Recreational Carrying Capacity Studies In Yunmengshan National Forest Park

In recent two decades, outdoor recreation has grown significantly bringing economic benefits to destination, and causing many environmental and social impacts to the natural area. This study provides a management framework, a conceptual of VERP framework. Shifts the focus of accurate number from the application of traditional pHysical carry capacity procedures to a comprehensive approach linking resource and social indicators and standards. This approach includes an array of acceptable standards based on the ecological, social, psychological consideration of an area. It defines a point or level of impact that beyond which a visit is diminished by social impacts, ecological impacts, etc. This framework could assists management strategies designed to balance recreation uses with protection of the natural resources.The study area is Yunmengshan National Forest Park. First , Four management zones for the Park were identified and then reviewed by the park managers, they are developed zone, natural visiting zone, hiker zone and backcountry zone. These zones are based on the resource and visitor experience analysis. Indicators and standards are the important aspect for the VERP framework. In order to select resource and social indicators and standards which should be monitored for the park management zones, the author investigated and studied the impact of recreational disturbance on natural resources and social conditions. Statistical analyses included frequency distribution, chi-square, t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), factor analysis and multiple binary and multinomial logistic regression analysis.Trail survey demonstrated that there were erosion, unofficial trail, muddiness, tree root exposure and tree damage problems on the trail in the park. The problem of some trail segments in hiker zone is serious. Therefore, trail maintenance and design is important, but the suggestion is that focus of management should be on specific problem segments, rather than on trail systems. The major impact to soil in park recreation areas results from trampling. Trampling cause soil compaction, increased soil density, decrease organic matter and moisture, reduced infiltration rates, greater runoff, and increased erosion. To assessed the magnitude of impact on soil that varied in amount of use in the park, the author collected soil samples on the 1m, 3m, 5m and 50m undisturbed site from central line in different zones. By measuring soil density, organic matter and moisture and PH value, The result indicated that the more lightly used ground is less impacted than the more heavily used ground.To evaluate the effects of recreational disturbance on vegetation. The author selected six sites in different zones in the park. Every study site has control zone. Field data on species frequency, percent cover and multiple habitat variables were collected in the sample sites. Change in species composition...