Understanding Visitor Perception of Artificial Light at Night in Natural Areas: A Study of Visitor Experience in Determining a Light Level Threshold
Open Access
- Author:
- Crump, Morgan
- Graduate Program:
- Recreation, Park and Tourism Management (MS)
- Degree:
- Master of Science
- Document Type:
- Master Thesis
- Date of Defense:
- February 15, 2023
- Committee Members:
- Peter Newman, Program Head/Chair
Brendan Derrick Taff, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor
Alan R Graefe, Committee Member
Peter Newman, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor - Keywords:
- artificial light at night
visitor experience
protected areas
lighting levels - Abstract:
- A natural dark night sky is becoming more and more rare due to the introduction of anthropogenic light across human occupied landscapes. Even some of our most protected natural areas, U.S. national parks, are not spared from the encroachment of artificial light at night (ALAN). ALAN plays many roles in protected areas. From guiding visitors to comfort stations to lighting walkways and signage, light is a necessary component of the human experience in parks. However, how much light is necessary to serve these human needs? How do we balance human lighting needs and preferences while also being cognizant of the impact of ALAN on the natural world outside of human function? It is true that anthropogenic light sources threaten night sky visibility in National Parks, which protect some of the only remaining pristine night skies in the United States; However, light at night for humans often translates to feelings of safety, an opportunity to extend daytime recreation, and the ability to see their immediate surroundings at night. With this, there is a need to determine what level of light is needed for human use of natural spaces at night while also being cognizant of the impacts of lighting on the natural environment. A substantial amount of the existing literature examines the effect of ALAN on the environment, but outside of health impacts, does not look at the human need for light in these same spaces. This thesis aims to explore how visitors in natural areas perceive artificial light at night while determining their preference lighting conditions in natural spaces. The following thesis will outline visitor preference for artificial light in a natural area in relation to intensity and spectra based off an on-site visitor survey in the Pennsylvania State University Arboretum. Participants indicated a significant preference for amber light in natural areas at night as well as for an intensity preference lower that previously noted in the existing literature. This thesis seeks to guide how low managers can go in relation to lighting in parks and protected areas.