Research Note INT-RP-475
The Wilderness Threats Matrix: A Framework for Assessing Impacts
Conceptual Framework

Managers must be concerned about the impacts that potential threats have on attributes of wilderness character. These three terms are the basis of a conceptual model that can be applied in wilderness. I define threats as human activities or the consequences of human activities that have the potential to change wilderness conditions. These threats can cause impacts to wilderness attributes. Using this terminology, threats are the agents of change, while changes in wilderness conditions are impacts to attributes. This differs from the terminology of Machlis and Tichnell (1985), who apply the term "threat" to both the agent of change and the change itself.

The impacts caused by any single threat will differ depending on the attributes the threat impacts. For example, grazing's impacts on vegetation differ from grazing's impacts on native animals. The impacts of different threats on a single attribute will also differ. For example, the effects of air pollution on vegetation differ from the effects of fire suppression on vegetation. Consequently, managers need to understand the linkages between each significant potential threat and each individual wilderness attribute. Figure 1 displays linkages for eight potentially significant threats to wilderness. Other threats are represented as well. Finally, these potential threats will interact, causing cumulative impacts; the figure recognizes these interactions.

Separating the individual attributes of wilderness character is even more artificial than separating threats, because impacts occur at all spatial and temporal scales, and some of the most significant impacts affect interactions between attributes (such as plant-soil interactions). I have identified nine individual attributes, along with an interaction box.

The framework for organizing information is most conveniently displayed as a matrix (fig. 2), with the threats forming columns and the attributes forming rows. Each cell consists of the various impacts that each threat causes to each attribute. For simplicity, the interactions among threats are not included in the matrix. Interactions among wilderness attributes are an integral part of the ecosystems/landscapes attribute. In the future, highly significant cumulative threats (such as the combination of fire suppression and grazing) or interactions between attributes (such as those that take place during nutrient cycling) could be included in the matrix.

Threats

The following eight threats are considered the most significant threats to wilderness character. They are arranged from those that are primarily internal to those that are primarily external. These definitions were developed for Northern Region wildernesses but could be modified for wildernesses elsewhere.

Recreation-The threat comes from onsite recreational users, as well as actions taken to manage that use (such as trail construction).

Livestock-The threat is the grazing of livestock (primarily cattle and sheep) and their management (fencing, water supplies, and so on).

Mining-Both active and abandoned mines are potential threats.

Fire-In most wildernesses the suppression of natural fires is a primary threat. However, other threats related to fire include human-caused fires in the wilderness, suppression of fires that would otherwise have burned into the wilderness, and impacts caused by fire suppression activities.

Exotic Species-Exotic species have been intentionally and unintentionally introduced into wildernesses. Introduced plants, animals, and diseases are all concerns, as are actions taken to manage them, such as pesticide applications or biological control.

Water Projects-Dams and reservoirs occur in some wildernesses; their existence, operation, and maintenance can cause impacts. Other wildernesses are impacted by water impoundments and diversions upstream from the wilderness.

Atmospheric Pollutants-This threat is from airborne pollutants, usually generated outside the wilderness.

Adjacent Lands-Wilderness is threatened by a wide variety of activities that occur on lands adjacent to (and even some distance from) wilderness. Such activities include resource extraction, water pollution, habitat fragmentation, road development, and urban development.

Other-A long list of other threats could be compiled, including global climate change, scientific use of wilderness, aerial overflights, subsistence use of wilderness, and even other laws and mandates, such as the Clean Air Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act.

Not all of these will be significant threats to every wilderness. Some of these threats may not apply to certain wildernesses; some threats that haven't been included may apply to other wildernesses.

Attributes of Wilderness Character

Nine important attributes of wilderness character can be differentiated. These should apply to all wildernesses; important interactions also may need to be specified.

Air-This refers to the physical and chemical characteristics of the lower atmosphere, including visibility.

Aquatic Systems-This refers to the physical, chemical, and biological components of aquatic systems.

Rocks/Landforms-This includes mineral, rock, and landform features.

Soils-This refers to the physical, chemical, and biological components of soil systems.

Vegetation-This refers to the composition, structure, and function of terrestrial plants and plant communities, including processes such as succession.

Animals-This refers to the composition, structure, and function of terrestrial animals and animal communities, including processes such as migration.

Ecosystems/Landscapes-This refers to the composition, structure, and function of ecosystems, the interaction between individual attributes. It also refers to characteristics of systems at larger spatial scales, such as landscapes. This complex of attributes might be subdivided for certain purposes.

Cultural Resources-This includes the evidence of previous occupation and use by prehistoric and historic peoples, as well as the current values of indigenous peoples.

Wilderness Experiences-This refers to the opportunities that visitors have to experience solitude, to enjoy a primitive and unconfined type of recreation, and to realize spiritual and educational values. Managers are not responsible for providing these values; they are merely responsible for providing the opportunity.

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Title: Conceptual Framework: INT-RP-475 - The Wilderness Threats Matrix: A Framework for Assessing Impacts
Electronic Publish Date: October 31, 1996
Expires: Indefinite
Last Update: January 15, 2002

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