Experiments need to be designed that isolate factors that influence success. Some of the most prominent lines of needed research include. Although much work has been done on this subject, many questions remain. We know little about impacts on belowground systems, animals, and aquatic systems or about the significance of impacts at large spatial scales. Certain ecosystem types have been little studied and few long-term studies have been conducted.
Further work is needed on factors that influence the magnitude of impact.
The efficacy of alternative management strategies needs further attention. What factors limit natural recovery processes on damaged sites. We need an improved understanding of how recreational activities disrupt the conditions, function and, therefore, the natural recuperative abilities of ecosystems. The nature and severity of disturbance undoubtedly varies with perturbation type and between ecosystem types. Consequently, research is needed on trails, campsites, old roads, and other localized disturbance types.