Impact and management of visitor pressure on rocky intertidal algal communities

Human trampling was investigated in order to quantify the ‘recreational carrying capacity’ of two rocky intertidal areas in northeast England. 2. Estimation of ‘recreational carrying capacity’ was made by subjecting experimental plots in pristine areas of shore to different intensities of sustained trampling. The algal community was subsequently monitored for 16 months. 3. Changes in algal community composition occurred at both sites at all intensities. Compositional changes were rapid (1–2 months) and timing was dependent on both trampling intensity and site. 4. Trampling resulted in consistently reduced abundances of some species, for example fucoids, Phymatolithon lenormandii and turf species. 5. Open space was present in greater quantities in trampled than untrampled plots. In the summer months, this was subsequently colonized primarily by Enteromorpha spp. 6. ‘Recreational carrying capacity’ is being exceeded in some areas at both sites in the summer months. Possible management strategies are discussed in the light of these experimental results. copy 1996 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.