Abstract
Understanding if and how hikers recognize the effects of sika deer (Cervus nippon) browsing on alpine and subalpine vegetation is fundamental to obtaining public support for implementing alpine environmental conservation practices. A questionnaire survey given to hikers visiting Minami Alps National Park revealed that almost one-third of hikers did not know of, or recognize, the impact of deer grazing. More experienced hikers were likely to know of, and recognize, the impact, and they tended to notice the impact of sika deer while hiking. This survey suggested that environmental education and publicity should target less experienced hikers as part of a general publicity campaign.
