1 Applying Carrying Capacity Concepts in Wilderness 1872 1964...shall be preserved for the use & enjoyment of the American people...in such manner as will leave them unimpaired for future generations... shall be administered for the use and enjoyment of the American people in such manner as will leave them unimpaired for future use as wilderness, and so as to provide for the protection of these areas, the preservation of their wilderness character CSS 490 -- Professor Ed Krumpe The Roots of Carrying Capacity The maximum number & density of animals a given unit of land can support on a sustained basis without destruction of the resource base. 1946-1947 No. of a Species Browse Deer Predators HRV Time 2
2 The Roots of Carrying Capacity Assumes a self-regulating system Consequence of exceeding carrying capacity is die-off Resource attributes were manipulated to increase capacity for desired species 3 Major Assumptions of Recreation Carrying Capacity The amount of impact to natural resources is related to the amount of human use. Decreasing the amount of use will decrease these impacts. Researchers can calculate the magic number of users, below which impacts will be acceptable. 4
3 The Problem with Recreation Carrying Capacity CC focuses on the wrong question. How many are too many? Implies a magical numerical fix. Reducing numbers of visitors may not reduce impacts! We want to manage for desired resource & social conditions. 5 It s not just about numbers... 6
4 7 8
5 Human Carrying Capacity The amount and type of use that an area can sustain over a given time period given goals to maintain the physical environment & the experience of the visitor. 9 5 Kinds of Limitations that Restrict Visitor Capacities Facilities Limitations Parking lots Trailheads Lodging Roads... 10
6 5 Kinds of Limitations Physical Limitations (landscape, topography) Canyons, Cliffs, Water, Shorelines... 11 5 Kinds of Limitations Ecological Limitations Sensitive areas that require special protection: T&E Species, Riparian areas, Fragile Soils... 12
7 5 Kinds of Limitations Social/Experiential Limitations Encounters, Crowding, Behavior... 13 5 Kinds of Limitations Seasonal Limitations (Climate/Season/Access) Short, concentrated use seasons are typical. Weather closures Fire conditions Access roads Climate change? 14
8 Different Kinds of Restrictions & Limitations are Interrelated Facilities Limitations Parking lots, Trailheads, Lodging, Roads... Physical Limitations Canyons, Cliffs, Water, Shorelines... Ecological Limitations T&E Species, Riparian areas, Soils... Social Limitations Encounters, Crowding, Behavior Seasonal Limitations Short, concentrated use seasons. Weather closures. Climate change Social Capacities 15 Seasonal Ecologically Sensitive Areas Physical Landscape Facilities Critical Limiting Factors Density independent factors Things which affect a population but which are not related to population density The weak link or anomaly which limits how a site is used for recreation Useable flat land, access, water, weather... In Wilderness, sometimes social factors are more limiting than physical or ecological factors. Solitude > Available space 16
9 Critical Limiting Factors 17 Why do we want to determine Recreation Carrying Capacity? Because of legal mandates & Because we want to control human recreation impacts! Because we want pass on healthy wildland ecosystems to future generations 18
10 Recreation s are Variable Vary with the type of use. Vary with the timing of use. Vary with the distribution of use. Vary with the environmental setting. Vary with mitigating actions taken by managers. Vary with people s expectations & norms. 19 Type of Use Less More Small groups Large groups Foot Stock Motorized Contemplative Competitive Extractive Minimal equipment required Day Use Equipment-Intensive Overnight 20
11 Timing of Use Less More Day use Dry season Weekday Off-season Short visit Shoulder season Overnight use Wet season Weekend Peak season Long visit 21 Distribution of Use Less More Concentrated use Dispersed use >200 ft. from shoreline <200 ft. from shoreline Away from trails Further from trailheads Along trails Near trailheads Further from roads Near roads Further from parking Near parking > 100 ft. from car < 100 ft. from car 22
12 Environmental Setting Less More Dry soil sites Moderate rainfall Sandy loams Rocky sites Foraging sites Grass-covered (wildlife habitat) 23 Wet soil sites Minimal rainfall Clays Shrub-covered Nesting sites Mitigating Actions by Managers Less More Limit Parking Increase Parking Paved Trails Gravel or Wood Chips Dirt Trails Trail Bridges Railings Ford stream crossings Require Low-impact Equipment Facility Closures Staffing Present Strict Enforcement Rest & Rotation 24 No Equipment Required No Closures Staffing Absent Little Enforcement
13 Recreation Carrying Capacity The amount and type of use that an area can sustain over a given time period, given goals to maintain the physical environment and the experience of the visitor. 25 Carrying Capacities Differ Very Satisfied 10 5 0 Sidewalk House Party Wilderness -5-10 Very 0 5 10 20 30 50 90 200 1000 Unsatisfied Number of People Encountered 26
14 Prerequisites for Defining Recreation Carrying Capacity Clear statement of Desired Future Conditions that include: Goals defining the experience that is to be sustained over time Goals describing the resource conditions that are to be sustained over time Definition of appropriate amount and type of use. 27 Managing within carrying capacity You do not manage to maintain a carrying capacity number You do manage to stay within a prescription of desired resource & social conditions. In other words, by managing to stay within desired resource & social conditions you are managing within the carrying capacity. 28