The impact of survivalism and bushcraft on woodlands—an attempt to problem recognition

Abstract In recent decades, the non-productive roles of forests—particularly their contributions to recreation and human well-being—have gained increasing prominence in developed countries. However, this shift also generates environmental impacts and presents new challenges for forest management. This study examines the impact of survivalism and bushcraft activities on forest ecosystems, with a focus on the Puszcza Niepołomicka forest in Poland. Given the limited recognition of this issue and the inherent difficulties in studying it, a novel method for assessing the intensity of survivalism and bushcraft impacts is proposed. An inventory of randomly selected points revealed traces of activities such as camping, fire lighting, and shelter construction in nearly 20% of the study plots, indicating significant human activity beyond designated areas. Moreover, survey data from 2024 (N = 214) highlighted a growing interest in survivalism and bushcraft, with many participants prioritizing activities potentially harmful to the environment. A comparison with data from 2016 demonstrates an increasing public interest in these activities, partly driven by sociopolitical events such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine. These findings underscore the need for forest management strategies that balance recreational use with environmental conservation.