The impacts of different visitor management strategies on wildlife activity in a popular desert nature reserve

Water sources in desert ecosystems are critical for wildlife survival, but they may also attract thousands of visitors, creating potential conflicts between humans and wildlife. Effective management strategies are essential to support human-wildlife coexistence in these fragile arid environments, allowing for sustainable tourism while minimizing human impact. However, data on wildlife responses to visitors and on the effectiveness of management strategies remain limited. In this study, we evaluated two management approaches: limiting visitor numbers and establishing visitor-free zones. We placed six camera traps around water pools in a highly visited nature reserve in a hyper-arid region. Cameras were set in both accessible and restricted areas during the summer of 2023. A temporary closure of the reserve following a tragic rockfall provided a unique opportunity to assess the effects of reduced visitation. Our findings revealed species-specific responses to visitor presence. Nubian ibex (Capra nubiana) reduced activity when more visitors were present, but only in accessible zones. Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) increased activity in high-visitor areas. Rock hyraxes (Procavia capensis) preferred restricted zones regardless of visitor numbers, while Blanford's foxes (Vulpes cana) reduced activity with increased human presence regardless of the location. Arabian wolves (Canis lupus arabs) and Indian crested porcupines (Hystrix indica) showed little or no response. Despite these varied patterns, most species preferred drinking in areas with fewer visitors. These results highlight the importance of combining management strategies to protect a broad range of species. At the same time, they emphasize the need to clearly define conservation targets in nature reserves to guide and prioritize effective management actions accordingly.