Ecological and social perspectives on the management of outdoor sports : the case of bouldering in the Frankenjura, Germany

Title data

Paulus, Sofie ; Lohmann, Julia ; Roder, Veronika ; Audorff, Volker ; Zvigule, Alise ; Steinbauer, Manuel:
Ecological and social perspectives on the management of outdoor sports : the case of bouldering in the Frankenjura, Germany.
In: Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism. Vol. 53 (2026) . - 100985.
ISSN 2213-0799
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jort.2025.100985

Project information

Abstract in another language

Bouldering is gaining popularity worldwide, but when practised outdoors, it can threaten local ecosystems and cause social conflicts, requiring effective management. In the Frankenjura region, one of Europe's most renowned climbing areas, the “Boulderappell” recommends specific behaviors to mitigate such impacts. However, this agreement remains controversial due to limited means of regulating or communicating bouldering-related information.
The objectives of this study were twofold: first, to provide an overview of the social and ecological issues associated with bouldering and the Boulderappell; and second, to analyze the perspective of key stakeholders regarding bouldering management in the Frankenjura (Study A) and the Boulderappell's reception among active boulderers (Study B).
In Study A, semi-structured interviews were conducted with local stakeholders (n = 10) to qualitatively capture their perspectives on social and environmental conflicts. Study B comprised a standardized survey administered in three bouldering gyms, with a sample of n = 206 active boulderers.
A key mechanism of the Boulderappell is the restriction of public access to information about outdoor bouldering. While this non-publication strategy is perceived as effective in limiting visitor numbers, it excludes those without insider knowledge and hampers communication. 61 % of surveyed outdoor boulderers were aware of the Boulderappell, and nearly one-third expressed indifference or approval of prohibited practices such as cave bouldering. Overall, stakeholders emphasised the need for more transparent and inclusive dialogue. While the applied management appears insufficient to effectively mitigate social conflicts or ecological impacts, the findings thoughtfully underscore the trade-offs between secrecy-based and open communication approaches.