SOCIAL CARRYING-CAPACITY OF NATURAL AREAS - THEORY AND APPLICATION INTHE US NATIONAL-PARKS

Concern over increasing visitor use of natural areas such as national parks has focused attention on the concept of carrying capacity. Resea rch and management experience suggests that carrying capacity has both biological and social components. Moreover, carrying capacity might b e addressed most effectively through identification of indicators and standards of quality. Monitoring of indicator variables would ensure t hat standards of quality are not violated. Using this approach, the U. S. National Park Service recently designed a carrying capacity-related planning framework called Visitor Experience and Resource Protection (VERP). This planning framework was pilot-tested at Arches National Pa rk through a program of social science research, Based on this researc h, a series of indicators and standards of quality were identified, a long-term monitoring program is being implemented, and management acti ons are being undertaken. The VERP process is now being refined and ma y serve as a model for the rest of the U.S. National Park System and r elated natural areas.