Ecotourism-Based Sustainable Landscape Planning for Giresun Island: A Carrying Capacity Approach

Giresun Island (Aretias), located in the Black Sea and designated as a second-degree archaeological and natural protected area, possesses significant ecological, historical, and cultural values. However, increasing tourism demand and environmental pressures pose threats to the island’s ecological integrity. This study aims to develop a sustainable tourism strategy for Giresun Island based on ecotourism principles and landscape conservation. A mixed-methods approach included field observation, literature review, expert interviews, and spatial analysis. The carrying capacity of the island was assessed using the three-tier model proposed by Cifuentes (1992), including Physical Carrying Capacity (PCC), Real Carrying Capacity (RCC), and Effective Carrying Capacity (ECC). The results indicate that while the PCC allows for up to 2,250 visitors per day, the RCC and ECC reduce this number to approximately 547 and 314 visitors/day, respectively, when environmental, infrastructural, and management constraints are considered. The study also identifies strategic planning measures, including seasonal zoning, infrastructure compatible with ecological limits, and local stakeholder participation. These findings provide a practical framework for balancing tourism development and environmental protection in fragile island ecosystems. Giresun Island is a valuable model for implementing ecotourism-based landscape planning and sustainable visitor management in culturally and ecologically sensitive areas.