Climate change and the demand for recreational ecosystem services on public lands in the continental United States

Cultural ecosystem services represent nonmaterial benefits people derive from the environment; these include outdoor recreation opportunities. Changes in climatic conditions are likely to shift spatial and temporal demand for recreational services. To date, little is known about magnitude variability shifts across large geographic extents. We use 14 years of geotagged social media data explore how climatological mean maximum temperature affects by season public lands continental United States. also investigate on may change 2050 under two climate scenarios, RCP 4.5 8.5. Across all U.S., expected decrease 18% summer, but increase 12% winter 5% spring, with no significant changes fall. There substantial variation projected region. In spring fall, some regions see an (e.g., Arkansas-Rio Grande-Texas-Gulf), while others will declines South Atlantic Gulf, California Great Basin). Our findings suggest total U.S. decline warming temperatures. However, there a amount where, when, much, change. The peak visiting lengthen as continues warm, declining summer growing off-season.