The Carrying Capacity of Wild Lands for Recreation

Abstract As increasing numbers of recreationists visit wild lands, some values are so diminished that many people have wondered if these lands have maximum carrying capacities at which recreational use should be limited. This study analyzes the carrying-capacity problem in terms of (1) the impact of the recreational environment on people, (2) the impact of people on the recreational environment, and (3) management procedures to modify these reciprocal impacts. The study includes an analysis of the human as well as the ecological and management considerations that must go into administrative decisions to limit recreational use. It also evaluates the probable effects of crowding on satisfaction of the needs and desires that motivate wildland activities. Ecological considerations include an experiment in which recreational foot traffic was simulated on a series of vegetated plots. Management considerations include zoning, engineering, interpretation, and persuasion. Ten conclusions are given. Among these are: (1) Recreational carrying capacity is not an absolute value inherent solely in the ecology and characteristics of each land area; (2) accepting limitation of use is only one of the costs that can be paid for quality recreation; (3) for some kinds of recreation, management procedures may permit high rates of use without a reduction in quality; and (4) relationships between vegetation, visitor use, and site factors can be described and used as tools for predicting the impact of visitors on recreation areas.