2), 107-119. doi: 10.1017/S0954102021000559
Miller, A. B., Blahna, D. J., Morse, W. C., Leung, Y.-F., & Rowland, M. M. (2022). From recreation ecology to a recreation ecosystem: A framework accounting for social-ecological systems. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 38, Art. 100455. doi: 10.1016/j.jort.2021.100455
Cajiao, D., Leung, Y.-F., Larson, L., Tejedo, P., & Benayas, J. (2022). Tourists’ motivations, learning, and trip satisfaction facilitate pro-environmental outcomes of the Antarctic tourist experience. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 37, Art. 100454. doi: 10.1016/j.jort.2021.100454 [Antarctic Tourist Typology Infographic Booklet]
Cheung, S. Y., Leung, Y.-F., & Larson, L. (2022). Citizen science as a tool for enhancing recreation research in protected areas: Applications and opportunities. Journal of Environmental Management, 305, Art. 114353. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.114353
Cajiao, D., Benayas, J., Tejedo, P., & Leung, Y.-F. (2021). Adaptive management of sustainable tourism in Antarctica: A rhetoric or working progress? Sustainability, 13(14), Art. 7649. doi:10.3390/su13147649
Smith, C., Leung Y.-F., & Seekamp, E. (2021). Assessing geospatial technology implementation capacity and engagement for natural resource management networks: A proposed framework. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 39(2): 24-42. doi:10.18666/JPRA-2020-10548
Spenceley, A., McCool, S., Newsome, D., Baez, A., Barborak, J. R., Blye, C.-J., Bricker, K., Cahyadi, H., Corrigan, K., Halpenny, E., Hvenegaard, G., King, D., Leung, Y.-F., Mandic, A., Naidoo, R., Rüede, D., Sano, J., Sarhan, M., Santamaria, V., Beraldo Sousa, T., & Zschiegner, A.-K. (2021). Tourism in protected areas amid the COVID-19 pandemic. PARKS: International Journal of Protected Areas and Conservation, 27(SI), 103-118. doi:10.2305/IUCN.CH.2021.PARKS-27-SIAS.en
Cajiao, D., Izurieta, J. C., Casafont, M., Reck, G., Castro, K., Santamaría, V., Cárdenas, S., & Leung, Y.-F. (2020). Tourist use and impact monitoring in the Galápagos: An evolving program with lessons learned. PARKS: International Journal of Protected Areas and Conservation, 26(2), 89-102. doi:10.2305/IUCN.CH.2020.PARKS‐26‐2DC.en
Jouzi, Z., Leung, Y.-F., & Nelson, S. (2020). Terrestrial protected areas and food security: A systematic review of research approaches. Environments, 7(10), Art. 83. doi:10.3390/environments7100083
Miller, A., Kays, R., & Leung, Y.-F. (2020). Wildlife response to recreational trail building: An experimental method and Appalachian case study. Journal for Nature Conservation, 56, Art. 125815. doi:10.1016/j.jnc.2020.125815
Perry, E. E., Thomsen, J. M., D'Antonio, A. L., Morse, W. C., Reigner, N. P., Leung, Y.-F., Wimpey, J., & Taff, B. D. (2020). Toward an integrated model of topical, spatial, and temporal scales of research inquiry in park visitor use management. Sustainability, 12(15), Art. 6183. doi:10.3390/su12156183
Rogers, A., & Leung, Y.-F. (2020). Smarter long-distance hike: How emerging technologies shape information use and spatial decisions on the Appalachian Trail. International Journal of Wilderness, 26(2), 88-103. [Full Text]
Guo, J.-H., Guo, T., Lin, K.-M., Lin, D.-D., Leung, Y.-F., & Chen, Q.-H. (2019). Managing congestion at visitor hotspots using park-level use data: Case study of a Chinese World Heritage site. PLoS One, 14(7), e0215266. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0215266
Smith, J. W., Wilkins, E., & Leung, Y.-F. (2019). Attendance trends threaten future operations of America’s state park systems. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the U.S.A.,116(26), 12775-12780. doi:10.1073/pnas.1902314116
Tsai, W.-L., Leung, Y.-F., McHale, M. R., Floyd, M. F., & Reich, B. J. (2019). Relationships between urban green land cover and human health at different spatial resolutions. Urban Ecosystems, 22(2), 315-324. doi:10.1007/s11252-018-0813-3
Ng, S.-L., Leung, Y.-F., Cheung, S.-Y., & Fang, W. (2018). Land degradation effects initiated by trail running events in an urban protected area of Hong Kong. Land Degradation and Development, 29(3), 422-432. doi:10.1002/ldr.2863
Tsai, W.-L., McHale, M. R., Jennings, V., Marquet, O., Hipp, J. A., Leung, Y.-F., & Floyd, M. F. (2018). Relationships between characteristics of urban green land cover and mental health in U.S. metropolitan areas. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15, Art. 340. doi:10.3390/ijerph15020340
Walden-Schreiner, C., Leung, Y.-F., Kuhn, T., & Newburger, T. (2018). Integrating direct observation and GPS tracking to monitor animal behavior for resource management. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 190, Art. 75. doi:10.1007/s10661-018-6463-3
Walden-Schreiner, C., Leung, Y.-F., & Tateosian, L. (2018). Digital footprints: Incorporating crowdsourced geographic information for protected area management. Applied Geography, 90, 44-54. doi:10.1016/j.apgeog.2017.11.004
Walden-Schreiner, C., Rossi, S. D., Barros, A., Pickering, C., & Leung, Y.-F. (2018). Using crowd-sourced photos to assess seasonal patterns of visitor use in mountain-protected areas. Ambio, 47(7), 781-793. doi:10.1007/s13280-018-1020-4

Books/Book Contributions

Vukomanovic, J., Walden-Schreiner, C., Hipp, J. A., & Leung, Y.-F. (2022). GIS&T in recreation planning and management. In GIS&T Body of Knowledge. Ithaca, NY: University Consortium for Geographic Information Science. Published online March 25, 2022. DOI:10.22224/gistbok/2022.1.8 [Full Text]
Cajiao, D., & Leung, Y.-F. (2022). Experiencing Antarcticness: Slow tourists, fast penguins, and timeless landscapes. In: Kelman, I. (ed.), Antarcticness: Inspirations and Imaginaries (pp. 210-223). London, UK: UCL Press. DOI:10.14324/111.9781800081444 [Full Text]
Magro, T. C. M.-L., & Leung, Y.-F. (2019). Managing environmental impacts of tourism. In: McCool, S. F., & Bosak, K. (eds.). A Research Agenda for Sustainable Tourism (pp. 223-238). Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing. [Book Info]
Leung, Y.-F., Spenceley, A., Hvenegaard, G., & Buckley, R. (eds.) (2018). Tourism and Visitor Management in Protected Areas: Guidelines for Sustainability. Best Practice Protected Area Guidelines Series No. 27. Gland, Switzerland: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). [ Official versions in full-text PDF: English | Español | Français | Deutsch | Português | монгол хэл || Unofficial translated version: 简体中文 ]

Specific Contributions --

- Leung, Y.-F., Spenceley, A., McCool, S., & Eagles, P. F. J.: Tourism and visitation in protected areas: The sustainability challenge (Chapter 1, pp. 1-8). [Full Text]
- Spenceley, A., Hvenegaard, G., Bushell, R., Leung, Y.-F., & McCool, S.: The impacts of protected area tourism (Chapter 2, pp. 9-26). [Full Text]
- Halpenny, E., Salenieks, T., Manning, R., Leung, Y.-F., & Spenceley, A.: Aligning management objectives with tourism impacts (Chapter 3, pp. 27-40). [Full Text]
- Leung, Y.-F., Halpenny, E., Salenieks, T., Manning, R., Bride, I., Walden-Schreiner, C., & Buckley, R.: Adaptive management for sustainable tourism (Chapter 4, pp. 41-62). [Full Text]
- Walden-Schreiner, C., Miller, A., & Leung, Y.-F.: Monitoring visitor use and impact indicators in Yosemite National Park (USA) (Box 4.4, p. 46). [Full Text]
- Leung, Y.-F., Spenceley, A., Hvenegaard, G., & Buckley, R.: Promoting partnerships through the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism (Box 4.14, p. 58). [Full Text]
- Hvenegaard, G., Buckley, R., Spenceley, A., & Leung, Y.-F.: The future of protected area tourism (Chapter 7, pp. 89-95). [Full Text]

Proceedings Papers

Leung, Y.-F., Hotchkiss, C., Cullinan, C., Sheehan, L., Kehler, D., & Bosu, R. Encountering Antarctic wilderness: Rethinking relationshps, values, and rights -- Panel summary. Proceedings of the WILD12 -- 12th World Wilderness Congress (Rapid City, SD; August 2024). The Wild Foundation. In Press.
Helmer, M., Miller, A., Barborak, J., McCool, S., & Leung, Y.-F. (2020). Global dimensions: Trends, lessons, and collaborative learning. In: Selin, S., Cerveny, L. K., Blahna, D. J., & Miller, A. B. (eds.), Igniting Research for Outdoor Recreation: Linking Science, Policy, and Action (pp. 133-147). General Technical Report PNW-987. Portland, OR: USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. [Full Text]

Technical Reports

Mandić, A., Beraldo Souza. T., Spenceley, A., Bricker, K., Eagles, P. F. J., Epler Wood, M., Green, R., Haggar, K., Hvenegaard, G., Lemieux, C. J., Leung, Y.-F., McCool, S. F., Muriithi, J. K., Ritchie, C., Rogers, P., Rushton, B., Sano, J., & Turner, D. (2025). Strengthening Sustainable Tourism's Role in Biodiversity Conservation and Community Resilience. IUCN WCPA Issues Paper No. 7. [Full Text]
Iorns, C., Leung, Y.-F., Cajiao, D., & Hotchkiss, C. (2024). IUCN Delegation to the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting; Kochi, India; May 20-30, 2024. Final delegation report submitted to IUCN.
Stolton, S., Ahlroth, P., Auvinen, A.-P., Dehmel, N., Dudley, N., Hošek,M., Lahti, K., Ross, B., & Leung, Y.-F. (2024). Management Effectiveness Evaluation of Finland’s Protected Areas 2023. Vantaa, Finland: Metsähallitus. [Full Report | Summary]
Leung, Y.-F., & McDade, C. (2024). Statistical Report of State Park Operations in the U.S.: 2021-2022. National Association of State Park Directors.
Leung, Y.-F., Menon, V., Cajiao, D., Reas, J., Epps, M., & Spadone, A. (2023). IUCN Delegation to the 45th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting; Helsinki, Finland; May 29-June 8, 2023. Final delegation report submitted to IUCN.
Leung, Y.-F., Cheung, J. S.-Y., & Smith, J. (2023). Statistical Report of State Park Operations in the U.S.: 2020-2021. National Association of State Park Directors.
Epps, M., Spadone, A., Leung, Y.-F., & Cajiao, D. (2022). IUCN Delegation to the 44th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting; Berlin, Germany; May 23-June 2, 2022. Final delegation report submitted to IUCN.
Leung, Y.-F., Cheung, J. S.-Y., & Smith, J. (2022). Statistical Report of State Park Operations in the U.S.: 2019-2020. National Association of State Park Directors.
Epps, M., Spadone, A., Leung, Y.-F., & Francis, E. (2021). IUCN Delegation to the 43rd Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting; Paris, France; June 14-24, 2021. Final delegation report submitted to IUCN.
Leung, Y.-F., Cheung, J. S.-Y., & Smith, J. (2021). Statistical Report of State Park Operations in the U.S.: 2018-2019. National Association of State Park Directors.
Leung, Y.-F., Cheung, J. S.-Y., & Smith, J. (2019). Statistical Report of State Park Operations in the U.S.: 2017-2018. National Association of State Park Directors.
Edwards, M. B., Walden-Schreiner, C., Oliphant, E., Blank, G., Leung, Y.-F., Seekamp, E., & McArdle, K. (2018). 2017 Public Lands Service Coalition Habitat Evaluation Report. Final report submitted to Conservation Legacy.
Edwards, M. B., Walden-Schreiner, C., Oliphant, E., Leung, Y.-F., Seekamp, E., Blank, G., & McArdle, K. (2018). 2017 Public Lands Service Coalition Trail Evaluation Report. Final report submitted to Conservation Legacy. [Full Text]
Leung, Y.-F., Walden-Schreiner, C., Miller, A., & Smith, J. (2018). Statistical Report of State Park Operations in the U.S.: 2016-2017. National Association of State Park Directors.

Recent Grants and Projects (Selected)

2023 – 2024, Using Leave No Trace principles and practices to enhance visitor use management at popular frontcountry recreation sites (co-P.I., Leave No Trace)
2023 – 2028, ANT-MICI: Developing knowledge and tools to minimize cumulative impacts on biodiversity and wilderness values in Antarctica (co-P.I., Dutch Research Council) [ project description ]
2023 – 2028, GUIDE-BEST: Growing understanding of individual drivers of expectations and behaviors to enhance sustainable tourism in Antarctica (co-P.I., Dutch Research Council) [ project description ]
2020 – 2022, Develop a collaborative research network and agenda for Antarctic tourism (P.I., Academic Consortium for the 21st Century)
2017 – 2018, Integrating K-12 curriculum, science and monitoring to inform wild horse public education in Cape Lookout National Seashore (co-P.I., USDI National Park Service)
2015 – 2018, Conservation Corps trail and habitat improvements evaluation (co-P.I., Conservation Legacy)
2006 – Present (continuing), Annual information exchange of U.S. state park operations (P.I., National Association of State Park Directors)

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