Carrying capacity and impact indicators: analysis and suggestions for sustainable tourism in protected areas – Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT Protected Areas (PA) are widely studied, especially related to effectiveness strategies for environmental conservation and ecotourism management. Research on tourism planning and management in natural environments is fundamental. Several methodologies have been created to obtain data for indicating guidelines for the management and planning of PA. This paper analyzes, discusses and makes complementary suggestions to the carrying capacity methodology developed by Cifuentes et al. (1999). Our aim was to lower the subjectivity content of Carrying Capacity (Cifuentes et al. 1999), and to incorporate several impact indicators in the monitoring process. Data were collected on Ibitipoca State Park trails in August 2018 and April 2019. Results demonstrated that flooding, soil surface degradation, exposed tree roots and canopy layer are core for carrying capacity visitors, totaling 959 tourists per day. Water quality was altered through the parameters: Specific Conductivity (966 mS/cm) and Total Dissolved Solids (624 mg/L) and Conductivity (173 mS/cm) and pH (3.69). The discussions and results highlight the need for a broader approach to the physical parameters, the adoption of qualitative variables, the increase of biological and ecological factors. Therefore, the analysis of the carrying capacity methodology aims to assist more comprehensive strategies integrated with planning and monitoring of PA.