Applying Carrying Capacity Concepts in Wilderness...shall be preserved for the use & enjoyment of the American people...in such manner as will leave them unimpaired for future generations... CSS 490 Professor Ed Krumpe 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 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 Time HRV 2 The Roots of Carrying Capacity Assumes a self-regulating system Consequence of exceeding carrying capacity is die-off Resource attributes often manipulated to increase capacity for desired species Major Assumptions of The amount of impact is related to the amount of use. Decreasing the amount of use will decrease the impacts. Researchers can calculate the magic number of users, below which impacts will be acceptable. 3 4 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. 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. 6 1
that Affect Visitor Capacities Facilities Restrictions Parking lots Trailheads Lodging Roads... Physical Restrictions(landscape, topography) Canyons, Cliffs, Water, Shorelines... 7 8 Ecological Restrictions Sensitive areas that require special protection: T&E Species, Riparian areas, Fragile Soils... Social/Experiential Restrictions Encounters, Crowding, Behavior... 9 10 Different Kinds of Restrictions are Interrelated Climate/Season/Access Short, concentrated use seasons. Weather closures. Climate change 11 Facilities Restrictions Parking lots, Trailheads, Lodging, Roads... Physical Restrictions Canyons, Cliffs, Water, Shorelines... Ecological Restrictions T&E Species, Riparian areas, Soils... Social Restrictions Encounters, Crowding, Behavior Climate/Season/Access Short, concentrated use seasons. Weather closures. Climate change Social Capacities Climate/ Season/ Access Ecologically Sensitive Areas Physical Landscape Facilities 12 2
Critical Limiting Factors 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 h limits i 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. 13 14 Why do we want to determine? Because of legal mandates & Because we want to control recreation impacts! Because we want pass on healthy wildland ecosystems to future generations Recreation s are Variable Vary with the type of use. Vary with the timing of use. Vary with the distribution ib ti of use. Vary with the environmental setting. Vary with mitigating actions taken by managers. Vary with people s expectations & norms. 1 16 Type of Use Timing of Use Small groups Large groups Foot Stock Motorized Contemplative Competitive Extractive Minimal equipment required Day Use Equipment-Intensive Overnight Day use Dry season Weekday Off-season Short visit Shoulder season Overnight use Wet season Weekend Peak season Long visit 17 18 3
Distribution of Use Environmental Setting Concentrated use Dispersed use >200 ft. from shoreline <200 ft. from shoreline Away from trails Along trails Further from trailheads Near trailheads Further from roads Near roads Dry soil sites Moderate rainfall Sandy loams Rocky sites Grass-covered Wet soil sites Minimal rainfall Clays Shrub-covered Further from parking Near parking > 100 ft. from car < 100 ft. from car 19 Foraging sites (wildlife habitat) Nesting sites 20 Mitigating Actions by Managers 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 No Equipment Required No Closures Staffing Absent Little Enforcement 21 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. 22 Carrying Capacities Differ Prerequisites for Defining Very Satisfied 10 0 - -10 Very 0 10 20 30 0 90 200 1000 Unsatisfied Sidewalk House Party Wilderness Number of People Encountered 23 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. 24 4
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. 2