Carrying Capacity

Question 1

What is carrying capacity

Answer 1

Carrying capacity refers to the amount of activity that can be accommodated in that site without incurring unsustainable impact

Question 2

Management strategies as outlined by Weaver (2008) that can be used to manage visitor distribution in protected areas

Answer 2

SITE HARDENING AND SOFTENING - The process by which fixed carrying capacity is increased. It can include, for examples, the construction of walking trails, toilets, and interpretation centres. However this can backfire and increase visitation above manageable levels (e.g. 95-5 rule).

VISITATION QUOTAS AND FEES – Used to limit the number of visitors in areas where fixed carrying capacities apply

WILDLIFE VIEWING AND ACCESS RESTRICTIONS – direct human contact with wildlife can cause stress to animals / fauna, therefore access restriction are put into place to minimize this, e.g. approach distance and distance from feeding and nesting sites.

VISITOR EDUCATION - Education can play important role in mitigating the effects of human-induced environmental degradation or inappropriate behaviour and thus increase carrying capacity