A study of ecosystem services that draw users to Tombstone Territorial Park and a review of potential conflict areas

Abstract

This study is an evaluation of the ecosystem services (ES) in Yukon's Tombstone Territorial Park (TTP), the spatial distribution of those ES and the location of potential user conflict areas within the park. Cultural ecosystem services literature informed and supported the study design and results. A mixed-methods approach involving surveys, interviews and geographic information systems analysis was adopted for this study. Park visitors identified food, raw material, fresh water, medicine and habitat, among others as ES they seek to obtain from TTP. The spatial distribution of ES was collected through a mapping exercise and presented in a series of seven maps. ES were identified throughout the entire park, with higher concentrations along highway accessible areas, and backcountry areas developed for recreational use. The study found that use of an area by multiple user groups occurs primarily along the Dempster highway at road accessible locations.