Field staff are establishing a permanent transect to measure changes in trail conditions along this trail. A self-leveling laser was used to set up the transect and the diagram illustrates how vertical measurements are collected to compute cross-sectional area soil loss measures.
Jeff Marion, Ph.D.
Jeff is a Research Biologist at the Eastern Ecological Science Center at Blacksburg, VA.
Jeff Marion grew up exploring the woods, streams, and caves of Kentucky, developing strong interests in nature study and high adventure outdoor activities. One of four Eagle Scouts in his family, he served for five summers at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, teaching backpacking and climbing skills. Coursework in biology, ecology, and geology at Wittenberg University led to a B.S. in Biology (1979), and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Recreation Resources Management from the University of Minnesota (1982/84). Graduate studies focused on recreation ecology research, combining strong personal interests in the ecological sciences with his continuing passion for outdoor recreational pursuits, particularly backpacking, climbing, caving, and canoeing. His doctoral research measured camping-associated environmental impacts in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to investigate relationships between biophysical impacts, amount ofuse, and plant community, soil, and ecological classifications.
Professional Experience
8/97-2001 - DOI, U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Title: Research Biologist Duties: Unit Leader for the PWRC Virginia Tech Field Station. Conducted recreation ecology research to evaluate visitor impacts to protected natural areas.
11/94-7/97 - DOI, National Biological Survey, Div. of Cooperative Research, Blacksburg, VA Title: Research Biologist Duties: Unit Leader, Cooperative Park Studies Unit. Conducted recreation ecology research.
6/85-10/94 - DOI, National Park Service, Mid-Atlantic Region Title: Research Biologist Duty Stations: 1) Virginia Tech; Blacksburg, VA and 2) Delaware Water Gap NRA; Milford, PA Dates: 1) 10/89-10/94 2) 6/85-9/89 Duties: Unit Leader, Cooperative Park Studies Unit (when at VT). Conducted recreation ecology research.
12/84-5/85 - University of Wisconsin, Park, Recreation & Resource Management program, River Falls, WI Title: Assistant Professor
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Recreation Resources Management, 3/82-7/84, Univ. of Minnesota - Forest Resources
M.S. Recreation Resources Management, 9/80-3/82, Univ. of Minnesota - Forest Resources
Environmental Science, 9/79-6/80, Duke University - School of the Environment (transferred)
B.A. Biology, 9/75-6/79, Wittenberg University
Science and Products
Sustainable Management of Campsites: Research on the Appalachian and Pacific Crest National Scenic Trails
Sustainably Designed Trails: Recent Recreation Ecology Findings on Design Factors Affecting Soil Loss
Research and Management of Informal (Visitor-Created) Trails in Protected Areas
Assessing Recreational Impact to Cliff Habitats and Rare Plants
Field staff are establishing a permanent transect to measure changes in trail conditions along this trail. A self-leveling laser was used to set up the transect and the diagram illustrates how vertical measurements are collected to compute cross-sectional area soil loss measures.
Three field staff assessing trail conditions at one of more than 3000 trail transects along the Appalachian Trail. This transect sampled a rare mudhole in Vermont.
Three field staff assessing trail conditions at one of more than 3000 trail transects along the Appalachian Trail. This transect sampled a rare mudhole in Vermont.
Trail sustainability broadly defined
Invasive plant hitchhikers: Appalachian Trail thru-hiker knowledge and attitudes of invasive plants and Leave No Trace practices
Modeling areal measures of campsite impacts on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail to enhance ecological sustainability
Leave no trace communication: Effectiveness based on assessments of resource conditions
Application of airborne LiDAR and GIS in modeling trail erosion along the Appalachian Trail, New Hampshire, USA
The influence of layout on Appalachian Trail soil loss, widening, and muddiness: Implications for sustainable trail design and management
Informing planning and management through visitor experiences in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Recreational impacts to wildlife: Managing visitors and resources to protect wildlife
Mapping the relationships between trail conditions and experiential elements of long-distance hiking
Conflicting messages about camping near waterbodies in wilderness: A review of the scientific basis and need for flexibility
Understanding and mitigating wilderness therapy impacts: The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument case study
Applying recreation ecology science to sustainably manage camping impacts: A classification of camping management strategies
Science and Products
Sustainable Management of Campsites: Research on the Appalachian and Pacific Crest National Scenic Trails
Sustainably Designed Trails: Recent Recreation Ecology Findings on Design Factors Affecting Soil Loss
Research and Management of Informal (Visitor-Created) Trails in Protected Areas
Assessing Recreational Impact to Cliff Habitats and Rare Plants
Field staff are establishing a permanent transect to measure changes in trail conditions along this trail. A self-leveling laser was used to set up the transect and the diagram illustrates how vertical measurements are collected to compute cross-sectional area soil loss measures.
Field staff are establishing a permanent transect to measure changes in trail conditions along this trail. A self-leveling laser was used to set up the transect and the diagram illustrates how vertical measurements are collected to compute cross-sectional area soil loss measures.
Three field staff assessing trail conditions at one of more than 3000 trail transects along the Appalachian Trail. This transect sampled a rare mudhole in Vermont.
Three field staff assessing trail conditions at one of more than 3000 trail transects along the Appalachian Trail. This transect sampled a rare mudhole in Vermont.