Numerical visitor capacity: a guide to its use in wilderness

David N. Cole; Thomas Carlson

doi:10.2737/RMRS-GTR-247

Treesearch

Numerical visitor capacity: a guide to its use in wilderness

Informally Refereed

Authors:

David N. Cole, Thomas Carlson

Year:

2010

Type:

General Technical Report

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/RMRS-GTR-247

Source:

Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-247. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 20 p.

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Download (PDF 1.38 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/37213.pdf

Abstract

Despite decades of academic work and practical management applications, the concept of visitor capacity remains controversial and inconsistently operationalized. Nevertheless, there are situations where development of a numerical estimate of capacity is important and where not doing so has resulted in land management agencies being successfully litigated. This report is a guide to developing estimates of numerical visitor capacity, with particular emphasis on wilderness. It reviews capacity concepts, surveys available approaches to capacity determination, and outlines a generic process. Appendices provide information on relevant legislation and policy, as well as detailed examples and templates.

Keywords

carrying capacity, indicators, recreation use, standards, visitor use management

Citation

Cole, David; Carlson, Thomas. 2010. Numerical visitor capacity: a guide to its use in wilderness. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-247. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 20 p.